On the Trail of the scientia plantarum: an Analysis of the Sources of Albert the Great's De vegetabilibus

Abstract

This article proposes an analysis of the sources used in Albert the Great’s De vegetabilibus to explain the compilative strategy with which the Dominican master tries to reconstruct the botanical science. Following a classification of the genres, the main encyclopaedic, lexicographical, medical and pharmacological sources that influenced the work of the doctor universalis are listed. It is also aimed at analysing the interest that motivates Albert’s content choices. In this way, the work is put in relation to the main texts that constituted the botanical panorama, outlining the innovation of its contribution.