From Historical Diaries to Botanical Legacies: Uncovering Plant Introductions in Brazil by the Assis Brasil Family at the Castle of Pedras Altas

The Castle of Pedras Altas, in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, was home to the Assis Brasil family, an influential lineage in the country’s modern political and cultural history. The diaries of Cecília de Assis Brasil, daughter of the diplomat and politician Joaquim Francisco de Assis Brasil, provide historical records of the family’s botanical collections, and efforts to introduce and adapt exotic plants in the country. This study identified, catalogued, and classified 33 cultivated plant species mentioned in the diaries, analyzing their origins, uses, and socioeconomic significance. Notably, six species were found to have their first documented records of introduction and cultivation in Brazil based on the diaries, and three others revealed previously unreported historical data. In addition, botanical illustrations were created for these nine species to aid scientific communication and cultural heritage preservation. These visuals enhance species recognition and raise public awareness about the botanical legacy of the Assis Brasil family for the technification of Brazilian modern agriculture. By integrating historical documents, botanical research, and illustration, this study reveals the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for understanding plant introductions and promoting biocultural conservation, while highlighting the unexploited value of personal narratives in agricultural and biodiversity research.