La representación de la sexualidad vegetal enLas bodas de las plantas de José de Viera y Clavijo

Abstract

The objective of the article is to analyse the way the sexuality of plants is presented in the poem Las bodas de las plantas by José de Viera y Clavijo (1731-1813). The author of this didactic poem written in the early 19th century refers to some aspects of Linnaeus’ taxonomic system founded on the concept of “nuptiae plantarum” (the marriages of plants). We argue that Viera’s description of the anatomy and physiology of the plant’s reproductive parts, albeit reflecting scientific knowledge of his time, possessed some unique features. In particular, depicting the deeply sexualized portrait of the second kingdom that emerges from the Linnaeus’ treatises, the Spanish author tries to “save” the “innocence” of the plants, following a long tradition of their representation in the Western culture. To this end, he complements the picture of plants’ sexuality and reproduction by the idea of plants’ maternity.

Keywords

• jose de viera y clavijo
• scientific poetry
• plant sexuality
• 18 th century poetry