Abstract
Botanical gardens are considered the heirs of medieval arboretum (useful for learning about the curative properties of medicinal herbs, but subject to the control of religious monasteries). As well as they show a new approach that was distinctly related to Renaissance. Indeed, in 1500s Italy, knowledge of the use of plants and their products (flowers, fruits, seeds) moved from monasteries to the cultural and scientific vibrancy of universities. Examples of this are the two main states of Renaissance Italy: Tuscany and the Republic of Venice. Indeed, botanical gardens were established in Pisa and Padua to bring back the control of medicinal plants to public institutions, in a sort of public health protection. In particular, it was important to bring under control the production and trade of poisonous and deadly plants, considered silent weapons. However, as colonialism expanded, the role of the botanical garden changed. The model was adopted by the new colonial powers, first by the Dutch, later by the British. The point was no longer to have control over poisons and medicinal effects but to study and understand how to produce marketable goods such as exotic spices and plants as efficiently as possible. The purpose of this abstract is to understand how, through these laboratories of knowledge, it was possible to find the basis for the rules of international trade in exotic goods. On the other hand, it could be investigated how this approach still influences legal debate today, particularly concerning the protection of cultural heritage and biodiversity.