Hundreds of years ago one of the world’s most influential scientists sent his botany students all over the world to search for new plants that could be used in medicine and as food.
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus - who invented the system we use today for naming plants and animals – instigated voyages of discovery that brought back to Europe plants from all over the world.
One of the British explorers was Aberdeen born Francis Masson but there were other Scots plant voyagers too.
And those plant hunters and their perilous journeys will be highlighted over the next fortnight in the latest in a series of University of Aberdeen celebrations marking the tercentenary of Linnaeus' birth.
Staff from the University's Natural History Centre are staging their Scottish Plant Hunter sessions aimed at children at the city's David Welch Winter Gardens in the Duthie Park. These begin today.
Education Officer Marie Fish said: "It is a celebration of the bravery and determination of the Scottish men who overcame terrible dangers - from wild bears to malaria carrying mosquitoes - in order to bring back wonderful plants that we now see and enjoy everyday around our city.
"These men, including Aberdeen's own Francis Masson, were huge characters. They travelled thousands of miles on foot, were often attacked or robbed, were at the mercy of extreme weather and they were often in danger of being tortured and killed in local wars or uprisings.
"We will be looking at the plants and animals from the countries these Scottish Explorers visited.
"There will be trails through the David Welch Winter Garden looking at some of the treasures that these plant hunters discovered and we will also have microscopes to take a closer look at some of the beasties and flowers that these men encountered.
"There will also be a craft table where our young explorers can make souvenirs to take home with them."
The sessions, sponsored by Aberdeen City Council, are free and run daily between 10am and 4pm from today until August 3. Children can just drop in but they must be accompanied by an adult.