A 19th-century female botanist from Truro collected plants from four continents and understood her native Fal Estuary so well — especially its seaweed — Kew Gardens celebrates her as one of the most valued contributors.

Elizabeth Andrew Warren was born in Truro, spent most of her life in Flushing and died in Kea. She’s the subject of Truro Civic Society’s talk on Tuesday, February 18, delivered by Guy English at the Moresk Centre, St Clement Street.

An educator and a published writer who was part of the energetic community, Miss Warren – as she was known at Kew - was inspired by Darwin, and became a largely unsung heroine of the natural sciences.

Guy English retired to Cornwall some years ago and embarked with his late wife on a personal journey of discovery to view and describe all of Cornwall’s holy wells. This followed a project to describe the exotic gardens of Cornwall, during which they discovered Miss Warren’s work.

“We could not help but develop our interest in plants and those in Cornwall who studied, collected and contributed to the worldwide body of knowledge about how this great organism of Earth actually works,” he said.

“Thus, we came across the fascinating ‘Miss Warren’. My talk is about how her journey entwined itself into ours in a most inspiring manner.”

Truro Civic Society chairman Malcolm Bell said: “We look forward to hearing about a Truro woman who played such an important part in the early days of botany, and whose story has not been heard for many years.

“Historians, gardeners, educationalists and Truronians are all welcome to come and discover what Mr English has learned, and how that has affected his personal Cornish journey.”

The free talk will begin at 2.30pm. Entry is free. Email bookings can be made at [email protected]