Why did Carolus Linnaeus’s sexual system become popular in Europe?

Carolus Linnaeus’s "sexual system" of biological classification gained widespread popularity in Europe primarily due to its remarkable practicality in identifying plants based on the number and arrangement of their stamens and pistils.1

Beyond its utility, the system’s success was bolstered by its provocative nature. Linnaeus framed his classification using anthropomorphic metaphors, referring to plant reproductive organs as "husbands and wives." This approach introduced erotic connotations and allusions to contemporary gender relations that captured the public imagination.1

The system’s cultural influence was further cemented by prominent figures who utilized it in their work. For instance, Jean-Jacques Rousseau employed the system in his botanical letters, while Erasmus Darwin incorporated it into his poem "The Botanic Garden." The latter famously sparked controversy among contemporaries due to the explicit nature of its passages, highlighting how the system’s blend of scientific rigor and suggestive imagery contributed to its fame.1