Botanical Art Gallery

Crassula saxifraga Harv

Original illustration from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, published as plate 6068, 1st November 1873. Watercolour and pencil on paper. The specimen figured is from tubers collected in South Africa. According to J.D. Hooker, this species has a wide South African distribution, being found on mountain sides from the extreme south-west, as on the Muysenberg mountain, near Simon's bay, to Port Elizabeth and Albany

© RBG KEW

Zamioculcas boivinii, Dcne

Original illustration from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, published as plate 6026, 1st April 1873. Watercolour and pencil on paper. Kirk had collected dried specimens previous to the living specimens he sent to Kew of this species in 1872, when accompanying Livingstone on his second expedition, in 1861. These dried specimens were collected from the banks of the Shire river, opposite the rapids of Zedzani

© RBG KEW

Calanthe versicolor, 1838

Watercolour on paper. Original drawing for plate XLII in John Lindley's 'Sertum orchidaceum: a wreath of the most beautiful orchidaceous flowers; selected by John Lindley', published in 1838. Illustration shows part monochromatic, part colour study of leaves and flowers. Side figure represents lip and ovary with the sepals and petals cut away. Inscribed in pencil by Miss Drake along top edge, 'The upper bracts slightly hairy, sweet scented', and 'Sion Gardens Aug. 31 18..'[date has been cropped]. There is a semi-circular blob of red paint or possibly sealing wax on the top edge of drawing. Also inscribed in a different hand 'Rec'd. 15.9.1925' lower right corner. Drawing taken from flower held in the collection of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland at Sion. According to Lindley's publication 'It is a native of the East Indies, whence it has also been sent from the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, to the Horticultural Society'

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew