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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

661. Study of Japanese Chrysanthemums and Dwarfed Pine

The Japanese delight in dwarfing normally big trees ; and they have brought the art to such a degree of perfection that they can keep them down to the size of the one represented to a very considerable age. In this condition they are perfect miniatur

© RBG KEW

Art, Artist, Big Tree, Chrysanthemums, Dwarfed Pine, Flowers, Japanese, Leaves, Marianne North, Orange, Painting, Purple, White

Henry Ridley and rubber tree, Singapore

Extension of original cutting on an old Para rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis - Henry Ridley ('Rubber Ridley') and rubber tree, tapped for latex. HNR/1/2/6/3 Henry Ridley was director of the Singapore Botanic Garden from 1888 to 1911. Through his expertise and ecouragement, and with rubber trees that had been trees sent from Kew in 1877, the Malaysian rubber plantation industry was established. Today most of the world's rubber comes from plantations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

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