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Botany Collection

Background imageBotany Collection: Livistona chinensis, ca 18th century

Livistona chinensis, ca 18th century
Watercolour of Livistona chinensis, commonly known as Chinese fan or fountain palm, by unknown Asian artist, Company Art, Kew Collection, 18th century

Background imageBotany Collection: Fallopia japonica - Japanese Knotweed

Fallopia japonica - Japanese Knotweed
Tab.6503. - Fallopia japonica as Polygonum cuspidatum the original illustration is by Anne Barnard, watercolour on paper, 1880; The plate, 6503, was published in Curtiss Botanical Magazine

Background imageBotany Collection: Seedlings of Cinchona succirubra, India, 1861

Seedlings of Cinchona succirubra, India, 1861
Seedlings of Cinchona succirubra, photographed on arrival in Ootacamund, southern India, 9 April 1861. Collected by Richard Spruce in Ecuador, the plants were received by WIlliam McIvor

Background imageBotany Collection: The Rhododendron Dell, Kew Gardens

The Rhododendron Dell, Kew Gardens
19th century photograph of The Rhododendron Dell, Kew Gardens. Originally Capability Browns " Hollow Walk" it was created in 1773 and planted with rhododendrons in 1850

Background imageBotany Collection: Corypha taliera, c 1795 - 1804

Corypha taliera, c 1795 - 1804
Illustration of Corypha taliera, by unknown Indian artist, 1795 - 1804. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh, Kew Collection, c. 1795 - 1804

Background imageBotany Collection: Punica granatum, L. (Common Pomegranate), 1817

Punica granatum, L. (Common Pomegranate), 1817
Original illustration of Punica granatum, commonly known as pomegranate, on watercolour and pencil on paper, from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, published as plate 1832B, 1st July 1817

Background imageBotany Collection: Spider Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828

Spider Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828
Wood block print and manuscript on paper, Japan, 1828. The wood block prints meassure approximately 25 cm in height. The wood block print is from Honzo Zufu or Illustrated manual of medicinal plants

Background imageBotany Collection: Cinera cum flore, 1613

Cinera cum flore, 1613
Illustration of Cinera cum flore, Cynara species, from Hortus Eystettensis, by Basilius Besler, 1613, volume 2

Background imageBotany Collection: Fructus artischochi, 1613

Fructus artischochi, 1613
Illustration of Fructus artischochi, currently accepted as Cynara cardunculus, commonly known as artichoke. Artwork from Hortus Eystettensis by Basilius Besler, 1613, volume 2

Background imageBotany Collection: Carl von Linnaeus, Swedish botanist and taxonomist

Carl von Linnaeus, Swedish botanist and taxonomist
Swedish botanist and taxonomist Carl von Linnaeus (Carolus von Linnaeus, later Carl von Linne) 1707-1778. Artist: Mrs Anderson (fl. 1858)

Background imageBotany Collection: Davidia involucrata Plantae Davidianae by Franchet, 1888

Davidia involucrata Plantae Davidianae by Franchet, 1888
Illustration of Davidia involucrata, commonly known as handkerchief tree from Plantae Davidianae: Plantes du Thibet Oriental by M.A Franchet, Part II, t.10. 1888

Background imageBotany Collection: Zingiber officinale, 1887

Zingiber officinale, 1887
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, from Köhler's Medizinal Pflanzen by Franz Eugen Köhler, 1887, volume 2, plate 202

Background imageBotany Collection: Foliage, Flowers, and Seed-vessels of a rare West Australian Shrub, 1880

Foliage, Flowers, and Seed-vessels of a rare West Australian Shrub, 1880
Foliage, Flowers, and Seed-vessels of a rare West Australian Shrub by Marianne North, 1880. Painting number 751

Background imageBotany Collection: Mesembryanthemum simplex, 1793

Mesembryanthemum simplex, 1793
Watercolour and pencil on paper by Francis Masson, 1793. Field sketch made by Masson in the Cape of Good Hope

Background imageBotany Collection: Iris bulbosa latifolia, 1757

Iris bulbosa latifolia, 1757
Gouache painting on vellum of Iris latifolia with a moth by Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-1770), signed and dated 1757. The painting is from the Tankerville Collection, purchased 1934

Background imageBotany Collection: Aloe mitriformis, 1810

Aloe mitriformis, 1810
Original illustration of Aloe mitriformis, from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, published as plate 1270, 1st March 1810. The currently accepted plant name is Aloe perfoliata

Background imageBotany Collection: Victoria amazonica

Victoria amazonica
Detail of Victoria amazonica leaves, RBG Kew. This plant is the largest of the Nymphaeaceae family of water lilies

Background imageBotany Collection: Nathaniel Wallich FRS (28 January 1786 - 28 April 1854)

Nathaniel Wallich FRS (28 January 1786 - 28 April 1854)
Drawn by Daniel Macnee, coloured chalk on paper, mounted on card. Illustration of Nathaniel Wallich FRS (28 January 1786 - 28 April 1854) a surgeon and botanist of Danish origin who worked in India

Background imageBotany Collection: Amaryllis belladonna, 1804

Amaryllis belladonna, 1804
Illustration of Amaryllis belladonna, commonly known as belladonna lily or Jersey lily. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1804

Background imageBotany Collection: Atropa belladonna - Deadly nightshade

Atropa belladonna - Deadly nightshade
Botanical illustration of deadly nightshade

Background imageBotany Collection: Lodoicea maldivica

Lodoicea maldivica, commonly known as coco de mer or double coconut by William Jackson Hooker from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, 1827. Artwork from volume 54, plate 2734

Background imageBotany Collection: Fallopia japonica - Japanese Knotweed

Fallopia japonica - Japanese Knotweed
Tab.6503. - Fallopia japonica as Polygonum cuspidatum the original illustration is by Anne Barnard, watercolour on paper, 1880; The plate, 6503, was published in Curtiss Botanical Magazine

Background imageBotany Collection: Microscopical observations of cinchona bark and seedlings, 1862

Microscopical observations of cinchona bark and seedlings, 1862
Microscopical observations of cinchona bark and seedlings by Walter Hood Fitch, from J. E. Howard, Illustrations of the Nueva Quinologia of Pavon, 1862

Background imageBotany Collection: Galanthus nivalis, 1832-1833

Galanthus nivalis, 1832-1833
Illustration of Galanthus nivalis commonly known as snowdrop, milk flower or candlemass bells, 1832-1833. Artwork from Flora Regni Borussici by Albert Gottfried Dietrich, volume 1, plate 32

Background imageBotany Collection: Allium giganteum, 1885

Allium giganteum, 1885
Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Matilda Smith, 1885. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 111, plate 6828

Background imageBotany Collection: Dracula chimaera (Vampire orchid), 1882-1897

Dracula chimaera (Vampire orchid), 1882-1897
Illustration of Dracula chimaera by John Nugent Fitch from The Orchid Album, Comprising Coloured Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, and Beautiful Orchidaceous Plants, 1882- 1897; t. 203

Background imageBotany Collection: Dianthus species from Honzo Zufu, 1828-1844

Dianthus species from Honzo Zufu, 1828-1844
Nadeshiko, fringed pinks, cultivated Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus of Japanese origin, greatly influenced by human cultivation. Manuscript hand painted on paper, Japan, 1828

Background imageBotany Collection: Roses (Rosa multiflora or Rosa polyantha), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828

Roses (Rosa multiflora or Rosa polyantha), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828
Wood block print and manuscript on paper, Japan, 1828. The wood block prints meassure approximately 25 cm in height. The wood block print is from Honzo Zufu or Illustrated manual of medicinal plants

Background imageBotany Collection: Iris (Iris sanguinea), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828

Iris (Iris sanguinea), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828
Wood block print and manuscript on paper, Japan, 1828. The wood block prints meassure approximately 25 cm in height. The wood block print is from Honzo Zufu or Illustrated Manual of Medicinal Plants

Background imageBotany Collection: Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828
Wood block print and manuscript on paper, Japan, 1828. The wood block prints meassure approximately 25 cm in height. The wood block print is from Honzo Zufu or Illustrated manual of medicinal plants

Background imageBotany Collection: Citrus x aurantium orange, ancient cultivar of the mandarin-pomelo hybrid complex, Honzo Zufu, 1828

Citrus x aurantium orange, ancient cultivar of the mandarin-pomelo hybrid complex, Honzo Zufu, 1828
Citrus x aurantium orange, ancient cultivar of the mandarin-pomelo hybrid complex, Wood block print and manuscript on paper, Japan, 1828. The wood block prints meassure approximately 25 cm in height

Background imageBotany Collection: Poppy (Papaver), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828

Poppy (Papaver), woodblock print and manuscript on paper, 1828
Wood block print and manuscript on paper, Japan, 1828. The wood block prints meassure approximately 25 cm in height. The wood block print is from Honzo Zufu or Illustrated manual of medicinal plants

Background imageBotany Collection: Rhododendron Dalhousiae (frontispiece), 1849

Rhododendron Dalhousiae (frontispiece), 1849
Frontispiece of a Rhododendron dalhousieae Hook. f. in its native locality, 1849

Background imageBotany Collection: Reynoutria japonica, 1880

Reynoutria japonica, 1880
Illustration of Reynoutria japonica, commonly known as Japanese knotweed. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper after the original drawing by Anne Barnard, 1880

Background imageBotany Collection: Theobroma cacao, 1887

Theobroma cacao, 1887
Chromolithograph print on paper of Theobroma cacao, showing cocoa pod and beans, from Kohler's Medicinal Plants, vol 2, plate 183, 1887

Background imageBotany Collection: Elettaria cardamomum, 1887

Elettaria cardamomum, 1887
Illustration of Elettaria cardamomum, commonly known as cardamom, from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, 1887, volume 1, plate 74

Background imageBotany Collection: Ficus carica

Ficus carica or commonly known as common fig. Illustration from Flora von Deutschland, Osterreich und der Schweiz by Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thome, Vol. 2, 1886. Tab 181 T. 181

Background imageBotany Collection: Benary - Mendelss peas - Tab XXIII - t. 23

Benary - Mendelss peas - Tab XXIII - t. 23
Benary - Mendelss peas - Tab XXIII - t.23

Background imageBotany Collection: Corypha umbraculifera (Talipot Palm)

Corypha umbraculifera (Talipot Palm)
Corypha umbraculifera commonly known as Talipot Palm from Kerner/ Hansen Pflanzenleben, volume 1. Inscription says " Die Schattenpalme (Corypha umbraculifera)

Background imageBotany Collection: Study of Coco de Mer - Lodicea sechellarum

Study of Coco de Mer - Lodicea sechellarum
Illustration of the germinating nut, a snake twined around one of the trees and also a drawing of the cross section of the nut

Background imageBotany Collection: Wardian Case

Wardian Case
The Wardian case is a portable airtight, glass-lined greenhouse that was developed by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791-1868) for the transportation of plants

Background imageBotany Collection: Mesembryanthemum digitatum, 1772-1793

Mesembryanthemum digitatum, 1772-1793
Watercolour on paper of Mesembryanthemum digitatum by Francis Masson, 1772-1793. The inscription mentions Dactylopsis digitata which is an old synonym the current accepted plant name

Background imageBotany Collection: Stapelia reticulata, 1814

Stapelia reticulata, 1814
Original illustration of Stapelia reticulata, currently accepted as Huernia reticulata, commonly known as netted-flowered stapelia, from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, published as plate 1662

Background imageBotany Collection: Hoodia bainii, 1878

Hoodia bainii, 1878
Original illustration of Hoodia bainii, currently accepted as Hoodia gordonii, from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, published as plate 6348, 1st March 1878. Watercolour and pencil on paper

Background imageBotany Collection: Architecture

Architecture
Kew B2B Architecture

Background imageBotany Collection: Allium sphaerocephalon, 1794

Allium sphaerocephalon, 1794
Illustration of Allium sphaerocephalon, commonly known as ornamental onion. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1794. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 7, plate 251

Background imageBotany Collection: Allium senescens, 1808

Allium senescens, 1808
Illustration of Allium senescens, commonly known as ornamental onion. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1808. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 29, plate 1150

Background imageBotany Collection: Lilium henryi, 1891

Lilium henryi, 1891
Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Matilda Smith, 1891. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 117, plate 7177

Background imageBotany Collection: Vaults at the Millennium Seed Bank

Vaults at the Millennium Seed Bank
Photo of Seed Collections staff in the vaults at the Millennium Seed Bank, Wakehurst, 2009. The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) is a growing collection of seeds from around the world

Background imageBotany Collection: Dendrobium kingianum, 1834-1849

Dendrobium kingianum, 1834-1849
Illustration of Dendrobium kingianum engraved by Samuel Holden from Magazine of Botany and Register of Flowering Plants by Joseph Paxton, vol 12, 1834-1849

Background imageBotany Collection: Cypripedium reginae (Showy orchid), 1876

Cypripedium reginae (Showy orchid), 1876
Watercolour illustration of Cypripedium reginae (Showy orchid) by John Day, 12 June 1876. Artwork from John Days Scrapbook, volume 19, page 57

Background imageBotany Collection: Corylus avellana, hazel

Corylus avellana, hazel
Corylus avellana. Common hazel. Illustration from Flora von Deutschland, Osterreich und der Schweiz by Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thome, Vol. 2, 1886. Tab. 163 T. 163

Background imageBotany Collection: 705. Palmyra Palms in Flood-time

705. Palmyra Palms in Flood-time
Illustration of Borassus flabellifer, commonly known as Palmyra palm by Marianne North from Marianne North Collection, Kew, 1870

Background imageBotany Collection: Coelogyne cristata, 1877

Coelogyne cristata, 1877
Watercolour illustration of Coelogyne cristata by John Day, 19 January 1877. Artwork from John Days Scrapbook, volume 20, page 69

Background imageBotany Collection: Epidendrum vanille, 1774

Epidendrum vanille, 1774
Illustration of Epidendrum vanille, currently accepted as Vanilla mexicana. The illustration is from La Botanique mise a la portee de tout le Monde by Nicolas Francois Regnault (1746-c.1810)

Background imageBotany Collection: Capsicum annuum, 1887

Capsicum annuum, 1887
Illustration of Capsicum annuum, commonly known as peppers, from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, 1887, volume 2, plate 35

Background imageBotany Collection: Coriandrum sativum, 1887

Coriandrum sativum, 1887
Illustration of Coriandrum sativum, commonly known as coriander, from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen by Franz Eugen Köhler, 1887, volume 1, plate 45

Background imageBotany Collection: Buddleia colvilei, Smith M

Buddleia colvilei, Smith M
Vol 121, t. 7449, 1895, Buddleia colvilei, Smith M, Buddlejaceae

Background imageBotany Collection: Buddleia crispa, Fitch W

Buddleia crispa, Fitch W
Vol 80, t.4793, 1854, Buddleia crispa, Fitch Walter Hood, Buddlejaceae

Background imageBotany Collection: Vanilla planifolia, 1805-1846

Vanilla planifolia, 1805-1846
Illustration of Vanilla planifolia from Getreue Darstellung und Beschreibung Der in Der Arzneykunde Gebr├ñuchlichen Gew├ñchse : Wie Auch Aolcher, Welche mit Inhen Verwechselt Werden K├Ânnen

Background imageBotany Collection: Stapelia olivacea, 1876

Stapelia olivacea, 1876
Original illustration from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, published as plate 6212, 1st February, 1876. Watercolour and pencil on paper. Sent to Kew by H.E

Background imageBotany Collection: Puya chilensis (Chilli), 1880s

Puya chilensis (Chilli), 1880s
Puya chilensis (Chilli) by Marianne North, 1880s. Medium: Oil on board. Dimensions: H 90.4 x W 20.4 cm

Background imageBotany Collection: Bee Orchid

Bee Orchid
Photograph of Ophrys apifera at Kew Gardens, commonly known as bee orchid, June 2010

Background imageBotany Collection: Angraecum sesquipedale, 1870

Angraecum sesquipedale, 1870
Angraecum sesquipedale by John Day, 30 November, 1870. Artwork from John Day's Scrapbook volume 16, page 39

Background imageBotany Collection: Crinum x powellii, 1890

Crinum x powellii, 1890
Illustration of Crinum x powellii, commonly known as swamp lily or Powell s, illustrated by Henry George Moon, 25th January 1890

Background imageBotany Collection: Carl von Linnaeus, Swedish botanist and taxonomist

Carl von Linnaeus, Swedish botanist and taxonomist
Line and stipple engraving of Carl Linnaeus by Charles Edward Wagstaff, after Magnus Hallman Stipple.Linnaeus wears the Swedish Order of the Polar Star

Background imageBotany Collection: RBG Kew expedition to Cameroon

RBG Kew expedition to Cameroon, 1995. Between 1995-2003, several RBG Kew-National Herbarium of Cameroon (HNC) teams combed the forest, supported by local conservation NGOs and Earthwatch volunteers

Background imageBotany Collection: Bulbophyllum nocturnum J. J. Verm

Bulbophyllum nocturnum J. J. Verm
Bulbophyllum nocturnum J.J.Verm. de Vogel, Schuit. & A.Vogel Photographed at the Hortus botanicus, Leiden, The Netherlands on 15 January 2009 by AndrÔÇÜ├á├Â

Background imageBotany Collection: Vitis vinifera, 1846

Vitis vinifera, 1846
Illustration of Vitis vinifera, commonly known as grape vine or cultivated grape, from Pomologie Francaise by Antoine Poiteau, 1846

Background imageBotany Collection: Amanita muscaria, c. 1915-45

Amanita muscaria, c. 1915-45
Illustration of Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric by Elsie M. Wakefield from the Kew Collection, c.1915-1945

Background imageBotany Collection: Schlumbergera truncata, 1866

Schlumbergera truncata, 1866
Illustration of Schlumbergera truncata, commonly known as Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, holiday cactus, 1866. Artwork from La Belgique Horticole by Edouard Morren, volume 16, plate 257

Background imageBotany Collection: Iriartea deltoidea, 1823-53

Iriartea deltoidea, 1823-53
Illustration of Iriartea deltoidea, commonly known as bombona, pambil, pona palm, from Historia Naturalis Palmarum by Karl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, 1823-53

Background imageBotany Collection: Nectaroscordum siculum, 1836

Nectaroscordum siculum, 1836
Illustration of Nectaroscordum siculum, current accepted plant name Allium siculum, commonly known Sicilan honey garlic, Sicilian honey lily or Mediterranean bells

Background imageBotany Collection: Fritillaria meleagris, 1880-1888

Fritillaria meleagris, 1880-1888
Illustration of Fritillaria meleagris, commonly known as snake s-head fritillary. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper, 1880-1888. Artwork from Flora von Deutschland (revised by Dr)

Background imageBotany Collection: Cyclamen hederifolium, 1807

Cyclamen hederifolium, 1807
Illustration of Cyclamen hederifolium, commonly known as cyclamen or sow bread. Hand-coloured engraving on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1807

Background imageBotany Collection: Muscari szovitsianum, 1886

Muscari szovitsianum, 1886
Current accepted plant name is Muscari armeniacum, commonly known as grape hyacinth. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Matilda Smith, 1886

Background imageBotany Collection: Zygopetalum mackayi, 1882-1897

Zygopetalum mackayi, 1882-1897
Illustration of Zygopetalum mackayi from The Orchid Album, Comprising Coloured Figures and Descriptions of New, Rare, and Beautiful Orchidaceous Plants by Robert Warner and Benjamin Samuel Williams

Background imageBotany Collection: Vanda coerulea (Blue vanda), 1862

Vanda coerulea (Blue vanda), 1862
Illustration of Vanda coerulea by Walter Hood Fitch, 1862. Artwork from Select Orchidaceous Plants by Robert Warner, 1862; t. 18

Background imageBotany Collection: Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid), 1885-1906

Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid), 1885-1906
Illustration of Rhynchostylis retusa by Pieter de Pannemaeker. Artwork from Lindenia: Iconographie des Orchid├®es, 1885-1906; volume 15, plate 691

Background imageBotany Collection: Psychopsis kramerianum (Butterfly orchid), 1845-1883

Psychopsis kramerianum (Butterfly orchid), 1845-1883
Illustration of Psychopsis kramerianum (Butterfly orchid), 1845-1883. Artwork from Flore des Serres et des Jardin de l Europe by Louis Van Houtte, volume 19; p. 40-41

Background imageBotany Collection: Prosthechea cochleata (aka. Cockleshell orchid, black orchid, clamshell orchid, octopus orchid)

Prosthechea cochleata (aka. Cockleshell orchid, black orchid, clamshell orchid, octopus orchid), 1802-1816
Illustration of Prosthechea cochleata by Pierre Joseph Redout├®, 1802-1816. Artwork from Les Liliac├®es, volume 6, plate 346

Background imageBotany Collection: Phalaenopsis schilleriana, 1864

Phalaenopsis schilleriana, 1864
Watercolour illustration of Phalaenopsis schilleriana by John Day, 9 March 1864. Artwork from John Days Scrapbook, volume 7, page 58

Background imageBotany Collection: Paphiopedilum niveum (Asian slipper orchid), 1883

Paphiopedilum niveum (Asian slipper orchid), 1883
Watercolour illustration of Paphiopedilum niveum by John Day, 26 April 1883. Artwork from John Days Scrapbook, volume 35, page 5

Background imageBotany Collection: Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid), 1886

Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid), 1886
Illustration of Ophrys apifera from Flora von Deutschland : Österreich und der Schweiz in Wort und Bild für Schule und Haus, 1886. Artwork from volume 1, plate 148




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