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Plant Portrait Collection

Background imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait Collection: Rhododendron Dalhousiae (frontispiece), 1849

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

Background imagePlant Portrait Collection: Ananas champaca, ornamental pineapple

Ananas champaca, ornamental pineapple
Ornamental pineapple, Ananas comosus Champaca, at RBG Kew. The ornamental pineapple is not edible. Part of the Bromeliad plant family native to Tropical America it has swordlike spiny green leaves

Background imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait Collection: Bee Orchid

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

Background imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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 imagePlant Portrait 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




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