Musk thistle, Carduus nutans, and spear thistle
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Musk thistle, Carduus nutans, and spear thistle
Musk thistle, Carduus nutans, and spear thistle, Cirsium vulgare.. Handcolored botanical copperplate engraving from Joshua Hamiltons Culpepers English Family Physician; or Medical Herbal Enlarged, with Several Hundred Additional Plants, Principally from Sir John Hill, London, W. Locke, 1792
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Media ID 14204635
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite handcolored botanical copperplate engraving, taken from Joshua Hamilton's Culpeper's English Family Physician; or Medical Herbal, published in London in 1792, showcases two prominent thistle species: Musk Thistle, Carduus nutans, and Spear Thistle, Cirsium vulgare. The intricate details of the plants' structures are beautifully rendered, with the delicate veining of their leaves and the prickly textures of their stems and flowers faithfully captured. Musk Thistle, also known as the Nodding Thistle, is characterized by its distinctive pinkish-purple flowers that nod towards the ground and its downy, woolly leaves. Spear Thistle, on the other hand, boasts spiky, purple-pink flowers atop a tall, spear-like stem, with large, lobed leaves covered in fine hairs. Both thistles were widely used in herbal medicine during the 18th and 19th centuries for various therapeutic purposes. The Musk Thistle was believed to have anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, while the Spear Thistle was employed as a remedy for ailments such as gout, jaundice, and liver complaints. The plants were also used topically to treat wounds and skin conditions. This image serves not only as a testament to the artistic skill of the engraver but also as a valuable record of historical botanical knowledge. The intricate details of the plants' structures, combined with their traditional medicinal uses, offer a fascinating glimpse into the natural world and the ways in which it was understood during the era of herbal medicine.
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