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Climbings butchers broom, Semele androgyna
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Climbings butchers broom, Semele androgyna
Climbings butchers broom, Semele androgyna (Ruscus androgynus). Handcoloured botanical engraving from John Sims Curtiss Botanical Magazine, Couchman, London, 1816
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Media ID 23159782
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Broom Butchers Couchman Curtis Ruscus Sims Semele
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This exquisite handcoloured botanical engraving showcases the intricate details of Climbing Butcher's Broom, Semele androgyna (Ruscus androgynus), a fascinating plant in the Liliaceae family. The engraving, published in Curtis's Botanical Magazine in 1816 by John Sims, offers a vivid depiction of this climbing plant's unique morphology. Semele androgyna, also known as Butcher's Broom or Ruscus androgynus, is native to the Mediterranean region. Its name derives from the Greek mythological figure Semele, who was said to have given birth to Dionysus while pregnant with Zeus, hidden in a thicket of this very plant. The engraving reveals the plant's distinctive features, including its creeping rhizomes, which send out climbing stems adorned with small, scale-like leaves. The inflorescence is a dense, cylindrical spike, with tiny, greenish-yellow flowers that give way to bright red berries. The plant's androgynous flowers, bearing both male and female parts, are a testament to its scientific name, Semele androgyna. The meticulous attention to detail in this botanical engraving is evident in the delicate shading and precise rendering of each leaf and petal. The use of handcolouring further enhances the image's lifelike quality, making it a captivating representation of the natural world during the Romantic era. Botanical illustrations like this one served as essential records of plant species for scientific research and conservation efforts, as well as sources of inspiration for artists and horticulturists. Today, they continue to captivate us with their beauty and intricacy, offering a glimpse into the rich history of botanical exploration and documentation.
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