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Branched broomrape, Orobanche ramosa
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Branched broomrape, Orobanche ramosa
Branched broomrape, Orobanche ramosa. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by James Sowerby from James Smiths English Botany, London, 1794
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Media ID 23202674
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Branched Herb Herbal Sowerby Broomrape Orobanche Smith
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Branched Broomrape, Orobanche ramosa: A Stunning Botanical Masterpiece from the 18th Century This exquisite hand-coloured copperplate engraving depicts the Branched Broomrape, Orobanche ramosa, a fascinating and intricately beautiful herbaceous parasitic plant. Created by the renowned English botanist and illustrator, James Sowerby, for James Smith's English Botany, this engraving showcases the plant in its full splendour, with delicate details that bring out its unique characteristics. The Branched Broomrape is a parasitic plant, meaning it derives its nutrients from other plants, in this case, typically broom or gorse. The plant's branches are covered in small, pinkish-purple flowers, each with a distinctive five-lobed shape and a long, curved nectary tube. The leaves are narrow and linear, arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. This botanical illustration is a testament to the meticulous work of Sowerby and the scientific curiosity of the time. The intricate details and vibrant colours bring the plant to life, providing an accurate and visually stunning representation of the Branched Broomrape. The engraving process, which involved creating an image on a copper plate using a burin and then transferring the image to paper using ink and water, was a labour-intensive and time-consuming process, resulting in highly detailed and accurate botanical illustrations. The Branched Broomrape was not only of scientific interest but also held medicinal value. The plant was used in traditional herbal medicine to treat various ailments, including gout, rheumatism, and sciatica. The roots were believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and were used to make a tea or ointment. This stunning botanical engraving is not only a work of art but also a valuable historical record of a unique and intriguing plant.
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