The Morphology of Illustrated Plants

The morphology of illustrated plants Alicja Zemanek and Bogdan Zemanek The watercolours in the Libri Picturati yield an enormous variety in Here in one drawing the same species is shown, at the time of bearing morphological information. Many organs are reproduced in meticu flowers and of fruits, and sometimes also producing seeds, with the lous and often correct detail, resulting from extensive observations time interval between flowering and fruiting expressed by a clear gap in the field. The plants are often portrayed as a synthesis of several in a branch ((PlatePlate 1, Yellow flag: 'risIris pseudacorus, A22A22.067)..067). A similar different individuals, showing general features ofthe species, as well method for presenting species is used today in plant atlases, flora as individual variation. Only in the flowers, of which the function was descriptions and identification keys. The painting of some of the not entirely understood at that time, some systematic mistakes may watercolours certainly was preceded by extensive observation in the be found. field. Plant morphology, dealing with the external features of plants Moreover, the specimens selected as models have been dug out, (appearance, shape, and symmetry), is one of the oldest branches hence their underground parts are reproduced in great detail. of botany. Its beginnings, in ancient times, were shaped by Although there are no separate compilations of drawings devoted to Theophrastus of Eresus (ca. 370-285 Be), and it was developed further various plant organs, such as appear in later publications, the faithful in subsequent centuries by the work of numerous authors. The 'species portraits' present specific morphological reviews showing foundations of modern morphology were laid by Joachim Jung the diversity of forms found in specific organs. (Jungius, 1587'1657) and John Ray (Rajus, 1627-1705), whose terminology But even with this perfection in depicting plants, it is evident how was adopted to a large extent by Carl Linnaeus. the style of thinking in the period limited the perception of the artist, In the Renaissance period, the basic morphological concepts intro as well as of the researcher who guided the artist. We see the in duced by Theophrastus were known, the principal organs of plants accuracies in presenting the structure of the flower, but at the same had been distinguished, and their most important functions had time we also see that utmost care is taken to present the artistic been recognized. It was only the flower of which the function was beauty of all flower parts, i.e. the corolla, its diverse colours, showing not correctly perceived, as it was regarded as the means of protection the double-flower forms, and the like. of the fruit during its development, and as the embodiment of beauty present in nature. At that time there was no commonly used Roots system of plant names, nor a standardized method of morphological The correct and detailed pictures of the underground organs of herbs, description, and compiling herbaria, i.e. the collection of dried plants, particularly the roots, cause the Libri Picturati to be recognized as was only at its earliest stage. one of the oldest 'rhizological compendia'. The interest taken in Despite this, the authors of printed books on herbs contributed underground organs was not only a consequence of the approach many new facts pertaining to plants as well as to details of their towards plants as sources of edible roots and medicinal substances. structure; and some of them, e.g., Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566), added It was also connected with contemporary horticultural practices glossaries of botanical terms to their herbals, such as De historia at that time: roots, bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, etc., were used for the stirpium, published in 1542. Theoretical considerations on morphology vegetative reproduction of plants. Many exotic species shipped from were published by the leading 'botanical philosopher' of the period: other continents reached Europe in the form of underground organs, Andrea Cesalpino (Caesalpinus, 1519-1603) in De plan tis Iibri XVI, capable of withstanding desiccation and lack of light during the published in Florence, 1583. voyage back home that might take many months. Many new concepts were also introduced by Valerius Cordus (1515-1544) In the Libri the roots are shown in illustrations presenting herbs, in Historiae stirpium, Argentorati (1563), who differentiated for example woody perennials, and vines, whereas they are absent in the sheets between various types of leaves and of fruits. In the difficult task of that show trees, and only very rarely roots are shown in shrubs documenting nature, which is still not finished today, botanical illus (e.g., Broom: Cytisus scoparius, A20.021A20.021).). In some cases, next to the tration has always had a significant role to play. picture of a plant - or shown on a separate sheet - its root is shown, sometimes cut open to reveal its internal structure, e.g. in Great Portraits of species knapweed (Centaurea centaurium, A18A1B.oso)..050). From the point of view of the history of morphology the Libri Picturati The two principal morphological types of roots, fibrous root and A18-30 collection of watercolours is a compendium showing the variety taproots, are presented in dozens of examples. The pictures show and multiformity of plant organs. The merits of reliable scientific numerous modifications of the roots of plants of many ecological documentation, combined with a high level of artistry as if to prove groups, living in diverse types of habitats, such as root tubers or the Platonic idea of the paramount importance of beauty hidden in thickened storage roots, e.g. in White Bryony (Bryonia dioica, A23.003, nature. Painting the 'morphological synthesis' (and a phenological Fig. 11). one as well) of species.is a novel approach found in earlier authors A realistic drawing of the root of Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum, but it is applied consistently in the Libri Picturati. A30.085,A30.o85, FFig.ig. 2)2 ) is worth major attention, because it points to the evident rejection of old beliefs considering the plant to be a magical Plate 1I (A22.067) The portrait of a species: Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) object, with the root usually depicted in the form of a human figure. 79 .

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