Plant Humanities UKさんのイラストまとめ

Star anise is made from the dried fruits of Illium verum, a small evergreen of the #magnolia family. In China and Vietnam where it originates, #staranise is important as both a #traditionalmedicine and an aromatic #spice.

#Frankincense is harvested from #Boswellia trees by cutting the bark and collecting the droplets of resin which ooze out. Highly regarded as an #incense, #perfume, #medicine and even as an #eyeliner (charred, ground up and applied as kohl by ancient #Egyptians). #WeThreeKings

Once an important source of natural #rubber & nowadays familiar as a #houseplant, the India Rubber Tree astounded early botanists. As depicted in an 1856 issue of the Belgian periodical L'Illustration Horticole, its aerial roots can be used to form living bridges. #Ficuselastica

This rare #Maori raincloak incorporates over 1,500 mountain daisy (Celmisia) — or 'tikumu'—leaves. Due to their beautiful suede-like texture and natural water-resistance, it is also known as the 'leather plant’. Read more: https://t.co/DCPZcUBh84 [#Museum30 ~ Day 10: #Texture].

Our future depends on climate change resilient crops such as #sorghum. This diverse Sub-Saharan grain is cultivated using 1/3 less water than maize. The @kewgardens Economic Botany Collection preserves 100s of varieties of #Sorghumbicolor seeds from Africa + beyond. #futurecrops

#DidYouKnow? Confectioners starting making synthetic #chewinggum following WWII when it was popularised due to inclusion in soldiers' rations. Before, it was made of natural latex #chicle tapped from #Manilkarazapota ~ the #sapodilla tree. Looks like chicle is making a comeback.

Experiments with unconventional #vegetable #fibres in #Victorian #Ireland: This breathtaking #lace #parasol cover was hand-knitted from #nasturtium fibre and gifted to #Kew Director Sir William Hooker for the @Economicbotany Museum by #Irish Viscountess Lady Doneraile in 1855.

#21st - Cloves in ham and oranges is undoubtedly festive but what about this very aromatic clove ship, with tiny clove sailors? #christmas #countdown #usefulplants

#17th - Continuing the nativity theme this weekend, next economic botany specimen on the countdown is Myrrh. This piece dates from 1871 and was traded in Zanzibar

#4th - Spicy nutmeg conjures cosy images of tasty food and drink – it can also be used to make jewellery! #beadwork #usefulplants