Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, established in 1787 by English botanist and entomologist William Curtis, is the world’s longest-running botanical periodical, renowned for its detailed illustrations and comprehensive plant descriptions.

Volume 116, published in 1890, exemplifies the magazine’s enduring commitment to documenting plant diversity, featuring meticulously crafted illustrations and scholarly articles that cater to botanists, horticulturists, and plant enthusiasts alike.

This volume showcases a diverse array of plant species from various regions, reflecting the global botanical explorations of the 19th century. Each entry provides an in-depth botanical description, encompassing morphological characteristics, native habitats, and cultivation requirements. The accompanying illustrations, primarily the work of Matilda Smith, who contributed over 2,300 plates to the magazine between 1878 and 1923, are notable for their precision and artistry.

Smith’s illustrations not only capture the aesthetic beauty of each species but also serve as valuable scientific records, aiding in accurate plant identification and classification.

Volume 116 also reflects the collaborative efforts between illustrators and botanists, a hallmark of the magazine’s production process. Artists worked closely with botanists to ensure that each illustration accurately depicted the plant’s features, often including detailed views of flowers, leaves, and reproductive structures. This meticulous approach enhanced the magazine’s practical appeal to gardeners and horticulturists, providing them with reliable visual references for plant cultivation and study.

The enduring significance of Curtis’s Botanical Magazine lies in its role as a bridge between scientific research and horticultural practice. By combining scholarly articles with high-quality illustrations, Volume 116 continues this tradition, offering readers both aesthetic enjoyment and practical knowledge. The magazine’s comprehensive documentation of plant species has contributed to the broader understanding of plant biodiversity and conservation, making it an invaluable resource for both historical research and contemporary botanical studies.