“English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants” is an extensive botanical work published between 1790 and 1814. Spanning 36 volumes, it features 2,592 hand-coloured engravings of British plant species. The illustrations were created by James Sowerby, a renowned botanical illustrator and natural historian, while the accompanying descriptions were primarily authored by Sir James Edward Smith, founder of the Linnean Society.

The collaboration between Sowerby and Smith resulted in a comprehensive survey of British flora. Initially, the work was not intended to be exhaustive, but over time, it became the most extensive illustrated flora of Great Britain up to that period. The volumes include the first descriptions and illustrations of many mosses and lichens, reflecting the authors’ particular interest in these groups.

The high-quality, vividly hand-coloured plates, accompanied by concise technical descriptions and extensive commentary in plain English, contributed to the work’s immediate popularity among the general public. Despite being printed in runs of up to 900 copies—a significant number for copper-plate engravings—complete first edition sets are now rare, with only a few known to have survived.

Volume 21 of “English Botany” continues this tradition by presenting detailed illustrations and descriptions of various British plant species. Each entry provides essential information, including the plant’s characteristics, synonyms, and habitats, along with occasional remarks that offer additional insights. This volume, like the others, serves as a valuable resource for botanists, naturalists, and plant enthusiasts interested in the rich diversity of British flora.