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Cochineal cactus and Kermes oak
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Cochineal cactus and Kermes oak
Cochineal cactus or Indian fig opuntia, Opuntia ficus-indica, with cochineal beetle, Dactylopius coccus. Kermes beetle, Kermes vermilio, with Kermes oak, Quercus coccifera. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Friedrich Johann Bertuchs Bilderbuch fur Kinder (Picture Book for Children), Weimar, 1795
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Media ID 23157582
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Beetle Bilderbuch Cacti Cactus Carmine Coccus Cochineal Crimson Dactylopius Opuntia Quercus Ficus Indica Nopal
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This hand-colored copperplate engraving, taken from Friedrich Johann Bertuch's Bilderbuch fur Kinder (Picture Book for Children), published in Weimar in 1795, showcases two intricately connected natural wonders: the Cochineal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) and the Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera). The Cochineal cactus, also known as the Indian fig or nopal, is depicted in the foreground with its distinctive pads, or nopales, adorned with tiny, red Cochineal beetles (Dactylopius coccus). These beetles are a vital source of the highly prized natural dye, carmine, which has been used for centuries to create a vibrant crimson hue in various industries, including food, textiles, and cosmetics. In the background, the Kermes oak tree (Quercus coccifera), also known as the Kermes oak or Ilex oak, is shown with its distinctive red-brown bark and acorns. The Kermes beetle (Kermes vermilio), a small, red insect, can be seen clinging to the oak tree. These beetles produce a similar dye, known as kermes, which was also widely used for coloring purposes. The intricate details of the engraving reveal the delicate relationship between these two plants and their respective insect inhabitants. The Cochineal cactus and Kermes oak have been intertwined for centuries, with each relying on the other for their survival and contributing to the production of valuable natural dyes.
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