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Common bracken or brake, Pteridium aquilinum
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Common bracken or brake, Pteridium aquilinum
Common bracken or brake, Pteridium aquilinum. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Jussieus Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali, Dictionary of Natural Science, Florence, Italy, 1837. Illustration engraved by Bozza, drawn and directed by Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin, and published by Batelli e Figli. Turpin (1775-1840) is considered one of the greatest French botanical illustrators of the 19th century
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Media ID 23387220
© Florilegius
1837 Bozza Bracken Brake Common Delle Dictionary Dizionario Edible Florence Francois Jussieu Larch Naturali Pierre Scienze Stipple Stylidium Turpin Vegetable Verico Aquilinum Pteridium
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Common Bracken, Pteridium aquilinum, is depicted in this stunning handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from the "Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali," or "Dictionary of Natural Sciences," published in Florence, Italy, in 1837. The illustration was engraved by Bozza, under the direction of the renowned French botanical illustrator Pierre Jean-Francois Turpin (1775-1840). Turpin, considered one of the greatest botanical illustrators of the 19th century, expertly captured the intricate details of this fern, with its larch-like fronds and distinctive stylidia or trigger-like structures at the base of each leaf. Bracken is a common and widespread fern, found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the Southern Hemisphere. It is often referred to as "brake" and is easily identified by its large, triangular fronds, which can grow up to 1.5 meters in length. The fronds are covered in small scales, giving them a rough, brown texture. Bracken is an edible vegetable and was once an important food source for many cultures. The young fronds can be eaten raw or cooked and were often used as a substitute for cereals. The plant also produces a small, red-brown spore-bearing structure called a sorus, which is visible in the engraving. Despite its historical significance, bracken is now known to contain high levels of carcinogens and is considered a health hazard when consumed regularly. The plant also releases large amounts of spores, which can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. This beautiful and intricately detailed engraving is a testament to the skill and artistry of Turpin and the team at Batelli e Figli, who produced some of the most exquisite botanical illustrations of the 19th century.
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