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321 results
  • A fruiting tropical plant (Duroia eriophila) and five water beetles (Dytiscus species). Coloured etching by J. Pass, c. 1803, after M. Merian.
  • Workers harvesting sago in a tropical wooded glade with a bilimbi tree, a sago palm, a durian tree and a pepper plant. Engraving, c. 1777.
  • Flowers, stem and leaf of a tropical plant (Dillenia pentagyna) and five skin beetles (Dermestes species). Coloured etching by J. Pass, c. 1803, after J. Ihle.
  • Above, two bees, two marmots, a tropical palm, a heron and a crane; below, two spiders, a treelike plant, two fish and a tunicate animal of the class Ascidiacea. Engraving by Heath.
  • Brillantaisia ulugurica Lindau, Acanthaceae. Giant salvia. Tropical herbaceous plant. Distribution: Tropical Africa. Brillantaisia patula is used by the Yoruba in south Nigeria for small-pox medication, the roots being mixed with Bahia nitida and Marantolchloa leucantha, Piper guineense and snails. This is made into a soup and the snail piece eaten to protect against smallpox for a year (Neuwinger, 1994) which doubtless was effective after the global eradication of smallpox in 1979. Brillantaisia nitens is used in the Cameroons to treat cardiovascular disorders. Phytochemical screening of Brillantaisia species have shown antibacterial action, vascular smooth muscle relaxant properties. Kew reports their use as soap
  • Catharanthus roseus (L.)G.Don Apocynaceae. Madagascar Periwinkle Distribution: Madagascar. It is the source of vincristine and vinblastine, which impair cell multiplication by interfering with microtubule assembly, causing metaphase arrest and are effective medications for leukaemias, lymphomas and some solid tumours. The mortality from childhood leukaemia fell from 100% to 30% once it was introduced - not a drug that could ethically be tested by double-blind trials. These chemicals were initially discovered by investigators in 1958 who were looking for cures for diabetes so tested this plant which was being used in the West Indies to reduce blood sugar levels. There are 70 different alkaloids present in this plant, and some - catharanthine, leurosine sulphate, lochnerine, tetrahydroalstonine, vindoline and vindolinine - lower blood sugar levels. However, the toxicity of this plant is such that this is not a plant to try at home for diabetic management. The vincristine content of the plant is 0.0003%, so two kilograms of leaf are required to produce sufficient vincristine for a single course of treatment for a child (6gm). Fortunately it is a vigorous weed and easy to grow in the tropics. Artificial synthesis has now been achieved. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Euphorbia milii Des Moul. Euphorbiaceae. Crown of Thorns - so called because of its very spiny stems. Distribution: Madagascar. The latex contains a copper-containing amine oxidase, a lectin, lipase, peroxidase, and a diamine oxidase. In vitro the latex is synergistic with ketoconazole against Candida albicans (thrush). All Euphorbia have a toxic white latex, and in Europe this has been used as a folk remedy to treat warts. It can cause skin allergies and the smoke from burning them is toxic. the genus named for Euphorbus (fl. circa 10 BC – 20 AD), the Greek physician to the Berber King Juba II (c. 50 BC – 23 AD) of Numidia, Euphorbia milii is one of the tropical spurges, with fierce, cactus-like spines, grown as a house plant. The sap of spurges is used in folk medicine for treating warts (not very effective), and, historically, as a purgative - the word spurge being derived from the French word for purgation. The sap (probably dried) was administered inside a fig because it is so corrosive that it would otherwise burn the mouth and oesophagus – a technique used today, rather more subtly, with ‘enteric coated’ medications. The sap contains a potential anti-leukaemic chemical, lasiodoplin, and is also used in drainage ditches to kill the snails which carry the parasitic trematode which causes fasciolaris. It does not kill the fish. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Albizia julibrissin Durazz. Fabaceae. Persian silk tree. Called 'shabkhosb' in Persian, meaning 'sleeping tree' as the pinnate leaves close up at night. Tropical tree. Named for Filippo degli Albizzi, an Italian naturalist, who brought seeds from Constantinople to Florence in 1749, and introduced it to European horticulture. The specific epithet comes from the Persian 'gul-i abrisham' which means 'silk flower'. Distribution: South Africa to Ethiopia, Senegal, Madagascar, Asia. Bark is poisonous and emetic and antihelminthic. Various preparations are widely used for numerous conditions and the oxitocic albitocin is abortifacient. However, studies on the seeds and bark of other Albizia species in Africa, demonstrate it is highly toxic, half a kilogram of seeds given to a quarter ton bull, killed it in two hours (Neuwinger, 1996). A useful tree for controlling soil erosion, producing shade in coffee plantations, and as a decorative shade tree in gardens. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Albizia julibrissin Durazz. Fabaceae. Persian silk tree. Called 'shabkhosb' in Persian, meaning 'sleeping tree' as the pinnate leaves close up at night. Tropical tree. Named for Filippo degli Albizzi, an Italian naturalist, who brought seeds from Constantinople to Florence in 1749, and introduced it to European horticulture. The specific epithet comes from the Persian 'gul-i abrisham' which means 'silk flower'. Distribution: South Africa to Ethiopia, Senegal, Madagascar, Asia. Bark is poisonous and emetic and antihelminthic. Various preparations are widely used for numerous conditions and the oxitocic albitocin is abortifacient. However, studies on the seeds and bark of other Albizia species in Africa, demonstrate it is highly toxic, half a kilogram of seeds given to a quarter ton bull, killed it in two hours (Neuwinger, 1996). A useful tree for controlling soil erosion, producing shade in coffee plantations, and as a decorative shade tree in gardens. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • A cycad plant (Zamia species) with three large fruit. Photograph.
  • A tropical orchid (Epidendrum variegatum): flowering stem and floral segments. Coloured lithograph.
  • Five plants, all species of the genus Symplocos: flowering stems and floral segments. Coloured lithograph.
  • Five orchids, all species of the genus Epidendrum: flowering stems and some floral segments. Coloured lithograph.
  • Japanese pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata): tear-drop shaped fruit. Watercolour.
  • Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida): one box shaped fruit. Watercolour.
  • Japanese pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata): rounded fruit. Watercolour.
  • Amaranthus spinosus L.: flowering stem with separate root and floral segments. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 177-.
  • A plant (Cynometra cauliflora L.): trunk bearing flowers and fruit, and separate floral sections. Chromolithograph by P. Depannemaeker, c.1885, after B. Hoola van Nooten.
  • A durian (Durio zibethinus): an entire and sectioned fruit. Photograph.
  • Custard apple or Sweetsop (Annona squamosa L.): fruiting branch with sections of fruit, flowers and seeds. Chromolithograph by P. Depannemaeker, c. 1885, after B. Hoola van Nooten.
  • A mangosteen plant (Garcinia mangostana): fruiting branch and halved fruit. Photograph.
  • Custard apple (Annona triloba): fruiting and flowering branch and seed. Coloured etching by I. Barlow after J. Rysbrack.
  • A fruiting breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis). Photograph.
  • An orchid (Catasetum bungerothi N.E.Brown): flowering plant. Chromolithograph.
  • Calabash nutmeg plant (Monodora myristica): flowering stem, fruit and floral segments. Coloured lithograph.
  • Large fruited granadilla (Passiflora macrocarpa): flowering stem, flower and outline of fruit. Coloured etching.
  • A species of the genus Lepisanthes: fruiting and flowering branch with separate numbered flowers and section of fruit. Chromolithograph by P. Depannemaeker, c.1885, after B. Hoola van Nooten.
  • A large aloe plant (Aloe species). Photograph.
  • African peach (Sarcocephalus latifolius): fruiting and flowering stem with section of fruit. Coloured steel engraving by W. Say, c. 1812, after B. Cotton.
  • Singapore: two large traveller's palms (Ravenala madagascariensis) in the garden of a club house. Photograph by J. Taylor, 1881.