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  • A plant, possibly of the Apocynaceae family: flowering stem. Watercolour.
  • Fruits, seeds and leaves of a plant possibly in the Apocynaceae family. Watercolour.
  • A plant, possibly of the Apocynaceae family: woody stem with white flowers. Watercolour.
  • 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.
  • Indian Snakeroot or Java Devilpepper (Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Kurz): flowering and fruiting branches, root, inflorescence and sectioned fruit with seeds. Coloured line engraving.
  • Dyeing: vats and cauldrons for extracting indigo. Coloured engraving by J. Pass.
  • Periwinkle (Vinca sp.): entire flowering plant. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1772.
  • Periwinkle (Vinca sp.): entire sterile plant. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1772.
  • Oleander or rose-bay (?Nerium oleander): flowering stem. Watercolour.
  • A tropical plant (Acokanthera spectabilis): flowering stem. Coloured lithograph by W. G. Smith, c. 1872, after himself.
  • An oleander plant (Nerium oleander): flowering stem. Coloured lithograph, c. 1850, after A. Bétrérnieux (?).
  • Dogbane (Apocynum sp.): fruiting stem with separate flower cluster, sectioned fruit and seeds. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1772.
  • Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): flowering stem with separate flower. Watercolour.
  • Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): flowering stem with separate flowers. Watercolour.
  • Dogbane (Apocynum erectum Vell.): flowering stem with separate leaf, rhizome swelling, fruit and sectioned flower. Coloured etching by M. Bouchard, 1772.
  • A plant (Odontadenia speciosa): flowers and leaf. Chromolithograph, c. 1870, after H. Briscoe.
  • Seven British garden plants: flowering stems and some floral segments. Coloured etching, c. 1833.
  • Strophanthus dichotomus Decne.: flowering branch with separate numbered sections of flower, follicle and seed. Chromolithograph by P. Depannemaeker, c.1885, after B. Hoola van Nooten.
  • Four examples of single flowers: a deadly nightshade, thorn apple, periwinkle and wallflower. Coloured etching by F. Sansom, c. 1802, after S. Edwards.
  • Vinca major - double flowered