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William Curtis Collection

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: William Curtis collecting plant specimens, 18th century

William Curtis collecting plant specimens, 18th century
William Curtis and other gentlemen botanists collecting plant specimens in a rural landscape, England, 18th century. Frontispiece to Flora Londinensis

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Oval portrait of William Curtis, botanist and publisher

Oval portrait of William Curtis, botanist and publisher
Oval portrait of William Curtis, FLS, apothecary, botanist and publisher, author of the Flora Londinensis and The Botanical Magazine, 1746-1799

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Oval portrait of William Curtis, botanist and publisher

Oval portrait of William Curtis, botanist and publisher
Oval portrait of William Curtis, FLS, botanist and publisher, author of the Flora Londinensis and The Botanical Magazine. 1746-1799

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Superb hibiscus, Hibiscus speciosus

Superb hibiscus, Hibiscus speciosus. Ambiguous. Native of Carolina, cultivated by Dr John Fothergill in 1778

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Berry heath, Erica baccans

Berry heath, Erica baccans
Berry heath or arbutus-flowered heath, Erica baccans. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1774

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Mallow bindweed, Convolvulus althaeoides

Mallow bindweed, Convolvulus althaeoides
Mallow bindweed, mallow-leaved bindweed or silky-leaved convolvulus, Convolvulus althaeoides. Cultivated by John Tradescant in 1656

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Great quaking grass, Briza maxima

Great quaking grass, Briza maxima. Native to Spain and Italy, common in London gardens in the 17th century

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Masson's heath, Erica massonii

Masson's heath, Erica massonii. Erica massoni. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson to the Royal Garden at Kew

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Little evening primrose, Oenothera perennis

Little evening primrose, Oenothera perennis
Little evening primrose, small sundrops, or small evening primrose, Oenothera perennis. Dwarf oenothera, Oenothera pumila

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Sticky monkey-flower, Diplacus aurantiacus

Sticky monkey-flower, Diplacus aurantiacus
Sticky monkey-flower or orange bush monkey-flower, Diplacus aurantiacus. Orange monkey-flower, Mimulus aurantiacus

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Hermannia species

Hermannia species. Cut-leaved mahernia, Mahernia incisa. Raised by James Colvill, nurseryman of King's Road, Chelsea

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Rose of Mexico, Oenothera rosea

Rose of Mexico, Oenothera rosea. Purple oenothera, Oenothera purpurea. Native to Mexico and Texas, introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew in 1791

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Saffron-coloured saxifrage, Saxifraga mutata

Saffron-coloured saxifrage, Saxifraga mutata
Saffron-coloured saxifrage or rockfoil, Saxifraga mutata. Native to the Alps, Europe, introduced by Mr Daval or Orbe in Switzerland

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Kangaroo apple, Solanum laciniatum

Kangaroo apple, Solanum laciniatum
Kangaroo apple or cut-leaved nightshade, Solanum laciniatum. Aiton. Native to Australia, raised by Conrad Loddiges, nurseryman at Hackney

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Common sugarbush, Protea repens

Common sugarbush, Protea repens
Common sugarbush or suikerbossie, Protea repens. Honey-bearing protea, Protea mellifera. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1774

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Fothergill's slipper-wort, Calceolaria fothergillii

Fothergill's slipper-wort, Calceolaria fothergillii. Aiton. Introduced by Dr John Forthergill

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Rose of Mexico, Oenothera rosea

Rose of Mexico, Oenothera rosea
Rosy evening-primrose, rose evening primrose, pink evening primrose, Rose of Mexico, rose-coloured oenothera, Oenothera rosea. Native to Peru, introduced by French botanist Andre Thouin in 1783

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Spear-leaved milkwort, Polygala bracteolata

Spear-leaved milkwort, Polygala bracteolata. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1787

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Zigzag capegorse, Aspalathus bracteata

Zigzag capegorse, Aspalathus bracteata. Small-leaved aspalathus, Aspalathus pedunculata. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1775

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Lepelblom, Gladiolus cunonius

Lepelblom, Gladiolus cunonius
Lepelblom or suikerkannetjie, Gladiolus cunonius. Scarlet-flowered antholyza, Antholyza cunonia. Native to the Cape, South Africa, and Persia

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Erica subdivaricata

Erica subdivaricata. Blush-flowered heath, Erica persoluta. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1774

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Star hyacinth, Scilla amoena

Star hyacinth, Scilla amoena. Starry hyacinth or Byzantine squill, Scilla amaena. Native of the Levant, introduced by Edward la Zouche, Lord Zouche, in 1600

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Muraltia heisteria

Muraltia heisteria. Heath-leaved milkwort, Polygala heisteria. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1787

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Typhonium trilobatum

Typhonium trilobatum. Three-lobed arum, Arum trilobatum. Native to southern China, Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, introduced from Ceylon in 1752

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Large-flowered selfheal, Prunella grandiflora

Large-flowered selfheal, Prunella grandiflora
Large-flowered selfheal or great-flowered self-heal, Prunella grandiflora. Native to Europe

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Bush allamanda, Allamanda schottii

Bush allamanda, Allamanda schottii. Willow-leaved allamanda, Allamanda cathartica. Native to Cayenne and Guyana, introduced by Christian Ludwig, Baron von Hake, in 1785

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Hairy canary-clover, Lotus hirsutus

Hairy canary-clover, Lotus hirsutus
Hairy canary-clover or hairy bird's-foot-trefoil, Lotus hirsutus. Synonym Dorycnium hirsutum. Native to the Mediterranean, raised by James Sutherland in 1683

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Round-leaved restharrow, Ononis rotundifolia

Round-leaved restharrow, Ononis rotundifolia
Round-leaved rest-harrow, Ononis rotundifolia. Native to the Alps in Switzerland

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Chinese St. John's-wort, Hypericum monogynum

Chinese St. John's-wort, Hypericum monogynum. Native to China and Taiwan, introduced by Hugh, Duke of Northumberland in 1753

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Great honeywort, Cerinthe major

Great honeywort, Cerinthe major. Native to the Mediterranean, Cerinthe glaber of Miller

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Narrowleaf evening primrose, Oenothera fruticosa

Narrowleaf evening primrose, Oenothera fruticosa
Narrowleaf evening primrose, narrow-leaved sundrops, or shrubby oenothera, Oenothera fruticosa. Native to Virginia, North America

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Yellow restharrow, Ononis natrix

Yellow restharrow, Ononis natrix. Yellow-flowered rest-harrow. Native to Spain and France, cultivated by James Sutherland in 1683

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Sheep laurel, Kalmia angustifolia

Sheep laurel, Kalmia angustifolia
Sheep laurel or narrow-leaved kalmia, Kalmia angustifolia. Native to North America, introduced by Peter Collinson in 1736

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Crested anoda, Anoda cristata

Crested anoda, Anoda cristata
Spurred anoda, crested anoda or violettas, Anoda cristata. Crested sida, Sida cristata. Native to Mexico, introduced by Sherard at Eltham nursery in 1725

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Indian chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum indicum

Indian chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum indicum. Native of Japan, introduced by James Colvill, nurseryman of King's Road, Chelsea

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum

Crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum
Crimson clover, Italian clover or crimson trefoil, Trifolium incarnatum. Native to Italy, Europe, raised by Scottish botanist William Aiton at the Royal Garden of Kew

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Snake jasmine, Rhinacanthus nasutus

Snake jasmine, Rhinacanthus nasutus. Dichotomous justicia, Justicia nasuta. Introduced by Scottish botanist William Aiton to the Royal Garden at Kew

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Green-flowered fig-marigold, Mesembryanthemum viridiflorum

Green-flowered fig-marigold, Mesembryanthemum viridiflorum. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1774

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Toadflax, Linaria triphylla

Toadflax, Linaria triphylla. Three-leaved toad-flax, Antirrhinum triphyllum. Native of Spain and Sicily

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Flowering raspberry, Rubus odoratus

Flowering raspberry, Rubus odoratus. Native of North America

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Pig's ear, Cotyledon orbiculata

Pig's ear, Cotyledon orbiculata
Round-leaved navel-wort or pig's ear, Cotyledon orbiculata. Angola to Cape, South Africa

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Woolly manulea, Manulea tomentosa

Woolly manulea, Manulea tomentosa. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1774

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Scarlet lobelia or cardinal's flower, Lobelia cardinalis

Scarlet lobelia or cardinal's flower, Lobelia cardinalis

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Shrubby milkwort, Polygaloides chamaebuxus

Shrubby milkwort, Polygaloides chamaebuxus. Box-leaved milk-wort, Polygala chamaebuxus. Native to Austria and Switzerland

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Blue pimpernel, Lysimachia monelli

Blue pimpernel, Lysimachia monelli
blue pimpernel or garden pimpernel, Lysimachia monelli. Italian pimpernel, Anagallis monelli. Native to the Mediterranean, Italy and Spain

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: St. Bruno's lily, Paradisea liliastrum

St. Bruno's lily, Paradisea liliastrum. Savoy anthericum, Anthericum liliastrum. Native of Switzerland

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Shrubby rest-harrow, Ononis fruticosa

Shrubby rest-harrow, Ononis fruticosa. Native to the south of France

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Horn-leaved crane's-bill, Pelargonium ceratophyllum

Horn-leaved crane's-bill, Pelargonium ceratophyllum. Native to the Cape, South Africa. Introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew by Anthony Hove in 1786

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Yellow flax or golden flax, Linum flavum

Yellow flax or golden flax, Linum flavum. Native to central and southern Europe

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Triangular-stalked genista, Genista triquetra or Spartium trique

Triangular-stalked genista, Genista triquetra or Spartium triquetrum. Native to Corsica, introduced by John Ord in 1770

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Garland flower, Daphne cneorum

Garland flower, Daphne cneorum
Garland flower, rose daphne or trailing daphne, Daphne cneorum. Native to Switzerland and Austria

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Alpine erinus, Erinus alpinus

Alpine erinus, Erinus alpinus
Fairy foxglove or alpine erinus, Erinus alpinus. Native to Central and Southern Europe

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Rose acacia, Robinia hispida

Rose acacia, Robinia hispida
Rough-stalked robinia or rose acacia, Robinia hispida. Native of Carolina, America

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Prickly-stalked geranium, Pelargonium echinatum

Prickly-stalked geranium, Pelargonium echinatum. Native to the Cape, South Africa, introduced by Mr. Colvill, nurseryman in the King's Road, Chelsea

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Rose mock vervain, Verbena canadensis

Rose mock vervain, Verbena canadensis. Verbena canadensis Rose vervain, Verbena aubletia. Native to North America, introduced by Richard in 1774

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Marsh-mallow-leaved hermannia, Hermannia althaeifolia

Marsh-mallow-leaved hermannia, Hermannia althaeifolia. Native to the Cape, South Africa

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Grey-leaved euryops, Euryops pectinatus subsp. pectinatus

Grey-leaved euryops, Euryops pectinatus subsp. pectinatus. Wormwood-leaved othonna, Othonna pectinata. Native to the Cape, South Africa, and New Holland, Australia

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Hermannia lavandulifolia

Hermannia lavandulifolia. Malvales shrub of the Cape, South Africa. Lavender-leaved hermannia, Hermannia lavendulifolia

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Barbados lily, Hippeastrum puniceum

Barbados lily, Hippeastrum puniceum. Amaryllis equestris. Native to the West Indies, introduced by Dr. William Pitcairn in 1778

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Flask heath, Erica ampullacea

Flask heath, Erica ampullacea. Native to the Cape, South Africa. Imported by Williams, nurseryman at Turnham Green

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Myrtle wattle, Acacia myrtifolia

Myrtle wattle, Acacia myrtifolia. Myrtle-leaved mimosa, Mimosa myrtifolia. Native to New South Wales, Australia

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Dwarf honey flower, Melianthus elongatus

Dwarf honey flower, Melianthus elongatus. Small melianthus or honeyflower, Melianthus minor. Native to the Cape of South Africa, cultivated by the Duchess of Beaufort in 1708

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Everlasting, Syncarpha eximia

Everlasting, Syncarpha eximia. Giant cudweed, Gnaphalium eximium. Native to South Africa, imported via the Hammersmith Nursery of Lewis Kennedy and James Lee

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Alder-leaved hermannia, Hermannia alnifolia

Alder-leaved hermannia, Hermannia alnifolia. Malvales shrub from the Cape of South Africa

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Dittany of Crete, Origanum dictamnus

Dittany of Crete, Origanum dictamnus. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after a botanical illustration from William Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Stephen Couchman, London, 1795

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Superb pink, Dianthus superbus

Superb pink, Dianthus superbus. Native of France, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Rose of heaven, Silene coeli-rosa

Rose of heaven, Silene coeli-rosa. Smooth-leaved cockle or rose campion, Agrostemia coeli rosa. Native of Sicily and the Levant

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Gouty houseleek, Aichryson tortuosum

Gouty houseleek, Aichryson tortuosum. Native to the Canary Islands. Sempervivum tortuosum

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Guernsey lily, Nerine sarniensis

Guernsey lily, Nerine sarniensis
Guernsey lily or Jersey lily, Nerine sarniensis. Guernsey amaryllis, Amaryllis sarniensis. Native of Japan, imported to Guernsey via a Dutch or English shipwreck

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Cupid's dart, Catananche caerulea

Cupid's dart, Catananche caerulea
Cupid's dart or blue catananche, Catananche caerulea. Native to the south of France and the Mediterranean

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Lachnaea grandiflora

Lachnaea grandiflora. Great-flowered passerina, Passerina grandiflora. Native to the Cape, South Africa. From the Hammersmith Nursery of Lewis Kennedy and James Lee

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: The caper shrub, Capparis spinosa

The caper shrub, Capparis spinosa
The caper shrub or Flinders rose, Capparis spinosa. Native to southern Europe and the Levant. used as a pickled garnish

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Winter daffodil, Sternbergia lutea

Winter daffodil, Sternbergia lutea. Native of Spain, known to Dutch florists as yellow Colchicum. Yellow amaryllis, Amaryliis lutea

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Gladiolus orchidiflorus

Gladiolus orchidiflorus. Winged cornflag, Algoa Bay variety, Gladiolus alatus B

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Convolvulus oleifolius var. oleifolius

Convolvulus oleifolius var. oleifolius. Narrow-leaved convolvulus, Convolvulus linearis

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Cypella herbertii

Cypella herbertii
Tiger flower, Cypella herbertii. Mr. George Herbert's tiger-flower, Tigridia herberti. Native to Argentina, flowered for the first time in Europe at Rev

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: White rain lily, Zephyranthes candida

White rain lily, Zephyranthes candida
White rain lily or Peruvian zephyranthes, Zephyranthes candida. Native to Peru and Argentina, drawn at Spofforth nursery

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Red leschenaultia, Lechenaultia formosa

Red leschenaultia, Lechenaultia formosa
Red leschenaultia or handsome lechenaultia, Lechenaultia formosa. Native to Lucky Bay, New South Wales, New Holland (Australia), drawn at Robert Barclay's collection at Bury Hill

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Beaked triggerplant, Stylidium adnatum

Beaked triggerplant, Stylidium adnatum
Beaked triggerplant or one-celled stylidium, Stylidium adnatum. Native to King's George Sound, Australia (New Holland), imported by Robert Barclay

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Fountainbush, Psoralea imbricata

Fountainbush, Psoralea imbricata. Tiled hallia, Hallia imbricata. Native to the Cape, South Africa, sent by James Charles Tate's  Nursery and Botanic Garden in Sloane Street, Chelsea

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Oxblood lily, Rhodophiala bifida

Oxblood lily, Rhodophiala bifida. Two-cleft habranthus, Habranthus bifidus

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Barren strawberry, Waldsteinia geoides

Barren strawberry, Waldsteinia geoides
Barren strawberry or avens-like waldsteinia, Waldsteinia geoides. Native of Europe, drawn at the Nathaniel Hodson's Botanic Garden, Bury St. Edmunds

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Pink rain lily, Zephyranthes minuta

Pink rain lily, Zephyranthes minuta. Striped zephyranthes, Zephyranthes striata

Background imageWilliam Curtis Collection: Rosepink zephyr lily, Zephyranthes carinata

Rosepink zephyr lily, Zephyranthes carinata
Rosepink zephyr lily, pink rain lily, or keeled-leaved zephyranthes, Zephyranthes carinata. Native of Mexico, introduced by Mr



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