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Plant ID (very old pic)

Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
in Plants
A question for learned botanists... My archivist/scholar brother is asking me to identify the plant displayed as an illumination of this Latin manuscript (dated 1461). It's obviously stylized, but suggestions are welcome.

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    country of origin might help (if known)


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Just a guess - Echinocystis lobata
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited March 2019
    It may have just been made up by the calligrapher.
    All sorts of weird and wonderful things appear in manuscripts!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Country of origin (of the Latin manuscript): France (Vendée). Date: 15th century.
    Yes, it might have been invented by the calligrapher, but maybe after an existing plant in that age and place. Keep trying. Thanks. :)
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Is there anything in the text itself that could give a clue.
    Is the book a herbal for instance?
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    They are a bit like sundew (Drosera sp. )leaves with the sticky bits.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Good shout LB but, as I understand it, it's from the USA so a bit too late for this manuscript.

    Sundew is definitely a possibility.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    There are what look like curly tendrils as well as the fruit/seedpod thingies.  Maybe a very stylised passion fruit? (not sure about the hairy bits on the fruit though).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    what plants did they use to make ink way back in 1461?

    Some manuscripts used wine and blackthorn in the ink.
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Bit of a stretch but hops? I’d have thought they include a leaf though... perhaps it was the illustrators day off lol!
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