Meehan, Native US Flora, Original Chromolithographs, 1879, Set of 6

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The image displays a collection of six chromolithographs depicting various plant species. These illustrations are characterized by their botanical accuracy … Read more The image displays a collection of six chromolithographs depicting various plant species. These illustrations are characterized by their botanical accuracy and aesthetic appeal, typical of late 19th-century natural history publications. Each plate is labeled with the plant's scientific name, showcasing the diversity of flora found within the United States. The plants are rendered with great detail, highlighting their unique characteristics such as leaf shape, flower structure, and root systems. These chromolithographs likely served both an educational purpose for those interested in botany and horticulture, as well as an ornamental one, as they would have been quite decorative when framed or displayed in a book. The artwork reflects the meticulous work of Thomas Meehan, and the images were published by L.Prang and Company in Boston, known for their exquisite chromolithographic work in the 19th century. The book from which these plates come, "The Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States in Their Botanical, Horticultural, and Popular Aspects," serves as a testament to the rich botanical heritage of the United States and the period's appreciation for natural sciences. Based on visual inspection alone, here are possible identifications: The first plant with purple flowers could be a species of orchid, potentially from the genus Cypripedium. The second print shows a red-flowering plant that resembles a species within the Geranium family. The third image depicts a yellow-flowered plant that might be a species of Gelsemium. The fourth print looks like a fern with spore cases, which could be a species from the Polypodium genus. The fifth image with pink-purple flowers resembles a species of Viola. The last one appears to be a species of Anemone, identifiable by its characteristic flowers and leaves. More research needs to be done to identify the flowers and ferns with accuracy. See less