Petalostigma banksii: Plate 301
Engraved plate
Plate 301 from Banks' Florilegium shows Petalostigma banksii (Euphorbiaceae). Petalostigma banksii has rough, dark bark and shining yellow-green leaves. It has small fleshy fruits that split open when dry to release seed. It is one of the plants referred to as the quinine berry. Solander suspected that this plant was new to science and named it Clutiodes baccata, placing it close to Linnaeus's Clutia (plants found in Africa and Arabia). Its name was later changed to Petalostigma banksii, in honour of Joseph Banks.
The plate was engraved by Gerald Sibelius.
Photo: George Serras.
Take a closer look at the Petalostigma banksii plate
(Flash 8 compatible - download Flash)
Specimen
This specimen of Petalostigma banksii (Euphorbiaceae) was collected by Banks and Solander at Endeavour River, Queensland. Courtesy: Royal National Botanical Gardens.
Sketch
This sketch was completed by Endeavour artist Sydney Parkinson in 1770. Courtesy: The Natural History Museum, London.
Watercolour
This watercolour, based on Parkinson's sketch, was painted by Frederick Polydore Nodder in 1781. Courtesy: The Natural History Museum, London.