Detail of Helonius bullata or Spear-leaved Helonius

Detail of Helonius bullata or Spear-leaved Helonius

Helonius bullata, or Spear-leaved Helonius, reproduction detail of blossom from Benjamin Maund’s Botanic Garden published in London in 1829. The black ink is from a copper engraving; the colour is done by skilled artists using water-colour paint. The background is the colour of the paper in the book. As each page was hand-painted, it is a unique work of art.
This variety was introduced to London in 1758 from North America.
Maund writes of this plant:
“Helonius, from the Greek HELOS, a marsh, seems to have been adopted on account of the moist situations in which some of the species are found indigenous. Bullata, from the Latin, signifying decked with studs; given in allusion to the studded appearance which the anthers produce in the general effect of the raceme of flowers. As bullata also signifies vain or empty, it is not unappropriate to the plant, as a scentless beauty.
If not odiferous, it is very attractive in appearance, and nicely adapted for cultivation in a pot; or in the mixed flower border, with Scilla, Hyacinth, Narcissus, or similar spring beauties.”
See also the image of the complete plant.

Detail of Helonius bullata or Spear-leaved Helonius belongs to the following groups: