Leaf coloration on f20r

[-JKP-]

So does the leaf coloration on these plants change according to whether or not the branch possesses flowers/berries at the end?  Because something like that seems to be what the VMS illustration is depicting.

Good question.

I'm not familiar with all the plants that do this, but it may be that the seed branches turn more red than the others (many plants only bear berries on the branch's new growth or sometimes on its second-year growth).

Or, another possible interpretation of the drawing is that it's showing spring and mid-year green on the basal branches and fall branches with seeds on the more upright branches.


It was not common to show this much detail in medieval herbals, but there are a few that will feature both the flowers and the later seedheads on the same plant/picture, so it wouldn't be completely unprecedented if it were done this way.


Also, when the red and green are shown alternately, as they are in the VMS, it can mean something else in some herbals. The VMS plant is a bit more naturalistic than many herbals, but in some, the alternating red and green doesn't necessarily mean the facing leaves alternate (although sometimes they do), sometimes they draw it that way to indicate that the fronts of the leaves are one color (e.g., green) and the backs of the leaves are another (e.g., red or purple or a very pale green).

My impression of this specific plant drawing is that it's probably overall more naturalistic than schematic, but it's possible that the leaves are somewhat schematic.