Comparison of the structure of plants in the VMS and other medieval Manuscripts.

[Koen G]

Ethel Voynich had this same problem a century ago. Her entry for f5r:

5r

(Compare [[f15v]])
Something liliaceous? Possibly the Paris; but the drawing suggests a whorl of 9 leaves. Look in MS. If the divisions are midribs, it is probably the Paris.
Later. Have examined MS. It is a whorl of 4 leaves, the colours alternating (dark and light green of upper and under surfaces). There is a suggestion of a fifth leaf; this occasionally occurs. I believe this is the Paris. But also, See Plate 16 left [[f15v]].
See notes + Env. 2 [[Envelope 2 - see footnote 1]]

Strange as this seems, it may be meant for Lilium Martagon. In any case it is the lily family without a doubt.
(I believe 16 left [[f15v]] to be Lilium  Martagon. They are related = Liliacae.)
Colouring: light green; calyx green; berry black with white (for bloom?).

And for f15v:

15v.

Certainly liliaceous of some kind. The lower part can scarcely be anything else than [[added:either a lily or]] the Paris; but from the top of the stem upwards it is quite impossible for the Paris. The top might easily be the fructification of Botrychium Lunaria, which was associated with the Paris (witchcraft and antidote) [[added:see Gerarde]]; but the capsule even in that case is impossible. The round berry of the Paris (see Plate 5) is sessile on the bracts persistent segments.
Though the Paris and Botrychium belong to different sub-kingdoms, Gerard puts them together. The Paris (Herba Amoris) was used against poisons and witchcraft. The Botrychium was used by witches etc…
The root looks liliaceous, much resembling that of the American relative of the Paris: Medola (Indian Cucumber).
August ‘33. I think the explanation is that it is meant for Lilium Martagon, in fruit. The capsule is fairly good for that, and the brown things coming out would be the seeds emerging from the ripe capsule(?). The root of Lilium Martagon should be more definitely a bulb, but the Liliaceae are very variable in their roots. The Day Lily (Hemerocallis) and Asphodel have roots with several small, irregular semi-bulbs, clustered among the fibrous roots, and this may be one of them, but, in spite of that, I believe the plant intended is Lilium Martagon.

In my opinion, the problem is this: for f5r, the upper part "berry on a stick" looks immediately familiar to anyone who knows the Paris herb. But the leaves don't represent the Paris' typical 4-leaf whorl. Still, this can be interpreted a bit like Ethel does, that we are actually looking at 4 or 5 leaves with differently colored halves.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. has the four leaves, but there is no way we can make the upper part work for the Paris. Moreover, the leaves have these elongated tips, which are not found in nature nor in herbal traditions.

All in all, if any VM plant must be the Paris, I agree with Peter that it is probably You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. . Although I'm afraid an entirely different paradigm will be needed.