@Aga Tentaculus
Please do not translate vernacular German plant names to English, no English speaker can make sense of 'seven-pointed star' or 'one-berry'. This is why we have scientific Latin names for organisms which are universally understood in all languages. Or at least use the accepted vernacular English names.
But yes I agree, Lysimachia europaea can be found in the alpine region and was used in medicine. Yet why would anyone draw such plant without its iconic flower? Is there any depiction of Lysimachia / Trientalis europaea in medieval herbals?
Also yes, an opening bud of Paris quadrifolia can somewhat look like the VM 'flower' with anthers protruding from the opening sepals, see image attached. I still find it hard to believe anyone familiar with Paris quadrifolia would depict it like this on purpose.
The 'tentacles' look like Drosera, indeed Drosera intermedia has its southernmost distribution in the south alps. It was used in folk medicine, witchcraft and alchemy.
All in all I agree with Julian Sali, the best way to make sense of VM plants is to compare them to illustrations in contemporary manuscripts. Personally I do not believe these are supposed to be accurate depictions of real plants, rather a mixture of different plants or entirely fantastic creations. Especially the roots. The Trento herbal also features strange animals as roots. Is the manuscript as a whole available online somewhere?
Please do not translate vernacular German plant names to English, no English speaker can make sense of 'seven-pointed star' or 'one-berry'. This is why we have scientific Latin names for organisms which are universally understood in all languages. Or at least use the accepted vernacular English names.
But yes I agree, Lysimachia europaea can be found in the alpine region and was used in medicine. Yet why would anyone draw such plant without its iconic flower? Is there any depiction of Lysimachia / Trientalis europaea in medieval herbals?
(18-11-2023, 03:22 PM)Juan_Sali wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I am quite intrigued by this image as the leaves are clearly identifiable as Paris quardifolia while the flower is also very clearly an Araceae like Arum maculatum or the mediterranean Dracunculus vulgaris. So this illustration mixes two completely different plants.
Also yes, an opening bud of Paris quadrifolia can somewhat look like the VM 'flower' with anthers protruding from the opening sepals, see image attached. I still find it hard to believe anyone familiar with Paris quadrifolia would depict it like this on purpose.
The 'tentacles' look like Drosera, indeed Drosera intermedia has its southernmost distribution in the south alps. It was used in folk medicine, witchcraft and alchemy.
All in all I agree with Julian Sali, the best way to make sense of VM plants is to compare them to illustrations in contemporary manuscripts. Personally I do not believe these are supposed to be accurate depictions of real plants, rather a mixture of different plants or entirely fantastic creations. Especially the roots. The Trento herbal also features strange animals as roots. Is the manuscript as a whole available online somewhere?