Heritage Botanicals: A Triptych of 1880 Parisian Flora

The images are botanical illustrations from "Les Plantes à Feuillage Coloré," published in Paris in 1880 with J. Rothschild as the editor. These prints are characteristic of the period's fascination with botany and the detailing of plant species for scientific and decorative purposes.

1. The first print shows a leaf from the plant 'Peperomia argyrea.' It's depicted with a heart-shaped structure, dark green on the upper side with characteristic silver banding. The leaf connects to the stem with a pinkish-red petiole. The detailed veins give it a ribbed appearance, typical for this species.

2. The second print illustrates a leaf from 'Canna atronigricans.' This leaf has a lanceolate shape, which means it's much longer than it is wide, with a tapered tip. The color is a deep, rich burgundy or maroon with a lighter colored central vein. The overall appearance is quite bold and suggests a species with a tropical origin.

3. The third print depicts leaves from 'Coleus Blumei var. Marshallii, Murrayi, Telfordi,' known for their vivid and variable foliage. The leaves shown here are broad and serrated, with a mix of bright green and deep red-purplish tones, forming intricate patterns. The striking contrast in color and the detailed venation are clearly visible, demonstrating the diversity within the coleus varieties.

Each illustration is highly detailed, showcasing the textures and patterns of the leaves, indicative of the expertise and care that went into creating these botanical illustrations. These plates are labeled with their botanical names and the plate number, adhering to the scientific practices of the time for plant documentation and identification.