Botanical Illustration of Tussilago by James Sowerby

James Sowerby (1757-1822) created watercolours to illustrate his 36-volume work on the botany of England. Prior to this major project he had collaborated with botanist William Curtis – who had established a botanical garden in Lambeth-providing illustrations for his Flora Londinensis (1777) and the Botanical Magazine (first published in 1787).

This illustration shows Tussilago Alba which is also known as Petasites Albus and commonly called White Butterbur. Tussilago Alba is found across the UK but is native to northen and middle Europe as well as the temperate areas of Asia.