Guava

In this portrait of a flowering guava branch, Ehret was exceptional in his depiction of the complex vein pattern of the waxy leaves. In contrast to the stark branch on the right that sweeps across the sheet, the left hand side of the composition is laden with guava fruits and a plethora of leaves. With a keen eye for scientific illustration, Ehret included the white guava blossoms seen open from the front and the back. With the subtle application of pink tones over white, the flowers with their feathery stamens provide a delicate contrast to the bolder portrayal of leaves and fruits.