FLORA OF VIRGINIA

Flora of Virginia highlights the botanical exploration of from colonial days through 2012's publication of Flora of Virginia, the first statewide flora published since the 1762 Flora Virginica by Johannes Gronovius. The 2012 book identifies nearly 3,200 plant species native to or naturalized in the commonwealth. Since the colonial period, Virginia's flora has been collected, described, and drawn. As a botanist uses language to describe plant, a botanical artist uses pen, ink, pencil, or watercolor to help the reader visualize a plant.

The exhibition explored the important connection between the science and the art of the Flora and the history of botanical description and illustration. Flora of Virginia was on physical display at the Library of Virginia from March 27, 2014 through September 13, 2014.