Natural educational image, ideal for enhancing a decoration inspired by nature - Vine-leaf cotton plant by Charles d'Orbigny

Engraving reproduction of: Vine-leaved cotton (Gossypium viti folium, Lamk.)

Illustration taken from the Universal Dictionary of Natural History, written under the direction of Charles Henry Dessalines d'Orbigny (1806-1876) and published from 1841 to 1849.

This work, considered one of the major achievements of the 19th century in terms of scientific synthesis and quality popularization, wonderfully illustrating the great beauty and impressive diversity of the biological world, was supplemented by a certain amount of scientific information, some extracts of which are reproduced below.

Important note: the scientific classification elements of the time have been preserved as they are and may of course be obsolete today.

Scientific classification and description of the species present in the engraving:

Class of Dicotyledonous Plants
Subclass Polypetales
Subdivision of Polypetales-hypogynes
Order Hypogynae-Axospermae
Malvaceae family
Vine-leaved cotton plant (Gossypium viti folium, Lamk.)
Fig. 1. Entire involucre.
Fig. 2. Entire calyx.
Fig. 3. Flower with the anterior part of the calyx, three petals and the lower part of the staminal tube removed, to show the relationships of the floral organs.
Fig. 4. A whole petal, reduced to half size.
Fig. 5. A magnified anther.
Fig. 6. Entire pistil.
Fig. 7. Cross section of the ovary.
Fig. 8. Its longitudinal section.
Fig. 9. Natural-size seed, covered with its hairs which form cotton.
Fig. 10. Longitudinal section of the seed, to show its very irregularly crumpled and folded cotyledons, and the thin layer of almost mucilaginous albumen which surrounds the embryo.
Fig. 11. Embryo with cotyledons spread out and cut transversely.