Australian Native Rose, Boronia serrulata. Original botanical lithograph c1896

by Maiden, J.H.

Antique print of Australian Boronia serrulata, called native rose because of the shape of its flowers. It was named Borone in memory of Italian Francis Borone, faithful personal attendant of Dr. Sibthorp, the author of 'Flora Graeca' (Greek Flora). Named serrulata (a little saw) describes the teeth of the margin of a leaf are small and saw-shaped. If held up to the light it can be seen that the leaves are coveredc with tiny dots of oil, which gave the plant its distinctive pungent scent. This small shrub can be  up to a metre high, and belongs to the natural order Rutaceae.

Richard Baker supervised lithographic artists E.W. Minchen and H.J.A. Baron for Joseph Maiden. The lithograph measures 225 x 150mm (9 x 6 inches), and with both botanical names and common names the illustrations were aimed at making the public aware of the Colony's principal flowering shrubs, plants, ferns, and forest trees of economic value. Groupls of these beautiful lithographs were published in Sydney between 1895 and 1898 by the New South Wales Department of Mines and Agriculture (Forest Branch).

The page size is 240 x 180mm (9.5 x 7 inches). Image size is 225 x 150mm (9 x 6 inches).