Australian Native Fuchsia, Epacris longiflora, original antique lithograph c1896

by Maiden, J.H.

Beautiful antique botanical lithograph of Epacris Longiflora variety Grandiflora, a crimson and white corolla-tube-blowered shrub from the Apacrideae family. Named for Greek epi (upon) and akris (top), in reference to the species growing on the tops of hills (which is only partly true), and longiflora (long-flowered) or grandiflora (beautiful-flowered). 

Botanical draughtsman Richard Thomas Baker supervised lithographic artists E.W. Minchen and H.J.A. Baron for J.H. Maiden's "Flowering Plants and Ferns of New South Wales", published between 1895 and 1898 by the New South Wales Department of Mines and Agriculture (Forest Branch), to familiarize the public in the Colony's principal flowering shrubs, plants, ferns, and forest trees of economic value. 

Having gained certificates in both science and art from the South Kensington Museum, but emigrated to Australia in 1879. In 1880 he joined Newington College in Sydney as science and art master, and in 1888 was appointed assistant curator to Joseph Maiden at the Sydney Technological Museum. R.T. Baker and succeeded Maiden as curator and economic botanist in 1898.

Size of this chromolithograph is 240 x 180mm (9.5 x 7 inches). The scanned image does not do it justice!