An American in Holland Spiranthes lucida and various accompanying plants. Common names: Glansschroeforchis, Shining ladies’ tresses The summer of 2021 has brought many extraordinary expeditions, among others to a plant that is a bit of a mystery. In 2014 a beautiful and delicate orchid was discovered in Ameide. It is native to eastern Canada and the United States, yet 12 plants were in full bloom here in the Netherlands. Shining Ladies’-tresses grow in saturated, calcareous soils. Typical habitats include stream and river banks or floodplain terraces, similar to our location here along the river Lek. How they found there way to the Netherlands is still a mystery! Watercolour on vellum 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 in)		White Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera var. chlorantha and various accompanying plants. This painting was made after an exciting plant expedition to the dunes in Holland where we found an exquisite white variety of a bee orchid. The beautiful grass Briza media and various species from the clover family accompanied the orchids in this area. Watercolour on vellum 25 x 37 cm (9.8 x 14.5 in)

Early spider-orchid Ophrys spruneri Bee Orchid series, #1 RHS Gold Medal 2018   Watercolour on paper 45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 in)		Sawfly orchid Ophrys tenthredinifera Bee Orchid series, #6 RHS Gold Medal 2018   Watercolour on paper 45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 in)

Vallée des Orchidées Ophrys fuciflora, Ophrys insectifera and various accompanying plants. This painting was made after a most exciting plant expedition to the beautiful South of Belgium where we found these gorgeous orchids on a hill. Watercolour on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.6 x 15.7 in)		Giant orchid Himantoglossum robertianum In March 2020 this species was discovered in the dunes of Noordwijk. It was a privilege to paint this orchid, new for the Netherlands. Read more about it here.  Watercolour on paper 80 x 60 cm (31.5 x 23.6 in)

Bee orchid Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid series, #2 RHS Gold Medal 2018   Watercolour on paper 45 x 35 cm (17.7 x 13.7 in)		Seaweeds composition #1 Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilariopsis longissima These seaweeds form a composition of seaweeds from the Noth Sea. This piece was made for Naturalis Biodiversity Center and included in the series "Leven in de Noordzee". Watercolour on paper 15 x 30 cm (6 x 11.8 in)

Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera This Tulip tree was planted in 1716 by Prof. Herman Boerhaave, prefect of the Hortus Botanicus Leiden at that time, making this specimen 300 years old in 2016. Pen and Ink on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.7 in)		Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera This artwork was also inspired by the over 300 year old Tulip tree at the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The painting was part of the exhibition Out of the Woods in the US and is now part of a respected privat collection. Watercolour on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.7 in)

Dried Fruit Composition A composition of various types of dried fruit found at the Missouri botanical garden. Watercolour on paper 9 x 12 cm (3.5 x 4.7 in)		My snowdrops Galanthus woronowii Watercolour on Vellum 15x 10 cm (6 x 4 in)

Tulipa 'Estella Rijnveld' Watercolour on paper 40 x 30 cm (15.8 x 11.8 in)		Von Siebolds Lily Lilium speciosum var. rubrum Watercolour on paper 50 x 40 cm (19.7 x 15.8 in)

Selected Botanical Illustrations:

All images are © Naturalis Biodiversity Center.

Orchidaceae Dendrobium goodallianum Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. E. de Vogel, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and R. van Vugt, Hortus Botanicus Leiden.  This species is named in honour of Dame Jane Morris Goodall who is a biologist best known for her work with Chimpanzees.  She still is very active promoting nature conservation across many countries and all generations. Together with Gail Hudson, she recently published the book 'Seeds of Hope', in which an entire chapter is dedicated to the conservation of orchids. Published in Malesian Orchid Journal Vol. 14	Leguminosae Tadehagi triquetrum Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. F. Adema, Naturalis Biodiversity Center - Herbarium.	Orchidaceae Specklinia pfavii Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. A. Karremans, Lankester Botanical Garden, Costa Rica. This orchid species is part of a series of illustrations made for the thesis 'Systematic, phylogenetic and pollination studies of Specklinia (Orchidaceae)'.

Orchidaceae Dendrobium kruizingae Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Dr. E. de Vogel, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and R. van Vugt, Hortus Botanicus Leiden.	Fungi Russula vesca Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for publication in Persoonia.	Euphorbiaceae Endospermum diadenum Pen and Ink on paper, 24 x 36 cm Drawn for Prof. dr. P. van Welzen, Naturalis Biodiversity Center - Herbarium.

 

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