What is a Florilegium?
A florilegium (latin for “gathering flowers”) is a collection of illustrations that vibrantly document plants from a particular region or botanic garden. NTBG’s Florilegium is a group of botanical illustrators and artists gathered by Draw Botanical instructors, Wendy Hollender, Vern Fannin, and Sam McWilliams. (Learn more about our instructor team here.)
The group comes together annually at NTBG’s Headquarters to illustrate the world’s largest collection of native Hawaiian flora. The 24 international artists whose works are featured in this florilegium have gathered at NTBG since 2016, generously donating their time and talent to create this beautiful and unique collection.
See the Florilegium Art Show Exhibit from 2023 here
“I am so proud of this amazing talented and dedicated group of artists that come together each year to work together for two weeks and then donate our work to the NTBG. I am especially proud of my former students that have become members of this group. It makes me so proud to see how their own work has developed and become on the level of these other established botanical artists that join us from around the world.” – Wendy Hollender
Photo Gallery of Seeds from Hawai’i
Plus Botanical Fun Facts!
In this amazing post by Charlie Harrison at NTBG, each image is a close-up of seeds drawn by our NTBG Florilegium Society artists over the years, taken from detailed illustrations of the entire plant, and accompanied by photographs of the living plants themselves. Together, the illustrations and photos invite us to reflect on the beauty of plants and the essential role seeds play in their life stories. Here are some excerpts from Charlie’s post, including illustrations by our talented staff and students.
Seeds come in an incredible array of shapes, sizes, and forms, each with its own story to tell. In this photo gallery, we take a closer look at a selection of seeds—from Hawaiʻi’s endemic pua kala to jackfruit, cacao, and other tropical plants, as well as rare seeds preserved through conservation efforts.
Pua Kala, Argemone glauca
by Harriet O’Donnell, Draw Botanical student
Pua kala is the only poppy endemic to Hawaiʻi. The prickly stem and pod that hold its seeds is a rarity — most Hawaiian native plants don’t have thorns, prickles, or other physical defenses. Pua kala is also one of the first flowers to come back after a wildfire.
Pongam, pongamia, Millettia pinnata
by Wendy Hollender, Draw Botanical instructor
Pongamia is an incredibly versatile plant, and is the only member of the genus Pongamia. The seeds can be used to make oil, the leaves can be used to make herbal medicines, and the wood can be burned and used as fuel or the ashes as a dye. Also known as the malapari tree, it is drought resistant, making it suitable for helping reforest land in its native range of tropical Asia, Australia, and some Pacific islands.
Hōʻawa, Pittosporum napaliense
By Vern Fannin, Draw Botanical instructor
In traditional Hawaiian canoe making, the wood of the hōʻawa has been used for gunwales. Additionally, the hōʻawa nut, where the seeds of the plant can be found, are known to be a favorite food of the ʻalalā, the Hawaiian crow.
Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus
By Vern Fannin, Draw Botanical instructor
Jackfruit is an incredibly nutritious food, being sweet enough to be eaten as a desert when ripe, or even used as a meat replacement. The jackfruit can weigh up to 120 pounds and a single tree can produce up to 200 jackfruits a year, making it a great source of food.
Tamarind, Tamarindus indica
By Esther Carpi, Draw Botanical student
Tamarind is a monotypic plant, meaning that it is the only plant in its genus Tamarindus. Tamarind is grown around the tropical regions of the world, making it a beloved flavor in many different cuisines.
