Species Blackwellia rufescens

For Elizabeth Blackwell (1707–1758), Scottish botanist, botanical illustrator and engraver, the first British woman to produce a herbal book. A Curious Herbal was published in 1735 as a reference work designed for physicians. It illustrates in colour some 500 plants and herbs that were considered to have medicinal qualities. She drew specimens of plants from the Chelsea Physic Garden. Sir Hans Sloane provided financial support for this project, which took six years to complete. The funds she raised from this project were used to secure the release of her botanist husband Alexander Blackwell from debtor’s prison. Later, he left his family, relocated to Sweden, got involved in a political conspiracy, was arrested and hanged for treason.