South African Star-Grass

By Pierre-Joseph Redouté

A rare stipple engraving with original hand-coloring by the incomparable artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté from his great botanical study. This engraving wonderfully represents Hypoxis Stellata, more commonly known as the South African Star-Grass or Star-Flower, a magnificent geophytic plant originating in the south-western Cape region.

The unique skill of the artist in depicting nature through the medium of stipple engraving is clearly demonstrated here in the wonderful representation of the star-like symmetry of the yellow tepals and the detailed structure of the plant’s linear leaves and roots.