AMBOINESE HERBAL Book VI. Chapter VI.

Plate 2.

A detailed botanical engraving depicts a bamboo plant. Thick, bulbous rhizomes underground root-like stems with overlapping scales and root scars emerge from the soil. Three primary segmented culms the main hollow stems of a grass or bamboo rise from this base. They show distinct nodes the joints where branches and leaves grow and internodes. The central culm is the tallest and branches heavily from its joints. These branches are also segmented and carry clusters of long, narrow, lanceolate spear-shaped leaves. The leaves show parallel venation veins running side by side and fine hatching to provide texture. A simple rectangular border frames the entire illustration.