Illustrated Investigation of the Names and Natures of Plants

Page 6

Spring Osmanthus

This page features a botanical woodcut illustration of the plant Spring Osmanthus original: Chungui (春桂); likely a variety of Osmanthus fragrans, a subject categorized under the "Fragrant Plants" original: Qunfang (羣芳) section of the Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao.

The illustration depicts a detailed flowering branch. The leaves are lanceolate (spear-shaped) with slightly serrated edges, and the flowers appear in dense axillary clusters, which is characteristic of the Osmanthus genus. While most Sweet Osmanthus are known for their autumn bloom, the "Spring" designation highlights varieties that flower earlier in the year or multiple times.

The Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao (1848), authored by the Qing Dynasty scholar-official Wu Qijun, is celebrated for its high-quality illustrations based on actual observation rather than just copying older herbals. This specific entry is found in the section for "Fragrant Plants," which reflects the cultural importance of scent in traditional Chinese gardening and medicine.