Descurainia sophia (Flixweed)– Leonhart Fuchs New Kreüterbuch, 1543

File-size: 5400 x 8770 Pixel. 

This elegant digital reproduction of Descurainia sophia, also known as flixweed or “Sophia’s herb,” comes from Leonhart Fuchs’ monumental New Kreüterbuch (1543)—a cornerstone of Renaissance botany. The illustration presents the plant in exquisite detail, from its finely divided, fern-like leaves to its upright flowering stalks and tapering root system.

Historically, flixweed was used as a medicinal herb, especially in folk remedies for digestion and respiratory issues. This plate combines scientific observation with artistic clarity, typical of Fuchs’ pioneering approach to botanical documentation. The handwritten Latin names and German identifier Welsamen (possibly a variant of “wild seed”) add authenticity and scholarly charm to the piece.

Ideal for herbalists, historians, and vintage botanical art collectors, this high-resolution digital download is perfect for printing and framing as part of a gallery wall or study décor. A rare piece of natural history from the 16th century.