Spikenard
by John Forbes Royle (1798-1858)
Original hand-coloured lithograph
Pub. London
Nardostachys jatamansi, commonly known as “Spikenard” or “Jatamansi,” is a flowering plant in the Valerianaceae family. It is native to the Himalayan region, particularly found in parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. This perennial herbaceous plant is characterized by its long, slender rhizomes and clusters of small, pink flowers. Spikenard has a long history of traditional medicinal use in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine, where it is valued for its calming and sedative properties. It is also used in perfumery and aromatherapy for its unique and earthy fragrance.
John Forbes Royle was a prominent British botanist, physician, and pharmacologist during the 19th century. Royle received his medical education at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London and later served as a surgeon in the British East India Company’s army. During his time in India, Royle became deeply interested in the country’s flora and medicinal plants. He collected a vast number of plant specimens and meticulously documented their medicinal properties. One of Royle’s most notable works was the ‘‘Illustrations of the botany and other branches of the natural history of the Himalayan Mountains and of the flora of Cashmere’. This comprehensive work provided detailed descriptions and illustrations of numerous plant species found in the Himalayan region. It remains an important reference for botanical research in the area.
Image Size (cms): 36.5(H) x 26(W)
Image Size (inches): 14.5(H) x 10(W)
Mount Size (cms): 51(H) x 41(W)
Mount Size (inches): 20(H) x 16(W)
