Glass Flowers at the
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Created between the years of 1887 and 1936 in Dresden, Germany made entirely from glass, wire and metal oxide, this is one of the most stunning displays of botanical knowledge in existence. The 847 species collection was created as a teaching aide for the Botanical Museum. The craftsmen were Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka, a father and son team of glass artisans who came from a long line of jewelry makers. This exhibit has been available to the public since 1893.
Not surprisingly, California natives make a good showing in the exhibit - off hand, there were at least 50-60 different species in display, including cacti. Here are a few favorites (shown with an example of a living plant for comparison)...
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| Encelia californica, California Sunflower |
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| Penstemon spectabilis, Showy Penstemon |
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| Parkinsonia aculeata, Jerusalem thorn |
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| Romneya coulteri, Matilija Poppy & Dendromecon rigida, Bush Poppy |
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| exhibit |
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| workbench |
...I'm still blown away.
Photo credits: exhibit photos by author, plant / flower photos by
Las Pilitas Nursery &
San Marcos Growers.
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