Benincasa hispida, wax gourd
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Benincasa hispida, wax gourd
Finished watercolour by Sydney Parkinson made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771. Illustration annotated Cucurbita pruriens
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Media ID 8615309
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10706550
18th Century Captain Cook Captain James Cook Cook Cucurbitaceae Cucurbitales Endeavour Eudicot Eurosid Fabidae First Gourd Rosid Sydney Parkinson Voyage Angiospermae Cucurbita Dicot Dicotyledon Magnoliophyta
EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite watercolor painting, created by Sydney Parkinson during Captain James Cook's first voyage across the Pacific Ocean (1768-1771), showcases the intricacies of Benincasa hispida, commonly known as the wax gourd or the Chinese bottle gourd. The illustration, annotated as "Cucurbita pruriens," is a testament to the detailed observations made during the historic expedition. The painting captures the various stages of the wax gourd plant, from its delicate flowers to its mature fruit. The flowering plant is classified as an eudicot, angiosperm, and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, specifically the Cucurbitales order. The wax gourd is a vine that belongs to the Rosid clade of the Rosids subclass, and it is a valuable source of food and water for many cultures. The painting's accuracy and attention to detail are evident in the depiction of the gourd's unique features, such as its waxy surface and the intricate pattern of its ribs. The annotation "Cucurbita pruriens" is likely an error, as the wax gourd is not a member of the Cucurbita genus. Nonetheless, this error does not detract from the overall quality and historical significance of the illustration. Sydney Parkinson was an accomplished artist and naturalist who accompanied Captain James Cook on his first voyage as an artist and draughtsman. Parkinson's illustrations were an essential contribution to the scientific record of the expedition, providing a detailed and accurate record of the flora and fauna of the Pacific Islands and the surrounding waters. This watercolor painting of the wax gourd is a prime example of Parkinson's skill and the importance of the expedition in expanding European knowledge of the natural world.
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