Tradescantia virginiana eller Tradescantia ohiensis (blomsterjøde eller ohio-blomsterjøde) 1649 - 1659

Hans Simon Holtzbecker created this botanical illustration of Tradescantia virginiana, or Tradescantia ohiensis, during the 17th century, a period marked by extensive exploration and the classification of the natural world. Holtzbecker’s delicate rendering of the plant invites us to consider the cultural and colonial contexts that informed its naming and categorization. The common name "flower-Jew," hints at a history of categorization rooted in othering and difference. The careful detail given to the flower and its roots encourages reflection upon whose knowledge is valued, and how language shapes our understanding of nature and each other. Holtzbecker's illustration serves as a reminder of the power dynamics embedded in scientific naming practices.