Gomphocarpus fruticosus, formerly Asclepias fruticosa (Tennis-ball milkweed) Possibly 1778 - 1781

This botanical illustration of Gomphocarpus fruticosus, or tennis-ball milkweed, was rendered by Robert Jacob Gordon. The Asclepias family, to which this plant belongs, takes its name from the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, suggesting its historical association with healing and health. Note the seed pods, their bulbous forms reminiscent of bursting vessels, a visual echo of ancient fertility symbols found across cultures. This motif recalls the cornucopia, overflowing with nature’s bounty. Consider how the image of bursting seeds or pods may have, over time, been passed down through visual culture, surfacing in unexpected forms—from the decorative arts to emblems of abundance. In each context, the symbol shifts, adapts, yet retains a whisper of its primal origins. It evokes a deep-seated, perhaps subconscious, longing for life, growth, and continuation.