Widdringtonia nodiflora (L.) E. Powrie (Mountain cypress, or Cape cedar) Possibly 1777 - 1786

This botanical illustration, likely created between 1777 and 1786 by Robert Jacob Gordon, depicts a *Widdringtonia nodiflora* (Mountain cypress, or Cape cedar) specimen. Gordon, a Dutch-born artist, is known for his detailed and accurate depictions of South African flora and fauna. The artwork showcases the tree's delicate foliage, rendered in a combination of green and brown hues, and its distinctive cones, meticulously painted in shades of blue. Gordon's work exemplifies the 18th-century scientific illustration style, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and botanical accuracy.