London, L. Reeve, 1889. 8vo-sized (25.6 x 16.2 cm). Hand-coloured lithographed plate. Printed on one side.

A finely illustrated plate from William Curtis's famous "Botanical Magazine". The plate, numbered 7046, shows Opuntia polyacantha, a North American cactus with large, yellow or red flowers. It is known as the Plains Pricklypear. "Native Americans used it as a medicinal plant, with different parts treating various symptoms" (Wikipedia). The illustration, for Curtis' Botanical Magazine volume 115 was drawn by Matilda Smith, engraved by E. Bates and printed by Vincent Brooks Day and Son. Margins very slightly toned, top edge a bit soiled and frayed, tiny tear in right edge, otherwise very good, unmarked.