Picture of various vegetables: Eggplant, okra, pumpkin, and radishes all on a white background with antique writing.

A botanical illustration is an accurate pictorial depiction of plants and plant traits for a scientific purpose that illustrates a plant’s form, color, and details. Prior to the invention of photography, a botanical illustration was the only way of visually recording the world’s many species of plant life. While today’s science books are full of highly detailed photographs, it was artists and illustrators who were depended upon to share the beauty of botany from around the world. These artists and illustrators were required to not only poses great artistic skills and an eye for detail but also have technical horticultural knowledge.