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Visitation. Agapanthus, African Lily, Hoverfly and Bumblebee, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In these pages I've often - at least eight times - referred to Jacob Breyne (1637-1697). He was an entrepreneurial merchant, a naturalist and also an artist. He made impressive drawings especially of flowers. In 1674 he visited the gardens of Hiëronymus van Beverningh (1614-169), a well-known Dutch politician, ambassador and much more. Hiëronymus from 1675 until his death had a fine collection of plants at his manor Lockhorst or Oud-Teylingen near Warmond. Among his many exotic plants was this African Lily, which was scientifically described and drawn by Breyne under the name Hyacinthus africanus tuberosus. Later it was given the name Agapanthus - Love Flower - by French botanist Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle (1746-1800).

In the Hortus it's kept in the South African Plant house now open again to human beings after the Covid-19 closing; but insects have had the liberty to enter and leave just as they do now. Hoverfly is collectiing pollen, Bumblebee nectar.

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Uploaded on July 7, 2021
Taken on July 7, 2021