Antique Wood Sorrel Botanical Print | Oxalis acetosella | F. Edward Hulme

This antique botanical print depicts Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), a delicate woodland plant of the wood sorrel family, and is taken from Familiar Wild Flowers, the widely admired natural history publication by Reverend F. Edward Hulme. Dating to the late Victorian or early Edwardian period, this period print is approximately 120–135 years old and represents a fine example of Victorian botanical illustration and colour printing.

Wood Sorrel is recognised by its distinctive three-part, clover-like leaves and delicate white flowers marked with fine violet or purple veins. It commonly grows in shaded woodland, particularly on damp forest floors, where its low-growing habit allows it to form natural carpets among moss and leaf litter. The plant's fresh, acidic taste is reflected in the origin of its common name.

The illustration demonstrates the Victorian interest in documenting even the less conspicuous plants of the countryside. Hulme's botanical work combines close attention to botanical structure with the decorative qualities of finely rendered colour illustration, allowing readers to study individual species while appreciating their natural beauty.

Familiar Wild Flowers belongs to an important period in the history of botanical publishing, when improvements in colour printing helped bring detailed illustrations of Britain's flora to a broad readership. Such publications occupied a fascinating space between scientific illustration, natural history, education and decorative art, transforming familiar plants into subjects worthy of close observation.

Sourced from Delhi, this antique botanical print is presented unframed but professionally mounted, making it ready for display or for framing according to the collector's preference. Its age, delicate composition and association with an important Victorian botanical publication make it particularly suited to collections of antique botanical prints, Victorian art, natural history and vintage decorative works.

More than a century after its publication, this Wood Sorrel illustration remains a beautiful record of Britain's woodland flora and of the Victorian tradition of documenting the natural world through detailed botanical art.

Details

Subject: Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
Illustrator / Author: Reverend F. Edward Hulme
Publication: Familiar Wild Flowers
Period: Late Victorian / Early Edwardian
Age: Approximately 120–135 years
Medium: Antique botanical print
Origin: Sourced from Delhi
Tradition: Victorian botanical illustration and natural history publishing
Mount: Professionally mounted; unframed
Dimensions including mount: H 10 × L 7 in
Condition: Antique condition with age-related characteristics. Please refer to the photographs, which form an integral part of the description.
Authenticity: Comes with an authenticity certificate from The Blue Trunk.