This exquisite piece of botanical art has a deeper story with the roots amassing into a network of anatomically accurate coronary arteries. The plants erupting from this meshwork all have origins for modern prescription cardiac medications (explained from left to right): Papaver somniferum - Poppies are the source of morphine, codeine and papaverine. A synthetic analogue of papaverine is verapamil, an important treatment for angina, high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. Visnaga daucoides - The toothpick plant has been used medicinally for centuries for a variety of disorders. It is the source of amiodarone, an important anti-arrhythmic drug. Rauvolfia Serpentina - An extract from the roots is the source of a blood pressure medication called reserpine. Digitalis purpurea - Foxgloves are known for being the source of digoxin, which was widely used to treat atrial fibrillation. Salix alba - The bark of willow contains salicylic acid, which is acetylated to form aspirin, used to prevent recurrent heart disease. Atropa belladonna - This plant produces a drug called atropine, used to speed up a slow pulse. Hand signed, giclée print on 310 gsm Museum Heritage acid-free paper, meeting the highest museum quality archival standards. Size is A2 (420 x 594mm or 16.5 x 23.4 inches). This is a limited edition with only 200 available. Shipping is usually within 1 week and sent next day special delivery, tracked and signed for. The art is carefully packed in a solid cardboard tube and wrapped in glassine acid-free paper. If you would like this item framed in a oak veneer, glass-fronted frame with a custom made mount, then please select this option at checkout for an additional £85. Please allow additional time for dispatch as the mounts are made to order and frames ordered as required.

Dimensions | Length x Width x Depth in mm

Size is A2 (420 x 594mm or 16.5 x 23.4 inches).

Any charities or wider societal issues you like to highlight:

To raise awareness that many modern prescription medications we use on a daily basis in western medicine are originally derived from plants.