C19th Anglo-Indian Company School Botanical Painting "Asian Taro”

Anglo-Indian Company School 
Botanical Illustration "Arium Odorum" (now known as "Alocasia Odora" or commonly as "Asian Taro")
Inscribed in ink bottom left
Watercolour and gouache on laid paper 
19th Century 

Measures:-
34 cm (high) x 28 cm (wide) (Image) 
43 cm (high) x 37 cm (wide) (Framed)  

A beautiful and accomplished 19th Century 'Company School' botanical illustration of an 'Arium Odorum' or 'Asian Taro'. The species is native to Southern India and Southeast Asia were it is gathered in the wild for use as a food. In some parts of India the plant's underground corms are eaten, but they must be very well cooked in order to break down their toxicity.