Study of Butterbur (Petasites vulgaris, Desf.) the largest leaf of any English plant

Hearne employs a restrained palette of greys and greens, using delicate washes to suggest the misty atmosphere of a rocky hillside. The watercolour technique allows for subtle gradations, while the crisp line of the inscription and signature provide a clear documentary quality.

The leaf was observed at Peak Hole, a locality near Castleton in Derbyshire, situated on the estate of John Bagshaw, Esq. The work bears the date 1850, placing it within Hearne’s later period of botanical illustration.

Set against a crumbling wall atop a slope, a winding path, and a modest building, the scene reflects the typical Derbyshire countryside of the era. The soft, cloud‑dotted sky and gentle mist contribute to a tranquil, almost secluded setting for the plant study.

The piece exemplifies Hearne’s contribution to Victorian botanical art, merging scientific observation with aesthetic restraint. It remains a reference point for the visual documentation of *Petasites vulgaris* and its notable leaf size within England’s flora.