Magenta lilly pilly, origin Australia, watercolor, artist Deirdre Bean. Image courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Smithsonian uses art to document endangered plants

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Magenta lilly pilly, origin Australia, watercolor, artist Deirdre Bean. Image courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Magenta lilly pilly, origin Australia, watercolor, artist Deirdre Bean. Image courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is normally known for its scientific collections, but now it is turning to artwork to educate visitors about endangered, threatened and extinct plants.

On Saturday, the museum opened the exhibit “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World.” It features 44 pieces from artists in Australia, Brazil, South Africa, the United States and elsewhere.

Some illustrations were created using specimens from the museum’s collection.

Scientists say the exhibit shows the interdependence of species as some animals decline because of the loss of certain plants.

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AP-ES-08-14-10 1020EDT

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Golden barrel cactus, origin Mexico, oil on paper, artist Ingrid Finnan. Image courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Golden barrel cactus, origin Mexico, oil on paper, artist Ingrid Finnan. Image courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.


Marsh genian, origin northern Europe, watercolor, artist Gillian Barlow. Image courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

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