Folio from the Manuscript of Khawass al-Ashjar (The Characteristics of Trees)

Author: Dioscorides, Greek, ca. 40 - ca. 90

13th century

Opaque watercolour and ink on paper

Aga Khan Museum

A stylized tree with red buds and green leaves is depicted against a tan background. The tree has a thick trunk and exposed roots at the bottom. Arabic script runs along the top edge of the paper. A stylized tree with red buds and green leaves is depicted against a tan background. The tree has a thick trunk and exposed roots at the bottom. Arabic script runs along the top edge of the paper. Further Reading This plant, with its berry-like red flowers, has been identified as nardin (spikenard)—a plant historically used for extracting aromatic oil from its roots. Two different green plants are painted on the backside of the folio. The text on the left side reads as follows: " Here is a species of darwanj (doronicum)" —a daisy-like flowering plant. Accession number: AKM2