The great botanist William Curtis dedicated his entire life to perfecting
A masterpiece of botanical research, 『The Flora of London』!
The pioneer of botanical detailing, reborn in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew!

Botanist William Curtis devoted his life to producing useful and beautiful botanical treatises.
His Flora Londinensis, published continuously from 1775 to 1798, covers over 430 species of plants found within a ten-mile radius of London, each described in detail with beautiful hand-painted copperplate illustrations by the best botanical artists of the time.
It can be said to be the original and masterpiece of detailed botanical illustration books.

This book, "The City of Plants," is a beautiful revival of Curtis's groundbreaking book, created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The book also reproduces some particularly beautiful illustrations from the Flora of London, includes content that provides a glimpse into Curtis's insights, and adds the latest information uncovered through botanical research.
The plants featured in the book can be found on roadsides and paths not only in London but also in many temperate cities around the world.
If you pass by them without knowing, they are just weeds, but if you get to know them, they are all interesting, beautiful, and useful.
Let's take a look at the true nature of urban plants that have lived alongside us for a long time in "City of Plants."

As the grass grows beautifully lush and the cuckoo's first call can be heard, the lavender-veined primroses bloom elegantly.
Around this time, spring is in full bloom.
The time when the flower buds appear almost coincides with the time when cuckoos fly in from Africa in spring.
That's why it got the nickname "cuckoo flower."
An attractive wildflower of the meadows and a favorite on our dinner tables, dandelion has edible shoots, leaves, and flowers.
It has a spicy mustard flavor, which is stronger in mature plants.
Young leaves are eaten in salads.
Mild-tasting flowers beautifully decorate a simple spring table.
---From "p.18, 〈Flower Nettle〉"

This blatantly obscene mushroom, shaped like a penis, can grow anywhere, provided there is rotting wood.
The specific name, impudicus, is Latin for obscene.
Their appearance is so shocking that devout Victorians probably swept them from their forest trails before the sight of them could corrupt the sensibilities of the savage.
People these days are more likely to be offended by the sight of a mushroom that emits a foul odor similar to that of rotten meat and sewage to attract flies.
In short, it is a mushroom that will ruin your appetite.
But before the stakes emerge, they present an uncommon delicacy when they are in an egg-like, pupa-like state.
---From "p.32, 〈Mushrooms〉"

You might think dandelions are common, but their larger cousins, the longer-limbed dandelions, are also found everywhere.
The dung beetle can fit into even the narrowest of spaces, even under street signs at the busiest intersections in the heart of a city.
One of the typical weeds, this plant protects itself with thorny leaves.
The young leaves are surprisingly appetizing.
It has a sweet lettuce flavor and contains twice as much vitamin C as spinach.
If you peel the stems, they can be used as a substitute for asparagus.
However, you must carefully observe where this plant grows.
Dog poop grows well under lampposts, which are good places for dogs to urinate.

---From "p.50, 〈Banggajiddong〉"

A plant that is a weed to one person may be a wildflower to another.
But almost everyone agrees that the great crocus is a weed.
Notoriously difficult to root in gardens, this plant can be propagated with just a small piece of its root, and seeds can wait 30 years without sprouting.
It quickly climbs over other plants, taking up light and eventually suffocating them.
But while the large flowers may be a source of worry for gardeners, the pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers provide a rich food source for insects.
You can make a nice cord out of the sturdy stems of a large rose, which is a small reward for the time spent untangling the stems from the roses.
---From "p.68, "Big Flower"

There is something truly special about coming across the honeybee orchid, one of the most beautiful native orchids of Britain, by chance on a grassy roadside or railway line.
Could it be said that I met the queen of deception?
The velvety flowers of the honeybee orchid mimic a particular female bee with remarkable perfection.
They even mimic the smell of female bees to lure unlucky male bees.
Hopeful drones fly in to bring pollen, but they leave empty-handed, unable to find a mate or get any honey.
The last one to laugh is this orchid.
However, the bees imitated by the honeybee orchid are no longer found in Britain.
Therefore, no drone bees come to transfer pollen.
So why not help this clever and beautiful orchid grow in your garden?
---From "p.90, "Honeybee Orchid"

If you describe yourself as a butterfinger (someone who drops things) rather than a greenfinger (someone who is good at growing plants), I recommend Sempervivum tectorum.
The common name Sempervivum means everlasting, and this plant is difficult to kill.
Originally grown in harsh mountain environments, Sempervivum tectorum will find a sunny spot in a crack in an old wall in a very dry city garden to be its paradise.
Without the Butterfinger plant butler lifting a finger, this plant produces dainty pink flowers and grows rosettes of succulent new leaves in any space provided by humans.
According to ancient legend, Sempervivum tectorum, when grown on a roof, was believed to protect the house from fire, lightning, and disease.
It's a win-win situation for both parties.

---From "p.94, Sempervivum Tectorum"

Helleborus viridis literally prepares a warm alcoholic beverage inside its perfectly heated flowers to attract pollinators in the winter cold.
As the yeast ferments in the honey, a small amount of alcohol is produced, and the temperature of the flower rises by about 6℃.
A warm alcoholic beverage for the bees, prepared inside a green helleborus bar!
---From "p.124, Helleborus Viridis"

The marble-like white veins of the white thistle's leaves are reminiscent of a macchiato, an espresso topped with milk foam for a unique pattern.
It might sound unpalatable to baristas, but after a wild night out, I recommend a hot cup of milk thistle tea over a strong coffee.
It is a herbal prescription that improves liver function in people who frequently drink excessively.
Rich in antioxidants, this savory tea helps prevent liver diseases ranging from cirrhosis to jaundice, and promotes circulation in the digestive system, helping the body recover quickly.
Not only that, it's also very good for your intestines.
However, when harvesting, you must be careful not to get your hands pricked by the thorns.
---From "p.150, "White Thistle"

From the roots to the tips of the plant, plantain is rich in vitamins and compounds that can treat various diseases. It is used as an antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, and antidiarrheal agent, and it has been found to have the effect of revitalizing the body and even fighting cancer.
Would there still be people who call this weed?

---From "p.164, "Jilkyungi"