The Voynich Botanical Plants

Folio 2r, Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), is native of Greece and Asia Minor. This weed has a long taproot, and pale-green alternate leaves that are deeply divided into lobes, measuring 1 to 3 inches in length. The single, upright stem produces several spreading branches that end with pink or white thistle-like flowers. During the Middle Ages knapweed had a reputation for curing wounds and was an ingredient in a fourteenth century ointment called ‘salve.’ This folio could also be represented by spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii), also native to Eurasia.