The Voynich Botanical Plants

Folio 22r, Common Vervain or Holy Herb (Verbena officinalis), unlike most verbenas, is a perennial herb, native to Europe. Its leaves are opposite, lobed, and toothed; its small mauve flowers are arranged in delicate spikes. The name Verbena was the classical Roman name for “altar-plants.” The holy attributes of this herb may be due to the legend that it was found on the Mount of Calvary, where it was used to staunch the wounds of the crucified Saviour.