After nearly five centuries, Leonhart Fuchs' herbal, De Historia Stirpium Commentarii Insignes (Notable commentaries on the history of plants), is still one of the most beautiful books in the history of science. The 512 superb wood-cut illustrations set the standard for fidelity and artistry in the depiction of plants. Until the Renaissance, Western herbals were largely repetitions of the work of the first-century Greek physician Dioscorides. In 1530, Fuchs, also a physician, saw an herbal by Otto Brunfels and immediately realized the value to his profession of accurately illustrating and describing plants. His work not only surpassed Brunfels', but achieved a lasting influence that still inspires botanists today. This Octavo Edition shows every detail of Fuchs' herbal and includes an index of modern plant names linked to the corresponding woodcut. Commentary by Karen Reeds.