Castor oil plant. 17th century artwork of a castor oil plant (Ricinus sp.), which is used in herbal medicine as a purgative (to discharge pus). Also seen is a Grass of Parnasus (at left, Parnassia sp., labelled with its original name Gramen pernassi), which is used as an astringent and tonic. At right is a bell flower (Campanula sp.). This artwork is taken from Basilius Beslers Hortus Eystettensis (1613), which illustrated over 1000 flowers and attempted an early preLinnaeus taxonomy, making it the largest and most comprehensive work of its time.