climbing plant with pink flowers.

These painstakingly preserved plants are still radiant centuries later

In the herbarium at London’s Natural History Museum, vibrant specimens retain some of the flower of their youth.

A climbing lily collected in England in 1954 shows the lasting beauty of well-preserved plants.
This story appears in the February 2021 issue of National Geographic magazine.
This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

Unlock this Nat Geo Premium content–and much more

Want to keep exploring? Unlock this exclusive story and more with Nat Geo Premium.
Already a subscriber?
Sign In

More from this series

See the extraordinary splendor of ordinary chemicals
See these chickens go from coop to catwalk
This obscure Italian sport inspired modern American football

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet