During the Age of Exploration, a primary function of botanical illustration was to

• A. Create decorative patterns for wallpaper
• B. Document plants from different countries
• C. Record soil types in gardens
• D. Depict mythical plants

Answer: (B)

During the Age of Exploration, botanical illustration served as a precise record of what explorers and naturalists encountered in new lands. Artists created accurate drawings that captured the key features of plants—the shapes of leaves, arrangements of flowers, and the form of fruits—so scholars across Europe could identify, compare, and classify species. These illustrations were essential for building herbals and floras before photography existed, helping to share knowledge about plants from different countries and their potential uses. The other options don’t fit this purpose: decorative patterns aren’t the scientific aim, detailing soil types belongs to soil science rather than plant illustration, and depicting mythical plants isn’t the goal of documenting real biodiversity.