Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. Rubra)

The aim of the Historia Naturalis was to give a reliable and as complete as possible picture of each object of study. To this end, De Boodt not only recorded on paper the head and leaves of this red cabbage in detail, but also accurately depicted the stem and roots. In the 16th century cabbage was praised for its healing powers. As a physician, De Boodt was most likely aware of this.