John Parkinson was a London apothecary to King James I. His book is an impressive collection of earlier botanical writings to which were added many of his own observations. He described nearly 3,800 plants on 1,755 pages. Garrison and Morton quote the Theatrum botanicum as “the largest herbal in the English language.” Several of L’Obel’s unpublished writings were also included in the work.

PARKINSON, JOHN (1567-1650). THEATRUM BOTANICUM, OR, THE THEATRE OF PLANTS.
London: Thomas Cotes, 1640.
(Missouri Botanical Garden)