Flora of the Codex Cruz-Badianus

In 1929, a history professor discovered the Codex Cruz-Badianus, an illustrated Latin manuscript from 1552 detailing the medicinal uses of 185 plants. This remarkable find, housed in the Vatican Library, sheds light on the botanical and medicinal knowledge of the Nahuas, or Aztecs, significantly enhancing our understanding of their culture and the history of New Spain during the 16th century. The manuscript's illustrations and text reveal invaluable insights into indigenous practices and the integration of their knowledge into broader historical contexts.