How do you create a plant without ever touching soil? With a 3D printer and a painter with a background in plant biology.

The newest Academy exhibition Botany of Nations uses plant models to bring to life some of the pressed specimens from the Lewis and Clarke Herbarium—a collection of more than 200 plants collected during their Corps of Discovery journey.

Botany of Nations is a groundbreaking exhibit that guides visitors on a journey along the Lewis and Clarke trail, introducing them to the perspectives of the Native Nations the explorers met along the way, co-curated by and collaborating with Indigenous experts. The exhibition transports its audience to spots along the trail using historic artifacts, using the stories of Indigenous collaborators, historic artifacts, interactive portals and even smell stations.

Along the way, guests will be introduced to seven plants from the Lewis and Clarke herbarium: timpsila or “prairie turnip” (Pediomelum esculentum); camas root (Camassia quamash); western redcedar (Thuja plicata); bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva); tobacco (Nicotiana quadrivalis); white sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa and Prunus virginiana).

Each of these plants is represented by a model 3D printed by sculptor Tim Rusterholz and painted by artist Lindsay Lindhult.