Mary Vaux Walcott (1860–1940) was an American artist and naturalist renowned for her detailed watercolor paintings of North American wildflowers. Born in Philadelphia, she developed an early interest in art and the natural sciences. Walcott spent many summers exploring the Canadian Rockies, where she meticulously documented various plant species. Her dedication culminated in the publication of a five-volume series, North American Wild Flowers, by the Smithsonian Institution in 1925. This work earned her the moniker "the Audubon of Botany."
One of her notable works is the 1933 watercolor California Rose-Bay (Rhododendron californicum). This painting captures the delicate beauty of the Pacific rhododendron, native to the western United States. The artwork measures 10 by 7 inches and is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection.
