Cythna Letty

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Records

Cythna Letty's legacy is defined by her pioneering role as the first resident botanical artist at what is now SANBI, a position she held for 40 years. Her 730 plates for Flowering Plants of Africa remain a cornerstone of botanical literature. The Cythna Letty Medal, established by the Botanical Society of South Africa, continues to honour excellence in botanical art, ensuring her influence endures. Her work also graces South Africa's coinage, a rare public tribute to an artist.

AwardsCythna Letty received two major honours for her botanical art. In 1970, the Royal Horticultural Society awarded her a silver medal for an exhibition of her flower paintings. In 1973, the University of Witwatersrand conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. These accolades recognized both her artistic skill and her scientific contributions.

Honours & Distinctions

Cythna Letty Medal

Botanical Society of South Africa

Awarded to recognize excellence in botanical art.

Cythna Letty Nature Reserve

South African government

Nature reserve near Barberton named in her honour; her ashes were scattered there.

Crassula lettyae

Botanical nomenclature

Plant species named after her.

Aloe lettyae

Botanical nomenclature

Plant species named after her.

Records & Feats

First resident botanical artist at SANBI

Historic First·1927

Cythna Letty was the first resident botanical artist at what is now the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

730 plates for Flowering Plants of Africa

Career Milestone

She contributed 730 plates to the journal Flowering Plants of Africa, a significant body of work.