The Language of Flowers C

Subject: The Language of Flowers C Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:31 am

Chrysanthemum, Red ..............I love

Chrysanthemum, White ...........Truth

Chrysanthemum, Yellow ..........Slighted love

(The Chrysanthemum must feel a poor immigrant in the West where it is welcomed only in the autumn because of the scareity of other flowers. It has been grown in the Far east for over two thousand years, and so admired in Japan that the Emperor sits on the Chrysanthemum Throne. The name comes from the Greek words 'chrysos' meaning gold, and 'anthemon, a flower, for the species grown was a yellow one. Today their colors include all shades of yellow, pink and rusty red, Bronze, rose-madder.

The family includes the simple Daisy, the small Dwaft Chrysanthemum, and the doubled flowered Cottage Bronze which flowers late into the autumn. Then there are the varieties grown for cutting and arranging indoors. These have heavy round heads and curly petals growing tightly into a ball. It always seems a miracle of nature that such a thin stem can support such a heavy head.)

Cinquefoil ................................Maternal affection

Circaea .....................................Spell

Cistus, or Rock Rose ................Popular favour

Cistus, Gum ..............................I shall die tomorrow

Citron .......................................Ill-naturered beauty

Clematis ...................................Mental beauty

Clematis, Evergree ...................Poverty

(Clematis was named Klema by the ancient Greeks after a vine, for the Clematis entwines itself around other plants until its head is in the sunlight. Some people call it Love-bind because it clings as if in a loving embrace and in the country the Wild Clematis which scrambles over hedgerows is known as Hedgevine or Traveller's Joy. Poets have often referred to this delicate trailing plant as Virgin's Bower for it trails prettily over arbours and shady places in the garden, thus making a pleasant refuge for young ladies. Some people think the name was in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen, for it was introduced into England during her reign. Others believed that the Clematis sheltered the Virgin Mary during the flight from Egypt, with Joseph and the Christ-Child

When the Clematis has flowered it looks like a mans beard, with whitish, feathery tufts, and has been called Old-Mans beard. Or Grandfathers Whiskers. The plant is also called Maiden hair, because it resembles the finely spun hair of a young girl. Perhaps the significance of Mental Beauty refers to the fact that the Clematis has no healing properties and is grown solely for its appearance.)

Clotbut .....................................Rudeness. Pertinacity

Cloves ......................................Dignity

Clover, Four-leaved .................Be mine

Clover, Red ..............................Industry

Clover, White ..........................Think of me

Cobaea ....................................Gossip

Cockscomb Amaranth .............Foppery. Affectation. Singularity

Colchicum, or Meadow Saffron....My best days are past.

Coltsfoot ..................................Justice shall be done

Columbine ...............................Folly

Columbine, Purple ...................Resolved to win

Columbine, Red ......................Anxious and trembling

(Poor mad Ophelia rightly carried columbines in her arms, for Shakespeare was well versed in the Language of flowers and columbines were perfect for the bouquet of a deserted lover. The red flower signifies Anxiety and the purple, Resolution.

In the country it is known as Granny's Bonnet and the genus name, 'Aquilegia', is from the Latin word for eagle, the base of the flower resembling an eagles claws. It reminded others of a flight of doves for it was named Columbine from the Latin 'columba' meaning dove. It is also due to this association that the flower has become a symbol of the Holy Spirit and appears often in religious paintings by the great masters)

Convolvulus ............................Bonds

Convolvulus, Blue (Minor) .....Repose. night

Convolvulus, Major .............Extinguished hopes

Convolvulus, Pink ...............Worth sustained by judicious and tender affection

Corchorus .............................Impatient of absence

Coreopais .............................Always cheerful

Coreopsis Arkansa ...............Love at first sight

Corlander ..............................Hidden Worth

Corn ......................................Riches

Corn, Broken ........................Quarrel

Corn Straw ............................Agreement

Corn Flower (Bottle) ............Delicacy

(In olden days, if a girl wore a cornflower it meant she was available for marriage. If a young man put a cornflower in his pocket, he was in love. If the flower lived it was a sign that he should marry, if it died, he must find another sweetheart. It was also believed that if a girl hid the flower under her apron, she would have the bachelor of her choice. Hence the name Bachelor's Buttons

This vivid blue flower which grows wild in cornfields, is also known as Bluebottle, Ragged Sailor or Hurt-sickle, because its tough stems blunt the reaper's tools. Its genus name of Centaurea comes from the ancient Greeks, Chiron the Centaur was wounded by Hercules Poisonous arrows but covered his wounds with cornflowers and was healed. The species name, cyanus is also as classical origin. Once upon a time a young boy worshipped Flora, the goddess of flowers. He was particulary fond of the blue flowers which he gathered in the cornfields near his house. One day he was found dead there and Flora turned him into a cornflower in honor of his love for the flower and his sensitivity towards her. So the significance of the Cornflower became Delicacy.)

Corn Cockle .........................Gentility

Cornel Tree........................... Duration

Coronella ........................Success Crown your wishes

Cowslip ..........................Pensiveness. Winning Grace

Cowslip, American .........Divine Beauty. You are my divinity

Cranberry .......................Cure for heartache

Creeping Ceresus ...........Horror

Cress Stability................. Power

Crocus .............................Abuse not

Crocus, Spring ................Youthful gladness

Crocus, Saffron ...............Mirth

Crown Imperial ......................Majesty.Power

It is easy to see why the Crown Imperial is so named for it is the most majestic of flowers. As its meaning suggest, it grows to a great height and looks down on all the surrounding flowers, as a king may look down on his subjects.

While the Crown Imperial came originally from Constantinople, it was first known as the Persian Lily for it was brougth to Europe from Persian in the Sixteenth Century. It has always been admired for its imperious beauty but unlike most of the lily family, it has a most unattractive scent.)

Crowsbill ...............................Envy

Crowfoot ...............................Ingratitude

Crowfoot (Aconite-leaved).... Lustre

Cuckoo Plant .........................Ardour

Cudweed, American............. Unseasing remembrance

Currant .................................Thy frown will kill me

Cuscuta................................. Meanness

Cyclamen ..............................Difference

Cypress .................................Death. Mourning