“Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is an annual native to the Mediterranean area which is popular with modern gardeners. “The plant is low growing, about 20 cm tall, with dense clusters of tiny flowers in white, lavender or pink and a sweet scent. “Other Names Sweet alyssum, Sweet Alison, madwort, healbite, sweet Alice, seaside lobularia, gum…
Month: October 2024
Aloes — Including Sandalwood in the Bible and Aloe Vera
There are hundreds of types of aloe, and aloe vera is one of many varieties. The aloe that is mentioned in the Bible was probably sandalwood–a fragrant plant. “Aloes are mentioned both in the OT and NT in connection with incense, scent or perfume (Num 24:6; Ps 45:8; Prov 7:17; Song of Solomon 4:14; and John 19:39). The perfume…
Acanthus – A Plant that Influenced Art and Design
Acanthus has been part of both gardens and design since ancient the time of Ancient Civilizations: Image Credit: The Met Marble pilaster with acanthus scrolls Roman – 1st half of 1st century CE Image Credit: The Met Marble corner acroterion with acanthus scrolls Roman – 1st half of 1st century CEImage Credit: The Met Fragment…
Plant Encyclopedia
ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF PLANTS. ACACIA.—In the deserts of Arabia the finest tree is the Acacia Seyal, which is reputed to be the Shittah tree of the Old Testament. The timber of this tree was termed Shittim, translated by some as “incorruptible wood.” In Exodus xxv. it is recorded that the Ark of the Lord was made of Shittim wood, overlaid within…
Plants Connected with Birds and Animals.
Plants Connected with Birds and Animals. “The association of trees and birds has been the theme of the most ancient writers. The Skalds have sung how an Eagle sat in stately majesty on the topmost branch of Yggdrasill, whilst the keen-eyed Hawk hovered around. The Vedas record how the Pippala of the Hindu Paradise was daily…
Plants Associated with Magic and Wonder
Alchemy Magical Plants. In remote ages, the poisonous or medicinal properties of plants were secrets learnt by the most intelligent and observant members of pastoral and nomadic tribes and clans; and the possessor of these secrets became often both medicine-man and priest, reserving to himself as much as possible the knowledge he had acquired of herbs…
Plants Associated with Witches, Wickedness, & the Devil
In the above video, it is suggested that Eve may have been based on the goddess Asherah Ras Shamra (Ugarit), Syria: Asherah Asherah, detail from an ivory box from Mīna al-Bayḍā near Ras Shamra (Ugarit), Syria, c. 1300 bce; in the Louvre, Paris “Asherah, ancient West Semitic goddess, consort of the supreme god. Her principal epithet was probably…
Plants of the Fairies & Woodland Nymphs
Illustration by Arthur Rackham “Old Mr. Salford was a crab-apple of an old gentleman who wandered all day in the Gardens.” Barrie Illustration by Arthur Rackham “The fairies have their tiffs with the bird.” Barrie Illustration by Arthur Rackham “The fairies have their tiffs with the bird.” Barrie Plants of the Fairies and Naiades. Centuries before…
Plants of the Christian Church
Plants of the Christian Church. “After Rome Pagan became Rome Christian, the priests of the Church of Christ recognised the importance of utilising the connexion which existed between plants and the old pagan worship, and bringing the floral world into active co-operation with the Christian Church by the institution of a floral symbolism which should be…
May Day
“As early as the time of Romulus the Latins instituted a festival in honour of Flora, which was intended as a public expression of joy at the appearance of the welcome blossoms which were everywhere regarded as the harbingers of fruits. Five hundred and thirteen years after the foundation of Rome the Floralia, or annual…