The touching charm of wildflowers still inspires poets and lovers, gives a romantic mood. Field and meadow flowers, whose names are diverse, can now be found in the most prestigious flower shops, because they look great in fresh charming bouquets. And you just have to imagine an unlimited field, strewn with blue cornflowers, yellow buttercups or white daisies, as fatigue, problems and resentments recede.
Why are they called that?
Often the name of wildflowers speaks of the prominent features of plants. Coltsfoot is so named because of the leaves - warm, terry on the one hand, smooth and cold on the other. Crane flowers resemble the beak of this slender bird, and bell flowers look like a bell. Oregano has a unique aroma, especially when dried. Very fragrant tea is obtained from it. Elecampane acquired its nickname due to the fact that it helps well with weakness and fatigue: it gives a person "nine strengths". It also happens that the name of wildflowers is associated with myths and legends. They say that the cornflower is named after St. Basil the Great, who had a special sympathy for flowers, and is a symbol of kindness and spiritual purity. The flowers on the stalks of Ivan da Marya got their name thanks to the legend of unhappy love. The girl and the guy, having learned that they are each other's brother and sister, so as not to part, turned into flowers of different shades. The dream-grass flower is called so because at night the petals are tightly closed, and the plant wilts, as if falling asleep. Another name for this flower is lumbago. According to legend, an angel fired an arrow at a demon hiding in the thickets of this plant, and shot through the leaves.
Two names
Each name of wildflowers has a second (botanical) name. In chicory, it sounds like this: Cichorium intybys. It comes from the Greek kio - "I go" and chorion - "alienated field." It is called so because often the plant can be found on the outskirts of the fields. The name of the species intybus can be translated as “in the tube” - the flower has a hollow stem. The thistle plant has the Latin name Carduus nutans, which comes from the word cardo, that is, “hook”. The white and pinkish flowers of the soap dish are called scientifically Saponaria and come from the Greek sapon, that is, “soap”. The pubescent leaves and stems of a mullein called Verbascum came from the Latin word barbascum, which is etymologically associated with barba - “beard”. Other names of the plant: royal scepter, bear’s ear, ataman-grass, fur coat. The botanical name of sage - Salvia - was born from the Latin word salvus and means “healthy”. Sage is widely used as a medicinal plant.
Names of blue wildflowers. Blue linen
Among the flowers that delight us with a cool heavenly shade, the most delicate can be called flax. Its Latin name - Línum - came from the Celtic language, in it the word lin means “thread”: the stalk of flax consists entirely of thin fibers. From ancient times, the plant treated, fed and dressed people. A remarkable quality of linen material is its resistance to decay and an increase in strength at high humidity. An oil was made from the seed of this plant of the flax family , which generously contains the essential linolenic fatty acid involved in the metabolism of humans and animals, which prevents the development of cardiovascular ailments.
Charming doctor
There is no rye field where graceful and sweet cornflowers do not grow. If ears are not observed, it means that there was certainly a grain field, which is now reminiscent of blue flowers. They bloom from May to September. The Latin name - Centauréa - originated from the Greek adjective centaureus, that is, belonging to the centaur. The myth says that with these flowers the centaur Chiron was cured of the poison of the hydra that bit him. Cornflower belongs to the family Asteraceae and is used in medicine as a decongestant. In folk therapy, infusion of flowers in snowy water treats the eyes. In cosmetics, cornflower extract is used to produce cleansing, narrowing pores of the skin nutrients.
How the forget-me-not got the name
Unforgettable forget-me-nots love moisture, they can be found along streams, in meadows, along river banks. The scientific name of this flower from the borage family - Myosótis - comes from the name “mouse ear” because, when opened, the petals very much resemble the rodent's ear. And according to legend, the forget-me-not got a name when the goddess Flora came down to the ground and gave flowers names. It seemed to her that she respected everyone, but then a faint voice came from behind her: “Do not forget me, Flora!” The goddess took a closer look and saw a tiny blue flower, called it forget-me-not and gave him wonderful power to restore memory to people who have forgotten their homeland and loved ones.
Names of yellow wildflowers. Primrose
The primrose, or primrose, was popularly called the "golden keys." There is a legend. They hinted to the apostle Peter, who was watching the gates to Eden, that someone without permission wanted to get into heaven with fake keys. In fear, the apostle dropped a bunch of golden keys, it fell to the ground, and flowers similar to it grew on this place. Adorable yellowish inflorescences appear in early spring, as if paving the way for light and heat. No wonder the botanical name - Prímula - arose from the Latin word prímus, that is, "first." Another name for wildflowers of primrose is the first-born. Corollas with five petals are collected in inflorescences on smooth long stems. They are dried and brewing invigorating tea. A whole vitamin cocktail is in the leaves of primrose. Healers prepare a cure for tuberculosis from its roots. And in the old days they made a love potion from a flower . The primrose is able to pick up the signals of the ultrasonic field that occurs during an earthquake. It accelerates the movement of juices in the plant and makes it bloom faster. So primrose is able to warn people of danger.
Priceless clover
In the fields and meadows grows a magnificent honey plant and healer - clover. His Latin name - Melilótus - originates from the word "honey". And in Russia, these yellow wildflowers, whose names are ground grass, clover, are etymologically associated with the Slavic word “bottom”. Infusions and decoctions from the plant helped against diseases, and from fresh leaves and flowers they prepared a healing patch for wounds.
Dangerous and handsome.
What a pleasant picture a field is dotted with golden droplets of buttercups! So sweet and touching this flower with silky petals. Why does he have such a formidable name? The answer is simple - buttercup is a very poisonous juice. It was a potion prepared from him that plunged Juliet into a deep, death-like dream. Scientists called the flower Ranúnculus, from the Latin word "frog", because buttercups love moist places. The plant blooms several times during the summer, and if the season is rainy, the flowers will be large and lush, and the stems will grow waist-high.
Finally
The names and pictures of wildflowers given in this article are only a small part of the richest flora of our wonderful planet. The gentle inhabitants of meadows and fields are not afraid of either heat or cold, generously give their healing powers to everyone who is sick. The famous thinker of the Enlightenment, Jean Jacques Rousseau, asked his friends to take him to the meadow if he became ill so that there would be no hope of recovery. Then, as the scientist assured, he would feel good again.