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Brooklyn Queens Land Trust Stories about Plants Folklore Plants have long been associated with folklore. And at this time of the year even more so. So lets delve into the beliefs and mysteries that surround many of the plants that we grow in gardens or find around the English countryside. First is the Elder, sambucus nigra - quoted by Archbishop Jacobus de Voragine as, "the tree of shame and darkness, dark and without beauty". In the past men have been put to death on it,and in some parts of the country it is known as God’s stinking tree. It was often planted in graveyards and is said to smell of dead men. Superstition tells you never burn elder on your fire or the Devil will sit on your chimney, and perhaps even come down it. However it is a good native plant, and will thrive in almost any soil. A particularly striking variety is called ‘Black Beauty’. Next is the early purple Orchid, Orchis mascula, With names like, Devil’s fingers, bloody bones and dead mans hand it has a long and mystical history. The names derive from the long tubers that are found, if you dig the plant up. (But please don’t try, as it is illegal to do so). One tuber is swollen ready for next seasons growth, while the other is limp after giving energy for the present years growth. The swollen tuber is said to promote lust, while the flaccid one is for dampening it, for obvious reasons. Devil’s Bit. The story goes that the Devil was in a rage with this healing plant, Succisa pratensis, and the good it was doing for many ailments such as the plague, fever and the bites of many beasties. So much so that he bit of the root. If you look at the plant’s root you will see that it is short and stumpy, But take care not to touch the end, as no amount of soap and water will get rid of the Devil’s breath. This is an easy plant to grow from seed and will spread quickly. With the next the Ragwort, dark forces suggest that the stems of the poisonous weed ragwort are used by fairies, witches, warlocks and the Devil himself as transport. It will grow in almost any soil, and has quite a pretty flower, but remember it is very dangerous and is harmful to livestock. The Mandrake, Mandragora officinarum is a plant shrouded in mystery and legend. The roots have long been used to prevent sterility in men and animals and to induce love. However it is said you must never pull the plant out of the ground. Folklore says the shriek it will utter will kill you instantly. Instead men used to tie a hungry dog to it with a bowl of food a few paces away, so in the attempt to reach the bowl if anybody died it would be the dog while the man would get the root. The Rue, Ruta graveolens, was hung in doors and windows at this time of the year in medieval times so that no evil spirit would dare enter the house. Rue was used to stop fleas from coming into the house by rubbing areas with the bitter, pungent juice released from a crushed stem. Priests would dip rue in Holy water and anoint people or bless a house to dispel evil. It was also carried in bunches on the waist to ward off witches which earned it the common name of witch bane. Rue needs a well drained soil and a sunny position. Some say it has an offensive smell while others like it, it’s a matter of taste, but take care as the sap can cause severe irritation if it gets on your skin. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis was brought to England in the 14th century from the Mediterranean where it was hung in clusters over the cradles of infants to protect them from the evil eye. It was also called "brides herb?, and was believed to ward off evil on the wedding day. Burned with thyme and juniper, the smoke gets rid of witches and also cleans the air in a sick room. Rosemary is a herb that will thrive in a well drained soil in a sunny position. Yew was planted in churchyards as their roots were thought to grow through the eyes of the dead. This was said to stop them seeing into this world, and keep them from trying to return as spirits. In pagan times it was also a symbol of life itself, as when many other plants lost their leaves in winter, the dark evergreen leaves of the yew and its red berries told that life continued. Yew is an excellent plant for a formal hedge or grow it as a single specimen if you have the room. Sage, Salvia officinalis is a symbol of immortality. It was often planted on graves in days gone by as it was said to live forever, often thriving on neglect where other plants would fail and die, and it’s true that it is one of the easiest plants to grow as long as it is not in wet soil. Now every good witch knows that the best wands are made from Mistletoe, Viscum allnum grown on an oak. It also acts as a deterrent against demons. Mistletoe berries pushed into the bark of a tree, preferably a native like apple or oak, should germinate and you will be able to grow your own plant, and they will not harm their host. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, also called "the devils plaything" or "devils rattle", is used in spells and witchcraft. Cut the stem across and you will see the initials of your true love. Sow an ounce of yarrow picked from a young man's grave and place it under the pillow of the person you want to fall in love with you. Mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia or "witchwood" used to be planted in graveyards to stop the dead from rising, and for the same reason it used to be built into coffins. A branch hung over the door will protect your house from fairies but it is the bright red berries that are said to ward off evil. In Wales it is called Cas gangythraul, which means "devils hate". Others to keep an eye on are Vervain, which will handicap witches. Never pick a Pansy with dew on it. It is said to cause the death of a loved one, and if you pick one on a fine day you will invite it to storm. Parsley is said to go down and back to the devil seven times, that is why it takes so long to germinate. Witches ointment is made from Aconite and Belladonna. They smear themselves with the extract which may give the sensation of flying due to the hideous poisons found in both of these plants. Fennel will keep witches away. It should be hung over doorways to protect from enchantment. There are lots of other plants associated with myths, and there are more than 50 common names for plants that are preceded by the word Devil. Mother-in-Law's Tongue - did you know? The Latin name for mother-in-law's tongue, 'sansevieria' comes from the Italian Prince of Sansevieria, who was a horticulturalist in the 18th century. Although they resemble cacti, they are in fact part of the lily family. There are over 50 species, some being so tough and fibrous that in parts of Indonesia and Africa they actually make rope from them. The Language of Flowers Researching this topic has yielded much information, some contradictory because the sources differ. Some of the information comes from off of the Internet; some from books (both dusty from archives and new, from various bookshop, et al), magazines, greeting cards, and advertisements found in florists' shops. Though sometimes, adding information after posting it here makes the whole sequence get a bit out of wack, I've tried to put it all together in some semblance of order. Bear with me! I have included common names and the scientific names. Here's the result, make of it what you will! When you've finished with one list, the next follows: Say It With Flowers The Flower List... The easiest way to search is to hold down the Ctrl key and touch the F key which opens a Find box. You type in the term that you want to find and if it is included in the document, it will go directly to it. If you don't get an answer, refine your search or simplify it. For example, type in the letter of the word you hope to find. Happy hunting! Editor. Flowers-both cultivated and those with a native nature-have become associated with sentiments, often with the purpose of conveying amorous thoughts. In the 1600s in Constantinople (what is now Istanbul), flowers gained meanings which enabled lovers to convey messages to each other without having to write or talk. This language of flowers was introduced to Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a celebrated letter-writer and society poet who, in 1716, accompanied her husband to the Turkish Court in Istanbul. During her stay, she sent a Turkish love letter to England which interpreted the meanings of some plants, flowers, and spices. The wonder of flowers, she proposed, was that words and messages of love - even altercations - could be passed in a refined and subtle manner without 'inking the fingers'. The passing of messages via the floral code was then taken up by the French, only to return to England during the reign of Queen Victoria. More than 800 flowers have special meanings associated with them. There are over 30 for roses alone. The way in which the flowers were worn and presented had a meaning in addition to the sentiments attached to individual flowers. A flower bent towards the right would signify "I", while one extending to the left would signify "you". Therefore a red rosebud leaning to the left would say: "You are pure and lovely". A A beauty - Orchis A belle - Orchis A heart ignorant of love - White rosebud A smile - Sweet William A token - Ox-eye daisy, Laurestina Absence - Wormwood Acknowledgement - Canterbury bell Activity - Thyme Adversity, energy in - Camomile Admiration - Amethyst Adoration - Dwarf sunflower Adresses rejected - Ice plant Advice - Rhubarb Affectation - Morning glory Affection - Mossy saxifrage, pear, sorrel Affection, bonds of - Gillyflower Affection, enduring - Gorse Afterthought - Michaelmas Daisy Age - Guelder rose Agreement - Straw Alas! For my poor heart - Deep red carnation Always lovely - Indian double pink Am I forgotten? - Holly Ambition - Mountain laurel Amiability - Jasmine Anticipation - Gooseberry Anxious and trembling - Red columbine Appointed meeting - Everlasting pea Ardent Love - Balsam Ardor - Cuckoo plant, arum lily Argument - Fig Artifice - Acanthus Assiduous to please - Sprig of ivy with tendrills Assignation - Pimpernel Attachment - Indian jasmine Audacity - Larch Austerity - Common thistle Avarice - Scarlet auricula Aversion - Indian single pink B Bantering - Southernwood Bashful shame - Deep red rose Bashfulness - Peony Be mine - Four-leaved clover Beautiful, call me not - Unique rose Beautiful eyes - Variegated tulip Beauty - Parti-coloured daisy, rull red rose Beauty - Orchis Beauty always new - China rose Beauty and prosperity - Red-leaved rose Beauty, capricious - Lady's slipper, musk rose Beauty, delicate - Hibiscus Beauty, divine - American cowslip Beauty, lasting - Stock Beauty, mental - Clematis Beauty, pensive - Laburnum Beauty, rustic - French honeysuckle Beauty, unconscious - Burgundy rose Beauty,unfading - Gillyflower Belief - Passion-flower Belle - Orchis Benevolence - Potato Betrayal - Judas tere Beware - Oleander, rosebay Beware of Excess - Saffron Blackness - Ebony Bluntness - Borage Blushes - Marjoram Boaster - Hydrangea Boldness - Pink Bonds - Convolvulus Bonds of affection - Gillyflower Bravery - Oak leaves Bulk - Water melon, gourd Bury me amid Nature's beauties - Persimmon C Call me not beautiful - Unique rose Capricious beauty - Lady's slipper, musk rose Change - Pimpernel Changeable disposition - Rye grass Charity - Turnip Charming - Cluster of musk roses Chaste love - Acacia Cheerfullness in old age - American Starwort Cheerfulness under adversity - Chrysanthemum Childishness - Buttercup Chivalry - Great yellow daffodil Cleanliness - Hyssop Coldheartedness - Lettuce Color of my Life - Coral honeysuckle Come down - Jacob's ladder Comforting - Scarlet geranium Compassion - Allspice Concealed Love - Motherwort Concealed merit - Coriander Confession of love - Moss rosebud Confidence - Lilac polyanthus Conjugal love - Lime Consolation - Red popppy Cordiality - Peppermint Counterfeit - Mock orange Crime - Tamarisk Criticism - Cucumber Cure - Balm of gilead Cure for heartache - Cranberry, swallow-wort Curiosity - Sycamore D Danger - Rhododendron, monkshood Dangerous pleasures - Tuberose Dauntlessness - Sea lavendar Death - Cypress Death preferrable to loss of innocence - White rose(dried) Deceit - Flytrap, dogsbane Deceitful chams - Thorn-apple Deception - White cherry Declaration of love - Red tulip Decrease of love - Yellow sweet-brier, yellow rose Dejection - Lichen Delay - Eupatorium Delicacy - Cornflower Delicate Beauty - Hibiscus Departure - Sweet Pea Despair - Cypress and marigold Devotion - Heliotrope Difficulties, I surmount - Mistletoe Dignity - Cloves, laurel-leaved magnolia Disappointment - Carolina syringa Discretion - Lemon blossoms, maidenhair Disdain - Yellow carnation, rue Distinction - Cardinal flower Distrust - Lavender Divine beauty - American cowslip Do me justice - Sweet chestnut tree Do not abuse - Saffron Domestic industry - Flax E Early attachment - Thornless rose Early friendship - Blue periwinkle Early youth - Primrose Education - Cherry tree Elegance and grace - Yellow jasmine Elegance, mature - Pomegranate flower Elevation - Scotch fir Enchantment - Holly herb Enduring affection - Gorse Energy in adversity - Camomile Envy - Crane's bill, bramble Esteem - Garden sage Esteem and love - Strawberry tree Esteem but not love - Spiderwort Estranged love - Lotus flower Evanescent pleasure - Poppy Excellence, perfect - Strawberry Excellence, unpretending - Camellia japonica Excess, beware of - Saffron Expectation - Anemone Expected meeting - Nutmeg, geraniums Extent - Gourd Extinguished hopes - Major convolvulus Extravagance, fantastic - Scarlet poppy Eyes, beautiful - Variegated tulip F Faithfulness - Blue violet, heliotrope Falsehood - Yellow lily Fame - Tulip Fantastic extravagance - Scarlet poppy Farewell - Michaelmas daisy Fascination - Carnation, honesty Fashion - Lady's mantle Fate - Hemp Feasting - Parsley Fecundity - Hollyhock Female ambition - White hollyhock Female fidelity - Speedwell Festivity - Parsley Fickleness - Pink Larkspur Fidelity - Veronica, Ivy, Plum Tree Fidelity in love - Lemon blossoms Filial love - Virgin's bower Fine arts - Acanthus Finesse - Sweet william Fire, flame - Fleur-de-luce First emotions of love - Purple lilac Fitness - Sweet flag Flattery - Venus' looking-glass Flee away - Pennyroyal Folly - Columbine Foolishness - Pomegranate Foresight - Holly Forgetfulness - Moonwort Forget me not - Forget-me-not Forsaken - Garden anemone, laburnum Forsaken love - creeping willow Fraternal love - Woodbine Freedom - Water willow Freshness - Damask rose Friends, thoughts of absent - Zinnia Friendship - Rose acacia G Gaeity - Butterfly orchis, yellow lily Gain - Cabbage Gallantry - A nosegay, sweet william Generosity - Orange tree Generous and devoted affection - French honeysuckle Genius - Plane tree Gentility - Geranium, pompon rose Girlhood - White rosebud Gladness - Myrrh Gladness, youthful - Spring crocus Glory - Bay tree, laurel Good wishes - Sweet basil Goodness - Mercury Gossip - Coboea Grace - Multiflora rose Grace and elegance - Yellow jasmine Gracefulness - Birch tree Grandeur - Ash tree Grief - Harebell, marigold H Happiness, return of - Lily of the Valley Happy love - Bridal rose Hatred - Basil Haughtiness - Purple larkspur, tall sunflower Health - Iceland moss Heart's mystery - Crimson polyanthus Heartlessness - Hydrangea Hidden worth - Coriander Honesty - Honesty Hope - Flowering almond, hawthorn, snowdrop Hope extinguished - Major convolvulus Hope in adversity - Spruce pine Hopeless love - Yellow tulip Hopeless, not heartless - Love-lies bleeding Hospitality - Oak tree Humility - Broom, small bindweed, field lilac I I am too happy - Cape jasmine I am worthy of you - White rose I am your captive - Peach blossom I aspire to thy smile - Daily rose I attach myself to you - Indian jamsine I change but in death - Bay leaf I declare against you - Liquorice I desire a return of affection - Jonquil I die if neglected - Laurestina I engage you for the next dance - Ivy geranium I feel your kindness - Flax I have a message for you - Iris I live for thee - Cedar leaf I love - Red chrysanthemum I surmount difficulties - Mistletoe I will not answer hastily - Monthly honeysuckele I will not survive you - Black mulberry Imagination - Lupin Immortality - Amaranth Impatience - Yellow balsam Impatient resolves - Red balsam Inconstancy - Evening primrose Inconstancy in love - Wild honeysuckle Incorruptible - Cedar of lebanon Independence - Wild plum tree, white oak Indifference - Candytuft, mustard seed, senvy Indiscretion - Almond tree Ingenuous simplicity - Mouse-eared chickweed Ingenuity - Pencil-leaved geranium Ingratitude - Buttercup, wild ranunculus Injustice - Hop Innocence - White daisy, white violet Innocence, youthful - White lilac Insincerity - Foxglove Insinuation - Great bindweed Inspiration - Angelica Instability - Dahlia Ireland - Shamrock J Jealousy - French marigold, yellow rose Jest - Southernwood Joy - Wood sorrel Joys to come - Celandine Justice, do me - Sweet chestnut tree Justice shall be done to you - Coltsfoot K Keep your promises - Plum tree Knowledge, useful - Parsley L Lamentation - Aspen tree Lasting beauty - Stock Lasting pleasure - Everlasting pea Levity, lightness - Larkspur Life - Lucerne Lightheartedness - Shamrock Longevity - Fig Love - Blue violet, myrtle, rose Love in idleness - Wild violet Love is dangerous - Carolina rose Love of nature - Magnolia Love returned - Ambrosia Love's oracle - Dandelion Love, a heart ignorant of - White rosebud Love, ambassador of - Cabbage rose Love, ardent - Balsam Love, chaste - Acacia Love, confession of - Moss rosebud Love, declaration of - Red tulip Love, estranged - Lotus flower Love, forsaken - Creeping willow Love, only deserve my - Campion rose Love, platonic - Rose acacia Love, pure and ardent - Double red pink Love, secret - Toothwort, yellow acacia Love, slighted - Yellow chrysanthemum Love, sweet and secret - Honey flower Love, the first emotions of - Purple lilac Lovely, thou art all that is - Austrian rose Love, true - Forget-me-not Lowliness - Bramble Luxury - Chesnut Tree M Majesty - Crown imperial, imperial lily Malevolence - Lobelia Marriage - Ivy geranium Maternal affection - Cinquefoil Maternal love - Moss rosebud Maternal tenderness - Wood sorrel Matrimony - American Linden mature elegance - Pomegranate flower Meekness - Birch tree Meeting, an appointed - Everlasting pea Meeting, an expected - Nutmeg, geranium Melancholy - Dark geranium, cypress and marigold Memory, pleasures of - White periwinkle mental beauty - Clematis Merit, concealed - Coriander Merit, reward of - Bay wreath Message - Iris Modesty - White violet, white lilac Modesty and purity - White lily Momentary happiness - Virginian Spiderwort Mourning - Weeping willow, cypress Music - Oats, reeds My best days are past - Meadow saffron My compliments - Iris My heart is in flames - Provence rose N Nature, love - Magnolia Neatness - Broom, small bindweed, field lilac Neglected beauty - Throatwort Never ceasing remembrance - Everlasting Night - Minor convolvulus O Old age - Tree of life Only deserve my love - Campion rose Ornament - Hornbeam tree P Painting - Auricula Parental affection - Sorrell Passion - White dittany, yellow iris Patience - Dock, ox eye Patriotism - Nasturtium Peace - Olive branch Pensive beauty - Laburnum Pensiveness - Cowslip Perfected loveliness - White camelia japonica Perform your promise - Plum tree Perplexity - Love-in-a-mist Persecution - Chequered Fritillary Perseverance - Canary grass, swamp magnolia Piety, steadfast - Wild geranium Pity - Pine Platonic love - Rose acacia Play - Hyacinth Pleasant recollections - White periwinkle Pleasure and pain - Dog rose Pleasure, evanescent - Poppy Pleasure, lasting - Everlasting pea Pleasures of memory - White periwinkle Poetry - Eglantine Poverty - Evergreen clematis Power - Cress Precaution - Golden rod Precocity - May rose Presumption - Snapdragon Pretension - Spiked willow herb Prettiness - Pompon rose Pride - Amaryllis, hundred-leaved rose Promptness - Ten-week stock Prosperity - Beech tree, wheat Prudence - Mountain iash Pure and ardent love - Double red pink Pure and lovely - Red rosebud Pure love - Single red pink Purity - White lilac, Star of Bethlehem Purity and sweetness - White lily Q R Recall - Silver-leaved geranium Reconciliation - Filbert, hazel Refusal - Striped carnation, variegated pink Regard - Daffodil Relieve my anxiety - Christmas rose Religious superstition - Aloe, passion-flower Remembrance - Rosemary, forget-me-not Remorse - Bramble, raspberry Rendezvous - Chickwee Reserve - Maple Resolution - Purple columbine Restoration - Persicaria Retaliation - Scotch thistle Return of happiness - Lily of the valley revenge - Birdsfoot trefoil reverie - Flowering gern Reward of merit - Bay wreath Reward of virtue - Garland of roses Riches - Corn Rivalry - Rocket Rupture of a contract - Broken straw Rural happiness - Yellow violet Rustic beauty - French honeysuckle Rustic oracle - Dandelion S Sadness - Dead leaves, yew Safety - Traveller's joy Satire - Prickly pear Secret Love - Toothwort, yellow acacia Self-esteem - Poet's narcissus Sensitiveness - Mimosa Sensuality - Spanish jasmine Sentiment, warmth of - Spearmint Separation - Carolina jasmine Severity - Branch of thorns Shame - Peony Sharpness - Barberry Shyness - Vetch Sickness - Anemone, zephyr flower Silence - Belladonna (deadly nightshade) Silliness - Fool's parsley Simplicity - American sweet-brier Sincerity - Fern, honesty Slander - Stinging nettle Sleep - White poppy Slighted love - Yellow chrysanthemum Splendid beauty - Amarylis Steadfast piety - Wild geranium Stoicism - Box tree Strength - Cedar, fennel Surprise - Truffle Suspceptibility - Passion-flower Suspicion - Mushroom Sweet and secret love - Honey flower Sympathy - Balm, thrift T Talent - White pink Taste - Scarlet fuchsia Tears - Helenium Temperance - Azalea Temptation - Apple, quince The color of my fate - Coral honeysuckle The fine arts - Acanthus The first emotions of love - Purple lilac The heart's mystery - Crimson polyanthus The witching soul of music - Oats Thoughts - Pansy Thoughts of absent friends - Zinnia Thy frown will kill me - Currant Ties - Tendrils of climbing plants Time - White poplar Timidity - Amaryllis Token, a - Ox-eye daisy, laurestina Tranquilize my anxiety - Christmas rose Tranquility - Stonecrop Transient impressions - Withered white rose Transport of joy - Cape jasmine True friendship - Oak-leaved geranium True love - Forget-me-not Truth - White chrysanthemum, woody nightshade U Unanimity - Phlox Unbelief - judas tree Uncertainty - Convolvulus Unchangeable - Globe amaranth Unconscious - Red daisy Unconscious beauty - Burgundy rose Unexpected meeting - Lemon geranium Unfading beauty - Gillyflower Unfortunate love - Scabious Unity - White and red rose together Unpretending excellence - Camellia japonica Useful knowledge - Parsley Uselessness - Meadowsweet V Variety - Aster, mundi rose Victory - Palm Virtue - Mint Virtue, domestic - Sage Virtue, reward of - Garland of roses Voraciousness - Lupin Vulgar-minded - African marigold W War - York rose Warmth of sentiment - Spearmint Watchfulness - Dame violet Widowhood - Sweet scabious Win me and wear me - Lady's slipper Winning grace - Cowslip Winter - Guelder rose Wisdom - White mulberry Wish, a - Foxglove Wit - Ragged robin Witchcraft - Nightshade Woman's love - Carnation, carnation pink Worth beyond beauty - Sweet alyssum X Y You are perfect - Pine apple You are radiant with charms - Ranunculus You are young and beautiful - Red rosebud You occupy my thoughts - Pansy, purple violet You please all - Branch of currants You will be my death - Hemlock Your looks freeze me - Ice plant Your presence revives me - Rosemary Your purity equals your loveliness - Orange blossoms Your qualities, like your charms are unequalled - Peach Youth, early - Primrose Z Zealousness - Elder Zest - Lemon geranium ======================= A • Acacia - Secret love; chaste love; beauty in retirement; elegance; friendship; hope • Acorn - Nordic symbol of life and immortality • Agapanthus - Love letters • Allspice - Compassion • Almond Blossom - Hope; lover's charm • Aloe - Grief • Alstroemeria - Devotion; friendship • Alyssum - Worth beyond beauty • Ambrosia - Love returned • Amaranth - Fidelity • Amaranth, Globe - Unchangeable • Amaryllis - Pride; Timidity; splendid beauty • Anemone - Unfading love; truth; sincerity; anticipation; forsaken; fading hope • Angelica - Inspiration • Aniseed - Restoration of youth • Apple blossom - Preference; good fortune • Arbor Vitae - True friendship • Arbutus - Thee only do I love • Artemisia - Dignity • Aster - Love; daintiness • Azalea - Take care of yourself for me, fragile passion, temperance, Chinese symbol of womanhood B • Bachelor's Buttons - Celibacy; single blessedness; hope in love • Baby's Breath - Everlasting love; happiness; pure in heart • Basil - Best Wishes; Love • Bay Leaf - Strength • Begonia - Beware • Bells Of Ireland - Good luck • Bird Of Paradise - Magnificence • Bittersweet - Truth • Bluebell - Humility; constancy • Borage - Courage • Bouquet of withered flowers - Rejected love • Burnet - A merry heart • Buttercup - Cheerfulness; childishness; riches C • Cactus - Endurance; warmth; grandeur • Calendula - Joy • Camellia - Admiration; perfection; good luck gift to a man; loveliness • Camellia (Pink) - Longing for you • Camellia (Red) - You're a flame in my heart • Camellia (White) - You're adorable • Candytuft - Indifference • Carnation (in general) Bonds of affection; health and energy; fascination; alas for my poor heart • Carnation (pink) - I'll never forget you • Carnation (purple) - Capriciousness; whimsical; changeable • Carnation (red) - My heart aches for you; admiration • Carnation (solid colour) -Yes • Carnation (striped)- No; refusal; sorry I can't be with you; wish I could be with you • Carnation (white) -Sweet and lovely; innocence; pure love; woman's good luck gift • Carnation (yellow) - You have disappointed me; Rejection; disdain • Cattail - Peace; prosperity • Cedar - I live for thee; think of me • Chamomile - Patience ; attracts wealth • Chysanthemum (in general) - Cheerfulness; You're a wonderful friend • Chysanthemum (red) - I love • Chysanthemum (white) - Truth • Chysanthemum (yellow) -Slighted love • Cinnamon - My fortune is yours • Clover (four-leaf) - Good luck; be mine • Columbine - Folly • Coreopsis - Always cheerful • Cornflower - Delicacy; refinement • Coriander - Lust • Cowslip - Pensiveness; winning grace • Coxcomb - Foppery • Crocus - Cheerfulness; abuse not; joy • Cyclamen - Resignation and goodbye • Clover - Good luck D • Daffodil - Respect; regard; unrequited love; deceit • Dahlia - Good taste • Daisy - Innocence; loyal love; purity; faith; cheer; simplicity • Dandelion - Wishes come true; faithfulness; happiness • Delphinium - Airy • Dogwood - Durability E • Edelweiss - Daring; noble courage • Eucalyptus - Protection F • Fennel - Worthy of all praise; strength • Fern - Sincerity • Fern (Magic) - Facination; confidence and shelter • Fern (Maidenhair) - Secret bond of love • Feverfew - Protection • Fir - Time • Flax - Domestic symbol; fate • Forget-me-not - True love; memories; forget me not • Forsythia - Anticipation • Foxglove - Insincerity • Fuchsia - Good taste G • Gardenia - You're lovely; secret love; refinement; joy • Garland of roses - Reward of virtue • Garlic - Courage; strength • Geranium (Oak leafed) - Friendship • Geranium (Rose) - Preference • Geranium (Scented) - Preference, melancholy; stupidity; folly • Gillyflower - Bonds of affection • Gladiolus - Love at first sight; ready-armed; strength of character; generosity • Gloxinia - Love at first sight • Grass - Submission; utility H • Heather (lavender) - Admiration; solitude • Heather (pink) - Good luck • Heather (white) - Protection; wishes will come true; good luck • Heliotrope - Devotion; eternal love • Hibiscus - Delicate beauty • Holly - Good will; defence; domestic happiness; foresight • Hollyhock - Female ambition • Honeysuckle - Generous and devoted affection; sweetness of disposition • Hyacinth (general) - Rashness, sorrow, flower dedicated to Apollo • Hyacinth (blue) - Constancy • Hyacinth ( purple) - I'm sorry; please forgive me; sorrow • Hyacinth (red or pink) - Play • Hyacinth (white) - Loveliness; I'll pray for you • Hyacinth (yellow) - Jealousy • Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding; frigidity; heartlessness; vanity • Hyssop - Wards away evil spirits I • Iris - Faith; hope; wisdom and valour; my compliments; eloquence • Ivy - Fidelity; friendship; affection J • Jasmine - Amiability; wealth; grace and elegance • Jonquil - Love me; affection returned; desire; sympathy • Juniper - Protection K L • Larkspur (pink) - Fickleness; levity • Laurel (mountain) - Ambition • Lavender - Devotion, distrust • Lemon - Zest • Lemon Balm - Brings love • Lemon verbena - Attracts opposite sex • Lilac - First love • Lily (general) - Purity • Lily (calla) - Beauty • Lily (day) - Coquetry • Lily (eucharis) - Maidenly charms • Lily (orange) - Hatred • Lily (tiger) - Wealth; pride • Lily (white) - Virginity; purity; majesty; it's heavenly to be with you • Lily (yellow) - I'm walking on air; false and gay • Lily of the valley - sweetness; return to happiness; humility; perferct purity • Love-in-a-mist - Perplexity M • Magnolia - Sweetness; beauty; love of nature; nobility; dignity; splendid beauty • Marigold - Comforts the heart; grief; cruelty; jealousy; sacred affection • Mimosa - Sensitivity • Mint - Protection from illness; warmth of feeling • Marjoram (sweet) - Joy and happiness • Mistletoe - Kiss me; affection; to surmount difficulties; sacred plant of India, magic plant of the Druids • Monkshood - Beware, a deadly foe is near; chivalry • Moss - Maternal love; charity • Myrtle - Love; love in absence; remembrance; Hebrew emblem of marriage • Myrtle (wax) - Discipline; instruction N • Narcissus - Egotism; formality; stay as sweet as you are; you love yourself too well; self-esteem • Nasturtium - Conquest; victory in battle; maternal love; charity; patriotism O • Oleander - Caution; beware • Orange - Generosity • Orange Blossom - Wisdom; purity; eternal love; your purity equals your loveliness • Orange (mock) - Deceit • Orchid - Love; beauty; refinement; you flatter me • Orchid (Cattleya) - Mature charm P • Palm leaves - Victory and success • Pansy - Thoughts; love • Peach blossom - Longevity • Peony - Shame; bashfulness; anger; indignation • Peppermint - Warmth of feelings • Periwinkle (blue) - Early friendship • Periwinkle (white) - Pleasures of memory • Petunia - Resentment; anger; your presence soothes me; never despairing • Phlox - Agreement; sweet dreams • Pine - Hope; pity • Pink - Boldness • Poinsettia - Be of good cheer • Poppy (general) - Eternal sleep; oblivion; imagination; extravagance • Poppy (red) -Pleasure • Poppy (white) - Consolation; sleep • Poppy( yellow) - Wealth; success • Prickly Pear - Satire • Primrose - I can't live without you; early youth; young love • Primrose (evening) - Inconstancy Q • Queen Anne's Lace - Fantasy R • Rose (red) - Love ; I love you • Rose (white) - Eternal Love; innocence; heavenly; secrecy and silence • Rose (pink) - Perfect happiness; please believe me • Rose (yellow) - Friendship; jealousy; try to care • Rose (black) - Death • Rose (red and white) - Together; unity • Rose (thornless) - Love at first sight • Rose (single, full bloom) - I love you; I still love you • Rose bud - Beauty and youth; a heart innocent of love • Rose bud (red) - Pure and lovely • Rose bud (white) - Girlhood • Rosebud (moss) - Confessions of love • Roses (bouquet of full bloom) - Gratitude • Roses (garland or crown of) - Beware of virtue; reward of merit; crown ; symbol of superior merit • Roses (musk cluster) - Charming • Rose (tea) - I'll always remember • Rose (cabbage) - Ambassador of love • Rose (Christmas) - Tranquilize my anxiety; anxiety • Rose (damask) - Brilliant complexion • Rose (dark crimson) - Mourning • Rose (hibiscus) - Delicate beauty • Rose leaf - You may hope • Rosemary - Remembrance; commitment; fidelity S • Sage - Wisdom; long life; domestic virtue • Salvia (blue) - I think of you • Smilax - Loveliness • Snapdragon - No; deception; gracious lady; presumption • Spearmint - Warmth of sentiment • Spiderflower - Elope with me • Statice - Lasting beauty • Star of Bethlehem - Atonement • Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage; desire to travel; come to me • Stock - Lasting beauty; promptness • Strawberry - Perfect goodness • Sunflower - Loyalty; haughtiness; you are splendid • Sweet Basil - Good luck • Sweet pea - Goodbye; departure; blissful pleasure; Thank you for a lovely time • Sweet William - Grant me one smile; perfection; gallantry T • Thrift - Sympathy • Thyme - Strength and courage • Tuberose - Dangerous pleasure • Tulip(general) - Fame; charity; declaration of love; • Tulip(red) - Believe me; declaration of love • Tulip(variegated) - Beautiful eyes • Tulip(yellow) - Hopeless love U V • Violet - Modesty; faithfulness • Violet (blue) - Watchfulness; faithfulness; I'll always be true • Violet (white) - Let's take a chance on happiness • Viscaria - Will you dance with me? W • Water Lily - Purity of heart • Wistaria - I cling to you • Woodruff - Sweet humility X • Xeranthemum - Cheerfulness under adversity Y • Yarrow - Health; healing Z • Zinnia - Thoughts of friends • Zinnia (magenta) - Lasting affection • Zinnia (mixed) - Thinking of an absent friend • Zinnia (scarlet) - Constancy • Zinnia (white) - Goodness • Zinnia (yellow) - Daily remembrance A Rose by any other name is but a rose THESAURUS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Asian Basil (Ocimum basilicum) English: also Thai basil, sweet basil Chinese: hsiang tsai Danish: basilikum Dutch: basilicum, bazielkruid, koningskruid French: basilic German: Basilikum, Basilienkraut Hindi: babui tulsi, gulal tulsi, marva Italian: basilico Malay: selaseh, selasi Portuguese: basílico, manjericão grande, amjerico da folha grande Spanish: albahaca, alhábega Thai: tarp hao (light green), ho lap har (green) Vietnamese: rau quê ________________________________________ Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) English: coriander, collender Arabic: kuzbara Chinese: yan sui, heong choy Danish: koriander Dutch: koriander French: coriander German: Koriander Hindi: dhania, dhanya Italian: coriandolo Japanese: koendoro Laotian: hong pomn Malay: ketumbar Portuguese: coentro Spanish: coriandro, cilandrio, cilantro, culantro Thai: phak cheethai Vietnamese: ngò rí ________________________________________ Garlic (Allium sativum) English: garlic Arabic: tum, saum Chinese: da suan, suan tau Danish: hvid-løg, slangehvidløg Dutch: knoflook Filipino: bawang, bawany French: ail, a.ordinaire, a. blanc German: Knoblauch Greek: skórdo Hindi: lahsan Italian: aglio, a. domestico Japanese: ninniku Laotian: khat thiam Malay: bawang putih Portuguese: alho, a. comum Russian: cesnok Spanish: ajo, ajo comun Thai: khat thiam Vietnamese: toi ________________________________________ Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) English: Chinese leek, Chinese chives Arabic: kurrat seeny Chinese: jiu cai, kau choy, kucai Danish: kina-løg Filipino: kutsay, ganda, amput, imayyaw French: ail civette de Chine, a. chinoise, ciboulette chinoise German: Chinalauch Indonesian: kuchai Italian: cipollina chinese Japanese: nira Malay: kuchai Portuguese: alho chinês Spanish: cive chino, cebollino de la China Thai: kuichai, hom-paen Vietnamese: he ________________________________________ Ginger (Zingiber officinale) English: ginger Arabic: alzangabeel Chinese: geung, tsee geung, jang ho, jiang Danish: ingefaer Dutch: gember, amoom Filipino: luya French: amome, gingembre German: Ingwer Hindi: adrak, ada Indonesian: jahe, alia, halia Italian: zenzero officinale Japanese: shouga, myoga Korean: saenggang, saeng Malay: halia Portuguese: gengibre, g. amarelo, g. das boticas Spanish: jengibre, j. oficinal Thai: khing Vietnamese: gùng ________________________________________ Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) English: lemon grass Chinese: heong mau Filipino: tanglad German: Zitronengras Laotian: thakai Malay: serai Thai: thakai Vietnamese: xa ________________________________________Mint (Mentha arvensis) English: mint German: Minze Spanish: Menta Vietnamese: rau hung luy ________________________________________Mustard Green (Brassica juncea) English: Chinese mustard, Indian mustard, leaf mustard, mustard cabbage, Swatow mustard cabbage, bamboo mustard cabbage, Sow cabbage Chinese: daai gaai choi, chuk gaai choi, jiu la choi, jie cai, gai cai, kaai tsoi, gai choy, hsueh lay hung Danish: mosterd Dutch: Sareptamosterd, Indiaause mosterd, mosterd Filipino: mustasa French: moutarde a petites feuilles,chou faux jone, moutarde de Sarepta, m. jonciforme German: Sarepta-Senf, Ruten-Kohl Hindi: rai Indonesian: sawi, sesawi Italian: senape, senape indiana Japanese: takana, karashina Malay: sawi pahit Portuguese: mostarda de folhas pequenas, m. indiana, mostarda vermelha Spanish: mostaza de la China, mostaza de India Thai: phakkat-khieo Vietnamese: cai xanh ________________________________________ Okra (Hibiscus esculentus, Abelmoschus esculentus) English: lady’s fingers, gumbo Arabic: bamya Chinese: huang qiu kui, yong kok dau Danish: okra, abelmoskus, gombo Dutch: gombo, okra, oker Filipino: okra, saluyota bunga, haluyoy French: gombo, okra, ketmie comestible German: Okra, Eibisch, Gombo, Gombro, Hindi: bhindi, tori, ramturai Indonesian: kopi arab, bunga depros, kembang dapros, okya Italian: ibisco, frutto d’ibisco, gombo, gombro, ocra Japanese: okura, america-neri Laotian: tuah lek Malay: kacang benki, sayur bendi, kacang lendir Portuguese: quiabo, gombro, quingombo Russian: bamija Spanish: gombo, ocra, chaucha turca, quimgombó Thai: krachiap man, krachiapkhieo, bakhua mun Vietnamese: dâu bap ________________________________________ Shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum, A. ascalonicum) English: potato onion, multiplier onion Arabic: bassal el shallut Chinese: fen nie yang cong Danish: skalotteløg, kartoffeløg Dutch: sjalot Filipino: sibuyas talalog French: échalote, oignon-paatate German: Eschlauch Hindi: gandana Italian: scalogno Japanese: sharotto Malay: daun bawang, bawang merah, bawang kecil Portuguese: chalota Russian: luk-salot Spanish: chalote, escaluña, ascalonia Thai: homon deng Vietnamese: hành huong ________________________________________ Snowpea (Pisum sativum) English: sweet pea, Chinese pea Chinese: tian cui wan dou, shid dou, hor lan dou Danish: sukkeraert Dutch: peul Filipino: chicaro French: pois mange tout, p. sucré German: Zuckererbse Italian: pisello mangiatutto, p. dolce, taccola Japanese: kinusaya Malay: kacang pi Portuguese: ervilha torta, e. de quebrar, e. tipo come-tudo Spanish: guisante tirabeque, g. come-todo, g. azucarado Thai: tua lan tau Vietnamese: dâu hòa lan ________________________________________ Spearmint (Mentha viridis, M. spicata) English: lamb mint, green mint Chinese: liu lan xiang Danish: grøn mynte, krusssemynte Dutch: groene munt, kruizemunt French: baume verte, menthe en épi, m. de Notre-Dame, m. crépue, m. verte German: Grüne Minze, Grüne Roßminze, Krause Minze Hindi: pahari pudina, pudina Italian: mentha verde, m. gentile, m. romana, m. crespa Portuguese: hortelã, hortelã comum, h. verde Spanish: hierba buena, h. santa, h. sana mentha, mentha romana, m. crespa Thai: selernay Vietnamese: rau húng lui ________________________________________ Spring Onion (Allium fistulosum) English: Welsh/Japanese bunching onion Arabic: bassal el-mustatere, bassal el-ankudy Chinese: choong Danish: pibe-løg Dutch: grof bieslook French: ciboulette, cive, ail-ciboule, ciboule German: Winterzwiebel Italian: cipolla d’Inverno, cipolletta Japanese: negi Malay: daun bawang Portuguese: cebolinha, c. comum, c. de todo o ano, c. verde Russian: luk batun Spanish: cebolleta, c. comum, cebollino de verdeo común Thai: hark korm Vietnamese: hành lá ________________________________________ Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) English: batatas, boniato, white-fleshed sweet potato Arabic: ba ta tah helua Chinese: gan shu, gan ye, fan shu Danish: sod kartoffel, bataat Dutch: bataat, zoete aardappel Filipino: kamote French: patate douce German: Süßkartoffel, Batate Hindi: sakarkand, mitha alu Indonesian: ubi jalor, hwi, keledek, ketela rambat, tela, bodin, ubi merah Italian: patata americana, patata kolce, batata Japanese: satsuma-imo, kanjo Korean: koguma Malay: ubi keledek, ubi kastela, ubi keladi Portuguese: batata doce Russian: batat Spanish: batata, boniato, camote, papa dulce, moniato Thai: muntail, hua mun, man thet Vietnamese: lá khoai lang, lá khoai mony ________________________________________ Taro (Colocasia esculenta) English: cocoyam, elephant’s ear plant, Chinese potato, dasheen, coco, eddoe/edo, malanga, gabi, coc, kalo Chinese: woo tau, woo, wu chai, yu, yu tou, bun long woo tau, hung nga woo tau Filipino: gabi, aba long, dagmay, lubingan, psing Japanese: sato-imo, kiomo, yatsugashita ebi imo, oya imo, serebesu Korean: t’oran Malay: ubi keladi Thai: puerg, puak Vietnamese: khoai môn, khoai so ________________________________________ Turmeric (Cucurma domestica, C. longa) English: cà pháo Arabic: kur kum, zangabeel asfer Chinese: jiang huang, wong keong Danish: gurkemeje, Gelbwurzel Filipino: luyang dilaw French: curcuma, c. longue, curry, safran des Indes German: Lange Kurkuma Hindi: haldi, halada Italian: curcuma lunga, zafferano delle Indie, radice gialla Japanese: ukon Malay: kunyit Portuguese: açafrào da Índia, curcuma, gengibre dourada Spanish: cúrcuma larga, c. longa, azafrán de la India Thai: cummin Vietnamese: nghê ________________________________________ Watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-acquaticum) English: watercress Chinese: sai yeung tsoi Filipino: lampaka, mustapa,amat, pakhoy German: Wasserkresse Indonesian: selada air, cencil, jembrak, gejembrak, sesawi tanah Japanese: uotakuresu Malay: semanggi Spanish: berro Thai: phakkat-nam Vietnamese: xà lách son ________________________________________ White Radish (Raphanus sativus) English: oriental winter radish, daikon, long white radish, Japanese radish Arabic: fejil Chinese: loh bok, loh baak, loh bo, lai fu, lu fu, luobo Danish: raeddike, japanraeddike, kinaraeddike Dutch: ramenas Filipino: labanos, rabanos, alibanos French: rave, daikon German: Rettich Hindi: muli Italian: rafano Japanese: daikon Korean: mu Malay: lobak putih, lobak, lobak isi Portuguese: rabão, rábano Russian: red’ka Spanish: rábano Thai: hua piahs Vietnamese: cu cai trang ________________________________________ Yam (Dioscorea alata) English: Chinese yam, asiatic/white yam, potato yam, winged yam Arabic: batata maee Chinese: da shu, tai shue, shuyu Danish: yans Filipino: ubi French: igname de chine, i. ailée, pacala German: Yamswurzel, Wasseryam Hindi: ratalu, chupri alu, khamatu Italian: igname Japanese: daisho Malay: ubi kemali Portuguese: cará de Angola, c. branco, inhame bravo, cará da terra Spanish: ñame, de agua, ñ. branco, cará branco Thai: huabon Vietnamese: khoaimó ________________________________________ saffron - azafrán sage - salvia salmon - salmón salt cod - bacalao salado salt - sal salted - salado sandwich (with Spanish bread) - bocadillo sandwich toaster - sandwichera sardines - sardinas sauce - salsa saucepan - cazo sausage - salchicha sausage meat - carne de salchicha sausage roll - salchicha envuelta en hojaldre sauté - saltear scald - escaldar scallion (young onion) - cebolleta, cebollín, cebolla de verdeo, chalote, chalota scrambled egg - huevos revueltos sea bream - besugo seal - sellar seafood - mariscos seasoning - condimento season with salt - sazonar season with salt and pepper - salmpimentar seeds - semillas self-raising - harina con levadura (Esp), leudante (RPl) sieve - tamizar shallot - cebolleta shapes - formas shellfish - mariscos shells - cáscaras sherry - jerez shopping list - lista de la compra shoulder - (cut of meat) paletilla, paleta shrimp - (large) langostino, camarón shrimp - (medium) camarón, gamba, langostino shrimp - (small) camarón, quisquilla side - lado silver foil - papel de aluminio sieve - tamiz, cedazo, cernidor simmer - cocinar a fuego lento sirloin steak - solomillo skim - desnatar skimmed milk - leche desnatada skin - n. piel / v. pelar skinned - pelado sliced - en trozos sliced bread - pan de molde slotted spoon - espumadera smear - untar smoked - ahumado snack - un tentempié, un refrigerio snack - (to have a snack) comer algo ligero snail - caracol soak - remojar soft drink - refresco (bebida no alcohólica) sour - agrio sour cream - nata agria soy sauce - salsa de soja spaghetti - espaguetis spare ribs - costillas spicy - picante spinach - espinacas spoon - cucharada spoon - sacar con cuchara sprig - ramita sprinkle - salpicar squeeze - exprimir squid - calamar stale bread - pan duro stalk - tallo steak - bistec steamer - vapor stew - estofado stiff - espeso stir-fry - freír stock - caldo strain - colar strainer - colador strawberry - fresa streaky bacon - tocino entreverado strips - tiritas stuff - rellenar stuffing - relleno suckling pig - lechón (cochinillo) sugar - azucar sultana - pasa sultana sweet - dulce sweet and sour - agridulce sweet basil - albahaca sweetbreads -mollejas, lechecillas sweetcorn - maíz tierno, elote (Méx), choclo (AmS), jojoto (Ven) sweeten - endulzar, azucarar sweetener - endulzante sweet potato - boniato , batata , camote (Andes, Méx) sweet-toothed - goloso syrup - (sugar solution) almíbar Neighborhood Link Terms of Use © 1997 - 2006 Neighborhood Link, Inc. |