Saffron – Crocus sativus

Saffron from Koehler’s Medicinal-Plants 1887

The saffron of virtue and contentment
Is dissolved in the water-gun of love and affection.
Pink and red clouds of emotion are flying about,
Limitless colours raining down.

 By Mirabai, (1498-1546)

This crocus’s origin is obscure, but some believe it originated in Asia Minor. The history of cultivation dates back 3000 years; with the first documentation in the 7^th century BC, in an Assyrian botanical. It is believed that cultivation of and hybridizing of the wild crocus Crocus cartwrightianus resulted in the sterile flowering plant we now know. Saffron is even mentioned in the Bible.

 

In herbal medicine it has been used to treat coughs, whooping cough, stomach gas, colic, and insomnia. In salve form it has been used to treat gout.

 

The flower styles are commonly used as a flavoring and yellow coloring for various foods such as bread, soups, sauces, rice and puddings. They are an essential ingredient of many traditional dishes such as paella, bouillabaisse, risotto milanese and various other Italian dishes.

 

The yellow dye obtained from the stigmas has been used for many centuries to color cloth. It is the favored coloring for the cloth of Indian swamis. A blue or green dye is extracted from the petals.

The above pic is from Koehler’s Medicinal-Plants 1887 [Image in Public Domain]

Bearded Iris – Iris germanica

Bearded Iris flower

Shades of purple, hints of yellow,
Lavender and violet hues,
Regal, royal Irises,
Proud, Spring flowers on review.

Flags unfurled at full-mast,
Sword-shaped leaves unsheathed,
Stand tall, and line the path,
Banners blowing in the breeze.

By Virginia Ellis

 

This native of Europe is a popular garden addition. The name “Bearded” refers to the presence of a furry strip on each of three drooping, petal-like sepals, called falls. The plant is named after the rainbow goddess, ‘Iris,’ from the beauty and variety of colors in the flowers of the genus.

Also called Orris Root they are grown in Tuscany and other parts if Italy. The Iris is treated with great care, and the ground is cared for and weeded carefully about each plant by the barefoot women. In the fall the plants are just as carefully dug up, trimmed and dried. It can take several years of drying to fully develop the fragrance of the roots. The roots take on the scent of Violets. An essential oil is extracted from the fresh roots.

The iris has since ancient time, been used for purification. As in Roman times the fresh flowers can be placed in an area to be cleansed. The three petals of the flower symbolize faith, wisdom, and valor.

A black dye can be obtained from the root, while a blue dye can be had from the flowers. Sometimes the seeds are used as rosary beads.

Crocus – Crocus vernus

Crocuses

These perennial corm flowers are native to Central and southern Europe (including the islands of the Aegean), North Africa and the Middle East, across Central Asia to western China. Crocus grows two to six inches tall, with a spread of three to six inches. The leaves are grass-like and the flowers can be yellow, white, purple, or a mixture of these colors.

During the fifth century doctors in the Byzantine Empire had a high regard for the plant’s effectiveness as a remedy for “conditions of the joints” (probably rheumatism and arthritis). The pollen of the Crocus flowers was used to stop the pain of toothaches and to prevent tooth decay. It was also used to treat headaches, dysentery, measles, fever, jaundice, cholera, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and skin diseases.

According to legends, the crocus indicates either the place where the gods Jove and Juno lay together or the place where the enchantress Medea spilled an elixir of life.

The corm of the Crocus contains Colchicine, an alkaloid, and a cardiovascular toxin. Cats, cattle and humans all suffer severe gastric distress, shock, and an inhibition of normal cell growth. According to the Greek naturalist Theophrastus, slaves ate small pieces of the corm when they were angry with their masters to make themselves ill and unable to work.

Freesia – Freesia corymbosa

Freesia flowers

This perennial native of Africa is in the Iridaceae (Iris family). They are herbaceous plants that usually bloom from July to August. The flowers are strongly scented and are often used to scent hand creams, shampoos, and candles.

Freesia first appeared in the nursery trade in England in 1878. Although there is no record of how it appeared in England, it quickly spread to Europe and to America. It very quickly became a popular favorite everywhere it was introduced.

I first saw this plant in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. At the time it was not labeled, but I took pictures anyway! The scent was wonderful, and drew me back to other plants placed around the Conservatory, until I finally found one plant that was labeled and identified!