The Flower Hour #44 M, N, O — Quaint Quadrilles

Wild and Free

Soft grass bends beneath our feet.
Milkweed smells so cool and sweet.
Thistles form like little drums.
Bees fly past with gentle hums.

Trees stretch high to catch the sun.
Silver brooks gurgle and run.
Asters wear their sapphire ring.
Bumblebees begin to sing.

Petals brush our wandering knees.
Oxeyes flutter in the breeze.
We are wild and we are free, 
Lost in floral mystery.

Come take a pastoral walk on the “wild” side with me…

Fun fact:  Pioneer women believed its silk to be much warmer than wool so it was harvested to line their babies’ cradles.

Fun Fact:  Whereas Gypsies consider their presence unlucky, Witches believe they bring good luck when hung in doorways.

Fun Fact:  This beauty is said to afford safe passage to travelers who wear a sprig in their lapels.

Witches use Mullein in philtres and spells to avoid detection and use lighted spears of Mullein as torches to guide the way to their midnight forest rendezvous.

Fun Fact:  Nodding Beggar-ticks are considered “accidentally carnivorous” protocarnivorous plants because they trap and kill insects they never actually eat.

Fun Fact:  Gypsies (even a superstitious cross-section of RVers) hang posies of Blue Flags in the eaves of their caravans to protect their wagons from damage and danger.

Fun Fact:  Are you superstitious?  Throwing a thistle into the campfire keeps lightning away from your tent.

Fun Fact:  Native and Indigenous peoples have used this Aster medicinally for centuries, most notably to revive those unconscious or who have fainted.  Also, the smoke from burning its leaves is said to drive away snakes.

Fun Fact:  Making daisy chains for young’uns was common in the Victorian era when it was believed that wearing daisy chains protected children from abduction by naughty faeries and pixies.

Fun Fact:  Obedient Plant is a Bumblebee trap.  Large bumblebees love the nectar inside its tubular flowers but, when they climb inside, the flower opening temporary traps them. Then the poor bee must wiggle and wriggle violently to escape.

Fun Fact:  Besides using its bright yellow root for dyes, Indigenous groups believe that placing three of its branches in a doorway keeps enemies away.

Fun Fact:  The native, red, species of Monarda became known as Oswego Tea because the Oswego used its leaves to brew a hot, aromatic herbal beverage. The Oswegatchie people are an Indigenous nation of the Iroquois Confederacy in upstate New York and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in Ontario.

Thanks to Terri for another prompt to spread flower joy all over the internet.  She has three corkers in her post this week and one of her observations will definitely make you giggle — especially if you’re into naked ladies…  Please check out her blog post, you’ll be oh-so-happy you did, promise:

The Flower Hour #44 Floral ABCs Focusing on the Letters M, N, & O

Til next time, y’all…