Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Amaryllis Amaryllis Beautiful Lady belladonna Amaryllis Hippeastrum hybr. St. Joseph's Lily Anemone, double- Anemone St. Brigid flowered coronaria Aster Aster nova-belgii Michaelmas Daisy (September) Baby's Breath Gypsophila Lady's Veil panicul. Bachelor's Buttons Centauria cyannis Mary's Crown Bean caper plant Zygophyllum ? Found on Shroud of Turin. See footnote for more information on dumosum the flowers of the Holy Shroud. Begonia Begonia Heart of Jesus fuchsioides Begonia Begonia fuch. Heart of Mary rosea Bellflower Adenophera Lady Bell Bird of Paradise Streliztia reginae Bird of Paradise Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Golden Jerusalem Bleeding Heart Dicentra Mary's Heart spectabilis Blue Phlox Phlox divaricata Lady's Wedding Bluets Houstonia caerul. Madonna's Eyes Bougainvillea Bougainvillea gen. Trinitaria Buttercup Ranunculus acris Lady's Locks Buttercup Ranunculus sp. Our Lady's Bowl Camelia Camellia (japonica) (Purity) Calla Lily Zantedeshia St. Joseph's Staff aethiop. Canna Canna generalis Rosary Beads Canterbury Bells Campanula Our Lady's Nightcap, Mary Bells, Our Lady's Smock medium Caper, Caper Capparis spinosa Found on Shroud of Turin. See footnote for more information on bushes (var. aegyptia) the flowers of the Holy Shroud. Carnation Dianthus Mary's Love of God. These flowers are said to have bloomed at caryophyllus Christ's Nativity, according to a German legend. (January) Castilian roses Rosa damascena These are the variety that St. Juan Diego found after the vision of (Damascus Roses or Our Lady at Guadalupe. Damask Rose) Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum All Saints' Flower. Chrysanthemums in general are associated (mum) with death and are used and funerals and to adorn graves (Chrysanthemum coronarium is believed by scientists to have been present when Christ was laid in the tomb. Clematis Clematis virginiana Virgin's Bower Clematis Clematis (flammula) Cross

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Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Columbine Aquilegua vulgaris Our Lady's Shoes, Lady's Slipper. Said to have sprung up under Our Lady's feet as she went to visit Elizabeth. The dove-shaped petals of this flower invited -- and invites -- its use for decoration on the Feast of the Pentecost. Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum Mary's Gold (November) segetum Cosmos Cosmos sp. St. Michael's Flower (September) Costmary Chrysanthemum Mary's Leaf bals. Cowslip Primula veris Lady's Keys Crocus Crocus vernus Penitent's Rose Cross Vine Bignonia Cross Vine capreolata Crown Daisy Chrysanthemum "Crown Daisy" is appropriate: this flower shows up on the Shroud coronarium of Turin. Daffodil Narcissus pseudo- Mary's Star narc. Dahlia Dahlia (hybrids) Churchyard Flower Day Lily Hemerocallis flava St. Joseph's Lily Dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia sao St. Anthony Dieffenbachia ant. Dog Rose Rosa canina Mary's Thorn Edelweiss Leontopodium alp. Purity Easter Lily Lilium longiflorum Easter Lily English Daisy Bellis perennis Mary-Love English Holly Ilex aquifolium Burning Bush Evening Primose Oenothera biennia Easter Candle Fern Asplenium ruta-mur. Lady's Hair Field Bindweed Convolvulus This lovely flowering plant -- closely related to, resembling, and arvensis sometimes called the same name as the Morning Glory -- is pervasive once planted and, so, is generally considered a weed. Its old common name according to the Grimm's short tale of the same name is "Our Lady's Little Glass." The story in its entirety: "Once upon a time a waggoner's cart which was heavily laden with wine had stuck so fast that in spite of all that he could do, he could not get it to move again. Then it chanced that Our Lady just happened to come by that way, and when she perceived the poor man's distress, she said to him, 'I am tired and thirsty, give me a glass of wine, and I will set thy cart free for thee.' 'Willingly,' answered the waggoner, 'but I have no glass in which I can give thee the wine.' Then Our Lady plucked a little white flower with red stripes, called field bindweed, which looks very like a glass, and gave it to the waggoner. He filled it with wine, and then Our Lady drank it, and in the self-same instant the cart was set free, and the waggoner could drive onwards. The little flower is still always called Our Lady's Little Glass."

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Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Forget-me-not Myostis Eyes of Mary scorpoides, Myostis sylvatica Forsythia Forsythia Easter Bush suspensa Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Our Lady's Gloves Fuchsia Fuchsia speciosa Christ's Blood Drops or Our Lady's Eardrops Geranium Pelargonium (dom) Lady Beautiful Geranium Pelargonium sp. Heart of Jesus, Gentle Virgin German Iris lris germanica Mary's Sword of Sorrow Gladiolus Gladiolus sp. Twelve Apostles, Ladder to Heaven Golden Rod Solidago canad. Lady's Plant Grape Hyacinth Muscari (gen) St. Joseph's Bells Grape Hyacinth Muscari botryoides Church Steeples Ground Ivy Nepeta hederacea Madonna's Herb Hawthorn Crataegus Mary's Mayflower (May) monogyna Hawthorn Crataegus Mary's Berry (May). The Crataegus Oxyacantha praecox variety is oxyacana the plant of England's "Glastonbury Thorn" -- a plant of Mediterranean origin but which, in Somerset, blooms twice: at Easter and at Christmas. It, therefore, has become a symbol of Christmas. The Glastonbury Thorn is said to have arisen when St. Joseph of Arimathea thrust his hawthorn staff into the ground in Somersetshire. The original plant was destroyed by Puritans (the soldier who did the chopping is said to have been struck in the eye by a large splinter from the tree), but shoots from it were taken, and England's Glastonbury Thorn lives. Since 1929, blossoms from the Glastonbury Thorn are sent to England's Monarchs for their table on Christmas Day. Heather Calluna vulgaris Lady's Adversary Holly (Christmas Ilex opaca. var. Christmas Holly (December) Holly) Holly (English Holly) Ilex aquifolium Burning Bush Hollyhock Althea rosea St. Joseph's Staff Honeysuckle Lonicera caprifol., Lady's Fingers (June) Lonicera (japonica) Honeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum Lady's Stick (June) Hosta (Plantain Lily) Hosta plantaginea Assumption Lily Hyacinth Hyacinthus Lily-Among-Thorns, Lily-of-Valley oriental. Hydranga var. Hydranga macro. Ave Maria mar. Impatiens Impatiens Our Lady's Earrings, or Mother Love Wallerana Ivy Hedera helix Where God has Walked

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Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Jasmine Jasminum Mary officinale Job's Tears Coix lachryma-jobi Job's Tears (Job 16:20). The seeds of this plant are often used for Rosary beads. Jonquil Narcissus jonquilla St. Joseph's Staff (December) Judas Tree Cercis siliquastrum Said to be the tree upon which Judas hanged himself after betraying Our Lord. It is a beautiful tree, with lovely pink flowers in the Spring. Larkspur Delphinium ajacis, Mary's Tears (July) Delphinum (grandif.) Lavender Lavendula (offic.) Flight into Egypt Lilac Syringa vulgaris Ascension Flower Lily-of-the-Valley Convallaria majalis Our Lady's Tears. These flowers are said to have blossomed from Mary's tears for her Son as she stood at the foot of the Cross. (May) Lungwort Pulmonaria Mary's Milkdrops, Our Lady's Milk Herb, The Virgin Mary's Tears officinalis Madonna Lily Lilium candidum Annunciation Lily, Virgin Lily or Mary's Lily Note: The Venerable Bede (A.D. 672-735) described the white petals as symbols of Mary's body, and the golden anthers as symbols of the glory of her soul. Roses and lilies were said to have filled Mary's empty tomb when it was opened by the Apostles. While lilies' association with purity cause them to be depicted with many Saints, such as SS. Francis and Claire, they are most strongly associated with St. Joseph, whose rod is said, in the Gospel of the Nativity of Mary, to have blossomed to prove he was worthy to guard Mary and become her spouse; with St. Anthony of Padua, because lilies left in chuches on his Feast Day miraculously remained fresh during the French Revolution; and with the archangel Gabriel, who is depicted as presenting Mary with the lily at the Annunciation (hence the name "Annunciation Lily"). Lilies are also associated with Solomon's Temple (III Kings 7:19-22), and their beauty is commented on by Christ Himself (Luke 12:27). Maltese Cross Lychnis "Maltese Cross" (or "Jerusalem Cross"). The shape of these chalcedonica flowers' petals strongly evokes the Maltese Cross, and they are said to have been introduced into Europe, from Russia and Siberia, by the crusading Knights of Malta. Marigold Calendula officin. Mary's Gold (October) Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmar. Our Lady's Belt Millfoil Achillea millefolia Christ's Back, Our Lord's Back Mistletoe Viscum album Cross Moonflower Calonyction acul. Lady-of-Night Morning Glory Ipomoea purpurea Our Lady's Mantle (September) Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus St. Joseph's Flower Orchid Orchis purpurea Lady Orchis Orchid Brassavola nodosa Lady-of-Night Orchid Orchis maculata Gethsemani Oriental Poppy Papaver orientale Christ's Blood, Crucifixion Blood-Drops (August)

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Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Ox-Eye Daisy Chrysanthemum Mary's Star. The legend told is that the Magi followed the star to leucanthemum Bethlehem but weren't sure where to go once there. King Melchior then saw the ox-eye daisy growing, which looked very much like the star they'd followed. He picked it, and the door to the stable opened revealing the Holy Family. Pansy Viola tricolor Trinity Flower, Our Lady's Delight Passion Flower Passiflora Passion Flower, whose 5 stamens symbolize the Five Wounds of Christ; the outer fringe, the crown of thorns; and stigmas, the nails. Periwinkle Vinca rosea Virgin Flower Petunia Petunia hybr. Lady's Praise Peony Paeonia officinalis Pentecost Rose Pink Dianthus (gen) Mary's Pink Poet's Narcissus Narcissus poeticus Lady's Rose Poinsettia Euphorbia Nativity Flower, Christmas Star pulcherima Pot Marigold Calendula officinalis Mary's Gold Primrose Primula elatior Mary's Candlestick (February) Primrose Primula vulgaris Lady's Frills (February) Quaking Grass Briza Lady's Tresses, Our Lady's Braids Rose Rosa White: Mary's Purity Red: Mary's Sorrow and the Blood of Christ. Also martyrdom. Gold: Mary's Glory Red and White: Visitation Note: The Rose symbolizes Mary herself (she is known as "The Mystical Rose," see Litany of Loreto ) and is described in Dante's Paradiso when the guide asks him to contemplate Mary, "Why are you so enamored of my face that you do not turn your gaze to the beautiful garden which blossoms under the radiance of Christ? There is the Rose in which the Divine word became flesh: here are the lilies whose perfume guides you in the right ways." Roses and lilies were said to have filled Mary's empty tomb when it was opened by the Apostles. Roses are also associated with SS. Dorothy and Thérèse of Lisieux (who both send roses from Heaven), Elizabeth of Hungary, and Rose of Lima. St. Francis once threw himself on the thorns of a rosebush as penance. Since then, the rosebushes in that garden (near the cloister of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi) have no thorns. See also the entry for Castilian Roses. (June) Rock Rose Cistus (landanif.) Rose of Sharon Rock Rose Cistus creticus Shows up on Shroud of Turin. Rose of Jericho Selaginella This desert plant survives in a curled up, dormant, brown, dessicated lepidophylla state for years, and then opens up and turns green with a bit of water. and After returning to a lovely green, it goes dormant again when its water Anastatica source is removed. Because of this fascinating property, it is often kept dormant in the home and brought out at Christmas time to blossom and hierochuntica then close in order to symbolize the opening and closing of Mary's womb. The plant is also known as the Resurrection Plant, Siempre Viva ("Everlasting"), and Dinosaur Plant.

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Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon Scabiosa Scabiosa columbaria Mary's Pincushion Scotch Thistle Onopardon Judas' Cloak acanthium Sea Pink Armeria maritima Our Lady's Cushion. These flowers are said to have made a place for Mary to sit during the Flight into Egypt. Shamrock Trifolium dubium A symbol of St. Patrick and his evangelization of Ireland, and of Ireland itself -- but St. Patrick used it as a symbol of the Trinity, with each leaf representing a Divine Person while the plant remains one plant. Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus Infant Jesus' Shoes Snowdrop Galanthus nivalus "Candlemas Bells" or "Purification Flowers." These flowers are said to have bloomed on Candlemas, when Mary took Jesus to the Temple for His "redemption." (January) Spanish Moss Mentha requienii Mother-of-Thousands Spiderwort Tradescantia Wandering Jew. The name for this plant -- often used as a houseplant -- zebrina (Zebrina derives from an old legend about a Jew who mocked and hit Christ during pendula) His Passion and so was condemned by Him to wander the earth until the Last Judgment. Two other species of this plant are also known by this name: Tradescantia fluminensis and Tradescantia pallida (Setcreasea purpurea, Purple Heart). Star-of-Bethlehem Ornithogalum symbol of the star that led the Magi to Christ umbellatum Stock Mathiola incana Our Lady's Violet Strawberry Frageria vesca Fruitful Virgin Summor Phlox Phlox paniculata Christ's-Cross Flower Sunflower Helianthus annus Mary's Gold Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima Blessed by Mary, Mary's Little Cross Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus Our Lady's Flower (April) Sweet Pea Lathyrus pratensis Mary's Foot (April) Sweet William Dianthus barbatus Lady Tuft Tournefort's gundelia Gundelia tournefortii Found on Shroud of Turin. Tuberose Polianthes tuberosa St. Joseph's Staff Tulip Tulipa gesneriana Mary's Prayer Violet Viola odorata Our Lady's Modesty (March) Water Lily Nymphaea alba Lady-of-the-Lake (July) Winter Rose (Snow Helleborus niger Christmas Rose, or Lent Rose. A German Christmas symbol. Rose) Wisteria Wisteria frutescen Virgin's Bower Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa Candlemas Caps, Lady's Nightcap Yellow Flag Iris Iris pseudocorus Fleur-de-lis of French royalty, Mary as Queen, the Immaculate Conception Yucca Yucca treculeana St. John's Palm Zinnia Zinia elegans The Virgin, Church Flower Zinnia Zinnia multiflora Little Mary, The Virgin

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Herbs Common Name Scientific Name Medieval Name and/or Religious Meaning Parsley Petrosolenium crisp. Our Lady's Little Vine Sage Salvia officinalis Mary's Shawl Rosemary Rosmarinus officin. Mary's Nosegay Thyme Thymus vulgaris The Virgin's Humility Chives Allium schoenopras Our Lady's Garleek Tarragon Artemisia Its botanical name means "Little Dragon" and evokes St. Martha's dracunculus slaying of the dragon known as La Tarasque Dill Anethium graveolens Devil-Away Coriander Coriandrum sativum St. John's Head Sweet Bay Laurus nobilis St. Bridget's Flower Basil Ocimum basilicum Holy Communion Plant. Pots of basil are used to decorate homes and to give away as gifts on St. Anthony of Padua's Day. Marjoram Origanum vulgare Mary's Bedstraw Cumin Cummin cyanum Cross-Cummin Fennel Foenlculum vulgare Our Lady's Fennel Anise Pimpinella anisum Our Lady's Sprig, Lady's Tobacco Spearmint Mentha spicata Mary's Mint Chicory Cichorlum intybus Heavenly Way Horehound Marrubium vulgare Mother-of-God's Tea, Mary's Nettle Sassafras Sassafras (albidum) Virgin's Tree Hyssop (Syrian Origanum It has importance in the Passover, Psalms and Passion. The variety of Oregano) syriacum hyssop properly called Hyssopos officinal , and known as St. Joseph's Plant in the Middle Ages, is not the variety spoken of in the Bible and at the Mass. The Biblical plant is Origanum maru . Rue Ruta graveolens Rue was once used by priests to sprinkle holy water. Ophelia, in Hamlet, calls the herb "grace o' Sundays" in the scene in which she hads out flowers. It is a symbol of repentance and regret, the word itself having come to mean "regret" ("you'll rue the day you do that!"). Catnip Nepeta cataria Mary's Nettle Feverfew Chrysanthemum Mary's Flower parth. Feverfew Parthenium hystero. Santa Maria Chamomile Anthemus cotula Maiden Weed Chamomile Matricaria chamom. Lady's Flower St. John's Wort Hypericum St. John's Wort, Fuga Daemon ("Devil's Flight"), John's Blood, perforatm Jesus' Blood Drops, Christ's Sweat, Mary's Glory Spikenard (or Nardostachys The portion of the plant just above the roots has a patchouli-like scent "Nard") grandiflora or which was used by Mary Magdalen in the ointment she used to annoint jatamansi) Christ. Dandelion Taraxicum officin Mary's Bitter Sorrow Valerian Valeriana officin. Lady's Needlework Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium Lady's Flavoring

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