Britain's Wild Flowers: A Treasury of Traditions, Superstitions, Remedies and Literature

by Rosamond Richardson-Gerson

A fascinating look at the myths, folklore and botany behind over 70 British wildflowers.

From hedgerows to meadows, wildflowers can be found throughout our green and pleasant land. In this book, journalist and garden writer Rosamond Richardson traces the history and myths behind each flower to discover the fascinating ways in which the plants were used. Discover which flower used as a medieval lie-detector to test the innocence of suspected criminals, or stuffed in the shoes of Roman centurions to prevent damage to their feet as they marched. From periwinkles, beloved of Chaucer, and the oxlips and ‘nodding violet’ growing in the forest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the book celebrates the important role wildflowers have played in literature, as well as their uses in food and medicine, and the history, myths and tales behind each species. The nineteenth-century poet John Clare wrote, ‘I love wildflowers (none are weeds with me)'. This book is a celebration of the bountiful history behind Britain’s beloved wildflowers and is perfect for anyone with an interest in gardening, history or the natural world.

Genres: Plants, Nonfiction, Nature, Gardening

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2017

Reviews

[Tyks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautiful and informative!

[Chris Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only a beautiful book to hold; not too large, compact and beautifully organised, but it is also a goldmine of detail so that even a reader already very familiar with the lore of the land, will learn much, and enjoy doing so.

It is indeed a 'treasury,' referring to history, folklore, literature and medicinal use, alongside simple, accurate and pleasing illustrations. This is a book that I will come back to again and again.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful! I love it so much! It is a fantastic book for research for my own short stories and poetry. It is wonderful to learn about British botanical folklore.

If you like Wildflowers and British folklore then this book is perfect. It has an medium sized, slightly unusual format, but good quality hardback, and good quality paper is used. Despite being well versed in wildflowers I learned about flowers I had not yet heard of, e.g. Milkwort and Coltsfoot. The size and price are perfect as a present (Xmas or otherwise) for those who find beauty in nature, or for gardeners, twiddling their thumbs in the cold winter. I like the fact that instead of photos there are wonderful illustrations in the old botanical style.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this book with lovely illustrations and different coloured pages. The facts on the use of wild plants. Not overly detailed but enough to make it an enjoyable and informative read.
Certainly another for my collection.

[Jorge Guitián Castromil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonito, pero sin demasiada información práctica si eres aficionado (aunque sea a un nivel básico, como yo) a la recolección e identificación de plantas silvestres.

[Beans beans beans beans beans beans beans beans beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute, not suitable to use as an ID guide but very interesting reading and highly recomended

[Nicky By Nature]

Great little book with interesting snippets. Not an identification book but, nevertheless, I've filed it as 'reference' as it'll be used to refer back to time and time again. Being a moth fanatic, I particularly like the references to moths in relation to wild flowers as food plants. Well worth the read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated, this alphabetical guide to the wild flowers of Great Britain contains all sorts of recommendations, remedies, and superstitions associated with each flower ... also included are various poetic references, mainly Shakespearean ...