Antirrhinum

 

Antirrhinum

In a pot in the front garden an antirrhinum has been bravely blooming for several weeks, withstanding wind, rain and frost. Antirrhinums or snapdragons normally flower between June and October.

 The snapdragon is a favourite flower for children who like to squeeze the throat of the bloom to open the mouth. Some cultures hold that opening the snapdragon’s mouth allows it to whisper secrets and wisdom. I always knew the flower as bunny mouth and remember the pleasure of playing with it.

 

A to Z challenge 2023 – B is for . . .

 

A to Z challenge 2023 – B is for . . .

My theme for this challenge is Nature in all much of her wonderful diversity. My posts will reflect the fact that I am resident in the south of England.

All photographs in this post are the property of the writer.

I grow herbs for culinary purposes, but my main purpose is to allow them to flower. The masses of tiny flowers attract bees and other pollinators.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) in flower

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

                          Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) in flower

Chives with visiting honey bee

Basil (Ocimum)

A pot of Basil (Ocimum) in the house scents the air and lifts the spirits, though it was a spirit of a different kind that inspired John Keats’ 1818 poem, ‘Isabella, or the Pot of Basil’.  It would have to have been a very strongly aromatic variety of basil to overcome the stench of a decomposing head.

Basil is not a hardy plant, but will grow outdoors in what passes for summer in England. It requires sun, shelter and water. It can also be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill.

 It is reputed to be an excellent companion plant for tomatoes because its strong smell repels pests like aphids and spider mites and also deters caterpillars. Slugs and snails are attracted to the soft leaves, so growing it in a container rather than in the soil can reduce the risk of it being destroyed.

 If it is grown in a planter, it will need regular watering, but doesn’t like to sit in water as the roots might rot.

Flowering reduces the quality of the leaves but provides pretty white or purple flowers, beloved of bees and other nectar-gathering insects.

My second B is for Blueberry  (Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus)

We have a productive blueberry bush in our garden. 

                    Its tubular flowers attract bees . . .                      

  . . . and many birds (and squirrels, mice and rats) enjoy the fruit that follows. The autumn foliage is bright and colourful, particularly on a drizzly, dank day.

Ready to be picked

Sweet, juicy berries to be enjoyed on their own, or with yoghourt, or with porridge 

Blueberries are rich in vitamin C, low in sugar and are a good source of fibre. Alongside several ‘may’ statements (may help prevent heart disease, may help maintain eye health, may alleviate UTIs, et cetera) there is a rider. Blueberries, like some other fruits, such as apples, peaches and raspberries, contain chemicals called salicylates, to which some people are sensitive and which may cause (there’s that ‘may’ again) allergic reactions, including skin rash or swelling. 

As ever, common sense is the great protector – if in doubt, don’t!

Salicylates are natural chemicals produced by plants to protect themselves against disease and insects. Extracts from salicylates have been used for thousands of years in medicine. The most common is salicylic acid, known to most of us as aspirin.

My final B is for Bunny mouth (Antirrhinum majus)

A flower that reminds me of childhood is the bunny mouth. I never tired of squeezing the sides of the flower to make the little mouth open. Some people know these flowers as snapdragons or dragon flowers but their 'official' name is Antirrhinum majus. They have also been called lion’s-mouth, bonny rabbits, calf-snout, toad’s mouth, bulldogs and lions’-snap.

They are native to rocky areas of the Mediterranean, the United States and North Africa. 

Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) first noticed snapdragons at his home in Shadwell in 1767 and subsequently grew the seeds and recorded their growth.

Primarily grown for cutting, edible oils have been extracted from the seeds and used like butter in Russia. The leaves and flowers are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties and have been used in poultices for ulcers. The flowers are edible and make a colourful addition to salads or desserts.

 

In German folklore, a bunch of antirrhinums would be hung near a baby, believing that it would grow up unafraid of evil spirits. This reflects the belief among Romans and Greeks that the plant would protect them from witchcraft.

For the Victorians, a bouquet of antirrhinums was an indication of a forthcoming proposal. To further the chances of this happening, a snapdragon hidden in the clothing was thought to make a person fascinating and alluring. Perhaps they were hedging their bets when, in the Language of Flowers, they decided that snapdragons meant either deception or graciousness, a case of ‘You pays your money and takes your choice.’