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Culture factsheet
Classical Mythology
The mythology of Greece and Rome is closely linked to the
scientific naming of plants but some of our common names are still
based on Roman and Greek Mythology.
Classical Mythology: the culture of Greece and Rome underpinned
many of the studies of the Renaissance and early modern science,
including botany, which is one of the reasons why many scientific
names are based on the works of classical authors and mythology.
Artemisia (mugwort and wormwoods) is called after the goddess
Artemis/Diana, who was apparently told of its medicinal qualities
by the centaur Chiron.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is named for the Greek hero
Achilles, and iris for the goddess of the rainbow. The tale of
Persephone and her abduction by Hades is associated with
several wild plants including the crocus, rose, violet, iris,
larkspur that she was collecting until lured away by the bright
daffodils of Hades. The nymph Cyane tries to stop Hades and is
turned into a spring and gives us the name cyan blue and the
scientific name for cornflower (Centaurea cyanus).
The myths of Hercules, Adonis, Jupiter, Venus, Poseidon and
also Odysseus are associated with wild plants. The tradition of
plants named in honour of Venus, the goddess of love, is
widespread in Europe and survives in Britain
with Venus hair fern (Adiantum capillusveneris) and Venus looking glass (Legousia
hybrida). Both vine and ivy leaves are
associated with Dionysus, god of wine and
ecstasy.
The Roman festival of Floralia was initiated around 240 BC in order that the
goddess Flora would protect the blossoms. It fell out of favour and was
resurrected as the Ludi Florales (Floral Games) in 173 BC because the
senate was concerned about damage to the flowers through wind and
hail. It was fixed in the Roman calendar by Julius Caesar from the 28th
April to the 3rd of May.
Mythology from other cultures: we hope to highlight any connections
between plants that grow wild in Britain and mythologies from other
countries. If you have any information on this subject please contact
us or contribute a fabric square that illustrates this.
References & Online Resources
Coates, A., 1956, Flowers and Their Histories.
Eland S., Plant Lives (online resource – www.plantlives.com)
Frazer, J.G., 1890, The Golden Bough
Friend, H, 1883, Flowers and Flower Lore
Plants and Flowers of Greek Mythology (online) (www.theoi.com/
Flora1.html)
Some of the plants associated with Classical Mythology
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) - Manna, the divine food was made from the
sap of ash; the spear made for Achilles by his father from Mount Pelian
Ash
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) - The bluebell is associated with
two Greek youths of mythology – Hyacinth who died beloved of Apollo;
Endymion who was placed in an eternal sleep by Zeus for the goddess
Selene
Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) - Named for the beautiful
maiden rescued from the sea monster by Perseus
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus/P. species) - Mercury
wore a hat made from its leaves, the petasos of
Greek shepherds
Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) - Named for the
centaur Chiron who was especially skilled in medicine
– he used this herb against the poisonous blood of the
Hydra
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) - The first part of the scientific name is linked to the
centaurs and Chiron, and the second part to the Sicilian nymph Cyane who was turned into
a pool of water trying to save Persephone
Crocus (Crocus species) - Named in honour of the dead youth Krokos beloved of Hermes
Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus & N. species) - The scientific name is linked to
the Metamorphosis story of Narcissus the beautiful youth who continually stared at his
reflection; it is also associated with Hades, god of the underworld, he is said to have
used the flower to entice Persephone away from her companions
Daisy (Bellis perennis) - Linked to Artemis
Elecampane (Inula helenium) —Linked with Helen of Troy who was said to use
it as a cosmetic
Elm (Ulmus species) - When Odysseus & the Argonauts entered the Garden of
Hesperides the nymphs turned themselves into elm, willow, and poplar
Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) - Named for the Greek
sorceress Circe who tried to bewitch Odysseus
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare/communis) - Prometheus was said to have
smuggled fire to earth in a stalk of fennel; the shaft of Dionysus’ staff or
thyrsus was made from a giant fennel stalk
Gentian (Gentiana species) - Named for King Gentius of Illyria who
was said to have discovered their medicinal properties
Greater Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) - Mercury gives Odysseus mullein
to protect him from Circe’s enchantments; also known as Jupiter’s staff
Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) - The dead in Hades were crowned with
henbane as they wandered the shores of the Styx
Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) - Known as Jupiter’s eye,
associated with Jupiter and other thunder gods in Europe & with
protection from lightning strikes
Iris (Iris species) - Named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow,
messenger and goddess of the sea and sky
Ivy (Hedera
helix) - Ivy was sacred to the god of wine and ecstasy,
Dionysus, wreaths of ivy were used to celebrate his
rites and to encircle the thyrsus staffs
Larkspur (Delphinium ajacis) - Two legends – one is
that Apollo caused this plant to grow from the blood
of the dead youth Hyakinthos; or that it grew from
the blood of the hero Ajax after he threw himself
on his sword
Mistletoe (Viscum album) - Sometimes associated with Hercules
Monk’s Hood (Aconitum napellus) - The spittle from the three headed dog Cerberus
when he was dragged up from the underworld by Hercules turned into this poison
plant
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) - Named for the Greek goddess Artemis, the virgin
huntress (Diana in Roman myth) – she was taught the medicinal power of the plant by
Chiron, the centaur
Oak (Quercus species) - Sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Jove; the Golden Fleece was
nailed to an oak tree
Orchids (Orchis species) - The old scientific name for the orchids was Satyrion –
it was supposed to be the food for the Satyrs and to feed their sexual excesses
Pheasant’s Eye (Adonis annua) - Named by early modern botanists because
its blood red petals were associated with the myth of Adonis, the beautiful
youth who died and was reborn & celebrated in Adonis rites and gardens in
Mesopotamia & Greece
Pine (Pinus species) - Sacred to Poseidon, god of the sea, pine wreaths
were given to victors at the Isthmian Games; the top of Dionysus’ staff or
thyrsus was a pine cone
Plane tree (Platanus species) - Associated with Helen of Troy, she was
said to have hanged herself or have died on a plane tree, and to have had
a sacred plane tree
Poplar (Populus species) - Persephone had a sacred grove of willow and
black poplar at the entrance to the underworld; the nymphs of the
Garden of Hesperides turned themselves into elm, poplar and willow
when Odysseus entered
Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) - Demeter created this flower from the blood
of the dead youth Mekon
Red campion (Silene dioica) - Named for the drunken Greek god
Silenus
Red Valerian (Centrathus rubber) - Known as Jupiter’s Beard
Rose (Rosa species) - Associated with Venus, goddess
of love
Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) - Pan’s pipes were
supposed to be made of the stalks of sweet flag
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) - Sacred to
Artemis
Teasel (Dipsacus species) - Sometimes called Venus’ basin because water collects in the
seed head
Venus hair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) - Supposed to look like Venus’ hair
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) - known as Juno’s tears; Mercury’s Moist Blood. A
powerful herd, verbena became a general word for ‘altar plants’; used to sweep
Jupiter’s table in the Capitol temple & to drive out evil from the home
Violet (Viola odorata) - Io was changed into a heifer by Jupiter to hide her from
Juno & violets were her food; symbol of Athens; one of the flowers collected by
Persephone & associated with the Roman goddess Flora and the Floralia (Ludi
Florales); Iamos the son of Apollo was left by his mother on a bed of violets in the
Arcadian Fields to be fed honey by serpents
Walnut (Juglans regia) - Known as Jupiter’s Nut; sacred to Artemis
Willow & Osiers (Salix species) - Persephone had a sacred grove of willow
and black poplar at the entrance to the underworld; the nymphs of the
Garden of Hesperides turned themselves into elm, poplar and willow when
Odysseus entered; sacred to Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - Its scientific name comes from its
association with the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to use it to cure his
soldiers’ wounds; also known as Venus tree
EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY
Ivy (Hedea helix) - Linked to the god Osiris because it was evergreen;
linked to the god Attis and his priests were tattooed with ivy leaves
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