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Composite Painting by Diana Aitchison              Key (See below)
Photo by Ed Krantell


Plants of the Virgin Mary


(Reprinted from leaflet produced by The Flower Arranger, London,
1984)

 	Over the centuries, and throughout Christendom, certain
plants have been associated with The Virgin Mary. Some traditions
have a very long history, whilst others - such as those emanating
from the New World - are of comparatively recent origin.

	After the Reformation in England, references to The
Blessed Virgin and Our Lady were sternly discouraged, so Mary's
plants were given less provocative names and became Lady's Smock,
Lady's Mantle, Maiden Pink and so on.

	To make sure that the legends linking the Mother of Christ
with growing things are not forgotten and lost to posterity, part
of the Cloister Garden of Lincoln's Cathedral Church of the
Blessed Virgin Mary has been set aside for her plants.  For
reasons of space, rarity, or adverse conditions, it is not
feasible to cultivate them all, and in some cases the original
plant is represented by one as nearly related as possible.


                              Key

 1. Our Lady's Ribbons,	Phalaris arundinacca picta, Ribbon Grass.
 2. Our Lady's Thimble, Campanula rotundifolia, Harcbell.
 3. Our Lady's Bedstraw, Galium verum, Yellow Bedstraw.
 4. Our Lady's Lace, Asperula odorata, Sweet Woodruff.
 5. Our Lady's Keys, Primula veris, Cowslips.
 6. Our Lady's Gloves, Digitalis purpurea, Foxglove.
 7. Our Lady's Fingers, Anthyllis vulneraria, Kidney vetch.
 8. Our Lady's Thumb, Polygonum persicaria, Lady's Thumb.
 9 .Our Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla vulgaris, Lady's Mantle.
10. Our Lady's Shoes and Stockings, Lotus corniculatus, Bird's Foot Trefoil.
II. Our Lady's Bower, Clematis vitalba, Traveller's Joy.
12, Our Lady's Taper or Candle,Verbascum thapsus, Giant Mullein.
13. Our Lady's Earrings, Fuchsia sp., Fuchsia.
14. Madonna Lily or Annunciaton Lily, Lilium candidum, Madonna Lily.
l5. Our Lady's Hair, Adiantum capelis-veneris, Maiden's Hair.
16. Our Lady's Hair, Briza media, Quaking Grass.
17. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, (Our Lady's veil legend).
18. Mystic Rose, Rosa sp., Rose.
19. Our Lady's Tears, Convalaria majalis, Lily-of-the-valley.
20. Our Lady's Seal, Polygonatum multiflorum, Solomon's Seal.
21. Our Lady's Milk Drops, Silybum Marianum, Milk Thistle.
22. Herb of the Madonna, Chrysanthemum balsaminum, Costmary.
23. Holy Hay, Onobrychis viciaefolia, Sainfoin.
24. Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger, Christmas Rose.
25. Star of Bethlehem, Ornigthogalum umbellatum, Star of Bethlehem.
26. Candlemas Bells, Galanthus nivalis, Snowdrops.
27. Mary and Joseph, Pulmonaria officinalis, Lungwort. 
28. Mary's Gold, Calendula officinalis, Pot Marigold.
29. (Flight into Egypt legend, Juniperus oxyced, Juniper.
30. Our Lady's Pincushion; Armeria maritima, Sea-pink or thrift.
31. Maiden Pink, Dianthus deltoides, Gilly-flower.
32. Our Lady's Eyes,  Myosotis palustris, Forget-me-not.
33. Our Lady's Needlework, Saxafraga umbrosa, London Pride.
34. Our Lady's Modesty, Viola odorata, Violet.
35. The Virgin's Flower, Vinca minor, Periwinkle.
36. The Herb of the Madonna, Cymbalaria muralis, Ivy Leafed Toadflax.
37. Our Lady's Slipper, Cypripedium calceolus, a rare native orchid.
38. Our Lady's Stock, Cardamine pratensis, Cuckoo Flower.


The Cloister Garden at Lincoln Cathedral, which contains
much of the information in rather more detail, was the inspiration
for this leaflet, by very kind permission of The Dean and Chapter.



Reprinted with permission