Jul 16, 2020
Everyone knows that they have a specific birthstone that is placed in jewelry and trinkets to signify the month they were born. However, many people don't know that just like the stones, each month has a flower or two as well, which symbolizes birth. Here, according to babiesonline.com, is the history and meaning behind your birth flowers, the larkspur and the water lily.
Larkspur
The Consolida and Delphinium, better known as the Larkspur include about 40 annual flowering plants that are native to Western Europe through the Mediterranean region and east to central Asia. The flowers are open and contain a single follicle of fruit, instead of a cluster.
The flower varies in size from 10cm to up to 2m in the meadowland species. Colors vary and can include purple, blue, red, yellow and white. The petals grow together forming a spur at the end and giving the flower its name, Larkspur. You will find the plant blooming starting in late spring and continuing through late summer, being pollinated by butterflies and bumble bees.
The Larkspur was called lark's heel by Shakespeare, and has also been referred to as lark's claw and knight's spur. The scientific name of Delphinium refers to the shape of the bud which is thought to look like a fat dolphin.
There are two species of Larkspur that are native to California and are considered to be endangered. These are the Baker's larkspur and the Yellow larkspur.
Larkspurs are generally considered garden plants. They are poisonous however and can cause death if eaten in large amounts. It is a significant cause of death in cattle ranges in higher elevations where it is more likely to be found. In small amounts however the Larkspur has been used in medicine. It is believed that a drink made from the seed could help the sting from a scorpion, and that putting it in your hair can help kill lice and nits.
Fun and interesting fact: Mixing the juice from the Larkspur seed with alum can create a blue ink. Because of the blue color it used to be used in Transylvania on the stables to ward away witches.
Water Lily
The Water Lily, also known as Nymphaeaceae or "water lily family", is a family of flowering plants and can be found throughout the world. The white water lily is the national flower of Bangladesh.
Like other flowers, the Water Lily is rooted in soil, however it grows and floats in bodies of water. The leaves and flowers are above the water, while the rest of the plant stays below the water. The leaves can vary, all being round, but some species containing notches, while others are perfectly shaped ovals.
Water Lilies are divided into two main groups, hardy and topical. The hardy group only blooms during the day, while the topical group blooms night and day and is the only group that contains blue flowers.
Water Lilies are temperamental and clearly the species are separate. Some species prefer warm air and are found in temperate and semi-tropical zones, some prefer the cold and are found only in northern Canada and Alaska. The fragrant Water Lily occurs from Puerto Rico to Alaska and from California to Quebec, but its many subspecies can be found floating in lakes and ponds throughout North America. The fragrant Water Lilies are generally white in color. Florida has a species all its own that is called the Yellow Water Lily.
Fun and interesting fact: The Water Lily seed can survive and be planted for up to 2000 years.
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