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Personality of plants

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PERSONALITY OF PLANTS<br />

degree which are either named after her or<br />

thought to be under her influence.<br />

Orchids are called "Our Lady's Slipper."<br />

Maiden-Hair is "Virgin's Hair." The Thyme,<br />

Woodro<strong>of</strong> and Groundsel <strong>plants</strong> are reputed to<br />

have formed the Virgin's bed. Among fruits<br />

the Strawberry and the Molluka Bean have<br />

been set aside for her worship.<br />

The "Rose <strong>of</strong> Jericho" is made famous by the<br />

Bible. Popular tradition states that it first blossomed<br />

at Christ's birth, closed at His crucifixion<br />

and reopened at His resurrection. The<br />

legend <strong>of</strong> the rose-coloured Sainfoin is especially<br />

interesting. One <strong>of</strong> the flowers happened<br />

to be among the grasses and herbs lodged in the<br />

manger <strong>of</strong> the Christ child. At the presence<br />

<strong>of</strong> that holy form, it suddenly opened its<br />

blossoms to form a wreath for His head.<br />

A more gruesome tale relates that the Wood-<br />

Sorrel, Spotted Persicaria, Arum, Purple Or-<br />

chis and Red Anemone owe their dark-stained<br />

blossoms to the blood which trickled from the<br />

Cross.<br />

Among the many theories regarding the ident-<br />

ity <strong>of</strong> the wood <strong>of</strong> the Cross, the one about the<br />

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