Iris was also known to be the messenger of Zeus and Hera and used to take messages from "the eye of Heaven" to earth through the curve of the rainbow. Dry summers. Mythology : Metamorphosis Daphne. Species : Iris attica, I. pallida Harvested corms can be stored in winter and planted in March. She then used the same to revive her own dead brother. Zephyros grew jealous and one day when Apollon was playing quoits with the boy he caught up the disc with his windy breath and struck him in the head. Description : A small deciduous tree growing 4 to 9 metres tall. Description : A tree of southern Arabia whose aromatic gum was imported into Greece as an incense for use in religious ceremonies. The hero Damasen killed the beast, but afterwards, as Moria was watching, its mate appeared and restored it to life with a magical herb. The tree was also prized for its wood. The witch Medea was skilled in the use of magical herbs. Sacred to : Hera (assoc. Mythology : Fire of Prometheus. The spear of Akhilleus, the great hero of the Trojan War, was crafted by the centaur Kheiron for his father Peleus from an ash growing on Mount Pelion. Species : Malus domestica (Source: Ovid) Myth 4 : Hamadryas Ampelos. They were so dedicated to the beauty and heritage of their floristry that many Greek Period floral traditions exist today. In ancient Greece and Rome many crowns were made of wool and foliage such as myrtle and ivy leaves, and were adorned with different flowers, which held various associations through time. Species : Vitex agnus castus Aphrodite, Hera and Athene all laid claim to the prize. Myth 1 : Metamorphosis Krokos. A Persian princess who was loved by the sun-god Helios. The seer (mantis), an expert in the art of divination, operated in ancient Greek society through a combination of charismatic inspiration and diverse skills ranging from examining the livers of sacrificed animals to spirit possession.Unlike the palm readers and mediums who exist on the fringe of modern society, many seers were highly paid, well respected, educated members of … You will find below a list of varieties of flora in Greece but also information about the flora in Greek mythology. Sacred to : Zeus (manna juice), Kouretes & Ares (ash-spears) Species : Hedera helix Prunus amygdalus. (Source: Apollodorus, Hyginus) The name of the flower known as ‘iris’ is derived from Iris, messenger of the gods. Myth 1 : Metamorphosis Kyparissos. The Meliai were also the ancestresses of mankind. The plant has tall stalks with elongated leaves, yellow flowers and feathery seeds. (Source: Apollonius Rhodius) Myth 1 : Tree of Dreams. (Source: Hesiod), Greek : Kyparissos The warriors then founded the Nemean Games in his honour with a victor's wreath made from his celery death-bed. Attis was a handsome youth loved by the goddess Kybele. If you want to find out what your name means in Greek or if you are having trouble finding a new name for your new baby and want it to express the words "Love, Beautiful and Flowers… Description : A spring-flowering perennial with grey-green leaves and pale pink-grey-white flowers. Hyakinthos was a handsome, young Spartan prince loved by the gods Apollon and Zephyros. Cuttings should have only one or two open flowers allowing the unopened buds to bloom in the vase. The Lotus Flower. (Source: Athenaeus), Also : Turkish fir and Trojan fir Species : Abies cephalonica, A. alba, A. nordmanniana, A. equi-trojani From architecture to government, the influence of this small European nation is part of everyday life in countries around the globe. Mythology : Birth of Attis. Myth 3 : Metamorphosis Ambrosia. Its slow-burning pith made it an effective torch. Species : Hordeum vulgare Species : Apium graveolens and Petroselinum sativum Flowers play a role in Greek mythology as well; for instance, the narcissus, and hyacinth flowers both represent men whose identities were placed into a flower, and poppies represent Morpheus, the god of dreams. A young prince of the island of Keos loved by the god Apollon. The seer Melampos, in response to the plees of the king, found the girls wandering in the mountains and cured them with hellebore. . It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other medicinal and culinary herbs. Greek : Mêlon A Legendary Flower In ancient times, roses appeared in myths and were appreciated by rulers and used during great celebrations and parties. When the god was grown he sought the aid of the goddess Metis or Gaia who served Kronos an herbal emetic which caused the Titan to disgorge his divine sibligns: Poseidon, Haides, Hera, Demeter and Hestia. Everybody also knows how rich and exciting Greek Flora is. The Greeks believed that the herb parsley grew from the blood of a hero named Achemorus who was killed by … In ancient Greece, wreaths, usually made of olive, pine, laurel, celery, or palm, were awarded to athletes victorious in the Olympic Games and as prizes to poets and orators. (Source: Pausanias) After the birth of Dionysos his jealous stepmother Hera sought to destroy him. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota: Growing gladious. Parsley. (Source: Hesiod), Greek : Sykea The god Apollon was born and raised in the sacred Ortygian cypress grove in Lykia. Species : Juniperus oxycedrus When Orpheus and the Argonauts encountered the Hesperides in their garden, the three nymphs transformed themselves into trees: Erytheia became an elm (ptelea), Hesperiea poplar (aigeiros), and Aigle a willow tree (itea). Thanks Saskia, this is now correctly identified. (Source: Pausanias), Greek : Anemônê Fir wood was used for building. (Source: Homeric Hymns) When her father learned of the affair, he buried her beneath the sands. Marsh Mallow. Myth 2 : Bouquet of Persephone. Mythology : Asphodel Plains. Species : Helleborus cyclophyllus (and H. orientalis and Veratrum album) Species : Anemone coronaria The ancient Greeks used flowers and herbs for adornment and decorations included in artwork. (in the plural) blossom τα άνθη της αμυγδαλιάς ― ta ánthi tis amygdaliás ― the almond blossom Philyra was a Thessalian Nymphe loved by the Titan Kronos. Anemone coronaria. Species : Ulmus glabra with weddings), Aphrodite (assoc. In one of the first centers of civilization, the native flowers of ancient Greece were strong influences on the creation of ancient Greece's extensive mythology. The ancient Greeks carried myrtle with them when they colonized new lands to symbolize the beginning of a new life. Sacred to : Perhaps Aphrodite Myth 1 : Metamorphosis Philyre. Myth 1 : Thyrsos of Dionysos. Species : Ficus carica Sacred to : Artemis (there was a sanctuary of Artemis Kedreatis, Lady of the Cedar, near Orkhomenos where the cult image was set in the tree), Greek : Selinon Flowers play a role in Greek mythology as well; for instance, the narcissus, and hyacinth flowers both represent men whose identities were placed into a flower, and poppies represent Morpheus, the god of dreams. Description : A small deciduous tree or large shrub with hemp-like leaves and branched clusters of purple flowers. A boy loved by the god Hermes. They ancients mostly used them as swine-feed. Sacred to : Helios ANEMONE, POPPY or WINDFLOWER, GREEK. Daffodil. Sacred to : Dionysos (garlands of bindweed worn in the orgies of the god) The identification of the plant species are from the Henry George Liddell Greek-English lexicon. Mythology : Death of Opheltes. (Source: Pausanias), Greek : Smilax She made a fire-resistant salve for the hero Jason when he was forced to face the fire-breathing bulls of king Aeetes ; she put the serpent guardian of the Golden Fleece to sleep with a potion ; restored Jason's father and also the Hyades to youth by boiling them in a cauldron with magical herbs ; and various other magical wonders. Greek : Kissos Polyidos was a seer summoned to the court of King Minos of Krete to find his missing son Glaukos. with love) (Source: Nonnus) Myth 1 : Nursing of Dionysos. Sacred to : Zeus (victors of his Nemean Games were crowned with wild celery), Poseidon (victors of his Isthmian Games were later also crowned with celery, replacing the pine wreath) The nymph-protectors of apple-orchards. It was associated with love and marriage. Description : In ancient Athens hemlock poison was traditionally as the method of death for criminals. To the ancient Egyptians, the trumpet-shaped lily was a symbol of Upper Egypt, the southern part of the country. Medea was said to have left her basket of Kolkhian herbs on Mount Pelion where they sprouted for the use of later Thessalian withces. Its leaves and roots are extremely extremely toxic and were used by the ancients as a poison. Mythology : Metamorphosis Smilax. Also : Monkshood, Wolf's-bane During our visit to Greece we were interested in seeing all the antiquities but we spent nearly as much time enjoying the flowers that covered the fields and gardens everywhere we looked. These lavender plants,Lavandulaangustifoliawere commonalong the roadsides of the island of Evia and the bees were common ontheir flowers. Description : A small, deciduous tree which grows to a height of 5 to 12 metres tall. The Ancient Greek Empire spread from Greece through Europe and, in 800 BC, the Greeks started to split their land into city-states, each with its own laws, customs and rulers. (Source: Pausanias, Ovid, Nonnus) The goddess Persephone and her companion Nymphs were gathering rose, crocus, violet, iris, lily and larkspur blooms in a springtime meadow when she was abducted by the god Haides. Species : Aconitum napellus the use of superstitious charms and spells by the average man), witchcraft (the harmful use of magic) and the concoction of poisons. The Nymphs planted elms on the barrow of Eetion, the king of Trojan Thebes, who was slain by Akhilleus. Species : Boswellia carterii Often considered a bulb plant, the gladiolus is actually a corm. It was named "Amaryllis", meaning sparkling, derived from Greek, by a physician from Leipzig who was on a plant expedition. The ancient name for gladiolus was xiphium, which means \"sword.\" This reference is readily apparent from the plant’s tall spikes that produce a multitude of blooms. Myth 5 : Medicines of Asklepios. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. By: Gisele Ewan History of Greek Floral Design Flower Arrangement Types Importance of Flowers Flowers were thrown on the ground for celebration Given as awards to athletes, poets, civic leaders, victorious soldiers and other heroes Worn as adornments at weddings, used to decorate Adonis was a handsome youth loved by the goddess Aphrodite. It was regarded as the food of the dead. When he was slain by a wild boar, the goddess created the red anemone flower from his blood. These he cast before the princess in the race, slowing her down as she stooped to retrieve them and so won the race. This tree of the golden apples was guarded by the three goddess Hesperides. The demi-god of beans whose myth was somehow connected with the Eleusinian mysteries. Greek : Helleboros (Sources: Ovid, Pliny), Greek : Kedros The Greek term for flora is chloris. Sacred to : Apollon (the god and victors of his Phthian Games were crowned with wreaths of laurel ; he was titled Daphnaios) ; Artemis (she had sacred laurel groves and was titled Daphnaia) APPLE TREE. They also tossed petals onto floors and beds. All Rights Reserved. Nari holds a Master of Arts in creative writing from Loyola Marymount University. The ancient pharmacological writer Dioscurides describes the medicinal properties of herbs and other plants in great detail. In Phrygia there was born an hermaphroditic deity named Agdistis. Went mad and threw himself upon his own sword bulb plant, the goddess Kybele been unfaithful, she and... Iris, goddess of the goat Amaltheia the consort of the dead desribed. 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