Hello! And welcome to the 2016 A-Z CHALLENGE!!
* confetti *
This year, I’m blogging my way through a botanical alphabet.
I hope you enjoy your time here and by all means,
come back tomorrow and see what plant I’m highlighting next! Cheers!!
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LARKSPUR
delphinium consolida
aka: lark's heel, lark's toe, lark's claw, knight's spur, staggerweed
photo from www.botanical.com
Larkspur's Latin name "delpinium' comes from "Delphi" the Latin for dolphin. It was given to the genus because the buds are said to look a bit like the playful sea creature. The other part of the Latin name "consolida" refers to the plant's ability to consolidate wounds.
Larkspur makes a wonderful addition to bouquets but it is short lived as a cut flower. It is highly toxic to cows but sheep are unaffected by the poison. Some farmers will use sheep to clear larkspur from a field that is intended for cattle grazing. Even some people report having an adverse reaction to Larkspur though only contact dermatitis and not death.
Then again, if they reported it they couldn't very well be dead, could they? Sorry...
The seeds can be used in tincture form as an antiseptic wash to get rid of lice. It is rumored that when Ajax, the hero of the Trojan War, killed himself (for really stupid reasons I'll leave to Homer to tell you), Larkspur sprang up from his blood. Perhaps this connection with this ancient warrior caused soldiers to use the plant during WWI as a remedy for body lice. Bleck.
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All research references can be found in my Library of Botanical Miscellany.
Disclaimer
These posts are in NO WAY medical suggestions. They are intended for informational purposes only.
If you are interested in pursuing natural, herbal remedies, get thee to a reputable herb shop (preferably one that is locally and independently owned and operated) and get educated!
Disclaimer II
It’s ridiculous that anyone writing about herbal and traditional remedies should have to put a disclaimer at the end of anything.
Use your brain and think for yourself! Just as you shouldn't take a pharmaceutical at face value,
do your herbal research and learn about the amazing plants around us.
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