MEANINGS & LEGENDS OF FLOWERS (Q)

Queen Anne's Lace Daucus carota Family: Apiaceae Common Names: ~Bishop's Flower~ ~False Queen Anne's Lace~ ~Queen of Africa ~ ~Large Bullwort ~ ~Wild Carrot ~ Bird's-Nest ~ ~Devil's-Plague~ ~Bee's Nest Plant~ Queen Anne’s Lace is said to have been named after Queen Anne of England, an expert lace maker. English legend tells us that Queen Anne challenged the ladies of the court to a contest to see who could produce a pattern of lace as lovely as the flower of this plant. No one could rival the queen's handiwork. She however, pricked her finger with a needle and a single drop of blood fell into the lace, that is said to be the dark purple floret in the center of the flower. Another folklore about Queen Anne's lace says that the mother of whomever picks it and takes it into a house will die. Yet another says that this plant will thrive if it is planted in the garden of a woman who is true to herself. Queen Anne's Lace is the wild progenitor of the carrot. The white flower is shaped like an umbrella and is made up of many small flowers in a lace-like pattern. At the center is a purplish-black floret. The root is thick and resembles a carrot. The word carrot is Celtic and means ~red of color.~ The species name, Daucus, comes from the Greek word ~dais,~ which means ~to burn,~ signifying its pungent and stimulating qualities. Tea made from the root of Queen Anne's Lace has been used as diuretic to prevent and eliminate kidney stones. Its seeds have been used as a contraceptive and as a remedy for hangovers. The root of Queen Anne’s Lace can be eaten as a vegetable or in soup. North African natives chewed it to protect themselves from the sun. In parts of India, women chew some dry seeds every day to reduce their fertility.

Copyright © Pinkie D'Cruz 1998
Friday, January 16, 1998