As might be expected, numerous plants have become interwoven with the lives of the saints, a subject on which many works have been written.  Hence it is unnecessary to do more than briefly note some of the more important items of sacred lore which have been embodied in many of the early Christian legends.  The yellow rattle has been assigned to St. Peter, and the Primula veris, from its resemblance to a bunch of keys, is St. Peter’s wort.  Many flowers, too, from the time of their blossoming, have been dedicated to certain saints, as the square St. John’s wort (Hypericum quadrangulare), which is also known as St. Peter’s wort; while in Germany wall-barley is termed Peter’s corn.  Of the many legends connected with the cherry we are reminded that on one occasion Christ gave one to St. Peter, at the same time reminding him not to despise little things.

St. James is associated with several plants—­the St. James’ wort (Senecio Jacoboea), either from its having been much used for the diseases of horses, of which the saint was the patron, or owing to its blossoming on his festival.  The same name was applied to the shepherd’s purse and the rag-weed.  Incidentally, too, in our chapter on the calendar we have alluded to many flowers associated with the saints, and spoken of the customs observed in their honour.

Similarly the later saints had particular flowers dedicated to their memory; and, indeed, a complete catalogue of flowers has been compiled—­one for each day in the year—­the flower in many cases having been selected because it flowered on the festival of that saint.  Thus the common bean was dedicated to St. Ignatius, and the blue hyacinth to St. Dorothy, while to St. Hilary the barren strawberry has been assigned.  St. Anne is associated with the camomile, and St. Margaret with the Virginian dragon’s head.  Then there is St. Anthony’s turnips and St. Barbara’s cress—­the “Saints’ Floral Directory,” in “Hone’s Every-Day Book,” giving a fuller and more extensive list.  But the illustrations we have already given are sufficient to show how fully the names of the saints have been perpetuated by so many of our well-known plants not only being dedicated to, but named after them, a fact which is perhaps more abundantly the case on the Continent.  Then, as it has been remarked, flowers have virtually become the timepieces of our religious calendar, reminding us of the various festivals, as in succession they return, in addition to immortalising the history and events which such festivals commemorate.  In many cases, too, it should be remembered, the choice of flowers for dedication to certain saints originated either in their medical virtues or in some old tradition which was supposed to have specially singled them out for this honour.

Footnotes: 

1.  Sanscrit for lotus.

2.  Hindu poem, translated by Sir William Jones.