I have been enjoying taking photographs at the butterfly garden on the Columbus Riverwalk. While the main attractions are the butterflies, hummingbirds and the beauty of the flowers, there is another story within the garden. It is the history of the flowers there and the stories they tell.
Last week while in the garden, I noticed that a passion flower had grown around a fennel plant. The stories told by both of these plants range from religious to Native Americans and European exploration; to medicinal and culinary uses. All too often we enjoy the beauty or flavor of a flower without realizing the fascinating stories they tell.
Fennel is not only a plant that provides food for caterpillars, but is an attractive flower for butterflies. With a hint of licorice, it is often used in the seasoning of fish and pork dishes. Native to southern Europe, it has been used as a flavoring and herbal remedy since Greek and Roman times when it was considered to have magical properties.
In Medieval times, it was hung over doorways to repel evil spirits. It became a common herbal remedy for cramps and stomachaches. Research has shown that fennel is high in antioxidants and vitamin C. There is even some evidence that the plant may reduce inflammation and improve digestion.
Fennel was first brought to North America by Spanish missionaries in the 1500s. In 1824, Thomas Jefferson was sent fennel seeds from Italy. He planted the seeds and grew some in his garden. After harvesting and eating the young stalks, Jefferson commented: “The fennel is beyond every other vegetable, delicious. It greatly resembles in appearance the largest celery, perfectly white, and there is no vegetable equal in its flavor, It is eaten at dessert, crude and with or without dry salt. Indeed, I preferred it to every other vegetable or to any fruit.”
The passion flower is not only a very beautiful native wildflower but has a most interesting history. The plant was long used by Native Americans both as a pain reliever or mild sedative. The first descriptions of the flower were by Spanish New World missionaries in the 1500s. They reportedly gave the plant its name as its colors and structure called to their minds the Passion of Christ.
The religious significance was explained in an 1835 newspaper article.
“The leaves resemble the spear that pierced our savior’s side; the tendrils, — the cords that bound his hands, or the whips that scourged him; the 10 petals, — the apostles; Judas having betrayed, and Peter deserted; the pillars in the center, — the cross or tree; the stamina, — the hammer, the styles the nails; the inner circle around the central pillar, — the crown of thorns; the radiance, — the glory; the white in the flower — the emblem of purity; and the blue, — the type of heaven. One species, the Passiflora alata even drops of blood are seen upon the cross or tre-. This flower continues three days open and then disappears, thus denoting the resurrection.”
Since colonial times, the passion flower has been used in many herbal remedies. Even today it is found in over 50 different herbal remedies that are on the market. The flower itself has a flavor reminiscent of peanuts. The passion flower’s common Southern name is “Maypop” because of the sound made when one steps on one of its large green seed pods
Neither of these plants should be eaten unless under the supervision of a botanist or health care professional who can properly identify the plant, as they have several common side effects ranging from nausea to mental confusion.
The flowers of the Riverwalk butterfly garden are not only pretty to look at, but also have a fascinating story to tell.
Rufus Ward is a Columbus native a local historian. E-mail your questions about local history to Rufus at [email protected].
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