Sacred Flowers of the Past, Original Flower Photography No.9
✿ Vervain ✿
Scientific Name: Verbena officinalis
The name “verbena” means altar plant, considered a sacred plant in Ancient Roman times, and was often placed on the alters in temples, bundles of the flower where tied together to sweep the altar as well.
As the sun sets the golden rod crab spider tries to get a meal in before darkness falls.. not doing a good job blending in on the Pink Vervain flowers.
I let the wild flowers take over about 5 acres or more of our property, I really like seeing what naturally grows here and learning about them. It certain parts of the property with really tall asters the Vervain flower reached over my head, while in areas with short foot high grass, it stayed about 2 1/2 feet in height. It seems as though it competes with other plants for sunlight.
In folklore there are many many tales, from protecting you from lightning, vampires, witches, to giving you good luck and prosperity.
My favorite of all is one of Goddess Isis, wife of God Osiris of Egypt, found and retyped from "IN SEARCH OF THE LOST PHALLUS: ON THE NEED FOR ISIS TO MATE":
I thought it was kidding honestly about the fish and penis, but after countless sources confirming the the tale, I accepted it.
Read about the GoldenRod Crab Spider
More Original Flower Photography:
✿Sunflowers✿ ~ ✿Black Eyed Susan✿ ~ ✿Echium✿ ~ ✿Oxeye Daisy ✿ ~ ✿Apple Blossom Yarrow✿ ~ ✿Bachelor Buttons ✿ ~ ✿Balloon Flower✿ ~ ✿ Globe Thistle ✿
✿Sunflowers✿ ~ ✿Black Eyed Susan✿ ~ ✿Echium✿ ~ ✿Oxeye Daisy ✿ ~ ✿Apple Blossom Yarrow✿ ~ ✿Bachelor Buttons ✿ ~ ✿Balloon Flower✿ ~ ✿ Globe Thistle ✿
Vervain - how pretty and medicinal. Love the tale ;)
Thanks =) I'm going to make tea after some leaves are done drying <3
interesting.. and a pretty crazy looking spider too !
Love the yellow crab spider
It must be so lovely to have all those wild plants growing freely near your home.
Love the second shot :)