Author Description
Why do the Welsh wear a daffodil on St. David's Day and the Irish a shamrock for St. Patrick? Why do we send flowers to weddings and funerals or kiss under the mistletoe? From elderflower tea (`a universal panacea') to lesser yellow trefoil (the true shamrock), from corn dollies and crop circles to plants which forecast the weather (pennywort and scarlet pimpernel), this dictionary is a vivid and colorful account of British and Irish plant-lore.* Superstitions and herbal remedies, to folk song and children's games* Folk-names in use today never previously recorded
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This dictionary investigates the intersection of botanical history and human cultural tradition within the British Isles. Roy Vickery, a noted expert in plant-lore and ethnobotany, compiles extensive field research and historical documentation to explain the origins of plant-related customs, superstitions, and medicinal practices. The work argues that plant-lore remains a living, evolving component of regional identity rather than a static historical relic.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Comprehensive entries on British and Irish plant-lore, including folk names and regional variations.
- Documentation of plant-based superstitions, herbal remedies, and traditional games.
- Analysis of symbolic plant usage in cultural rituals, such as weddings, funerals, and national holidays.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on British and Irish traditions and does not provide a global survey of plant-lore.
- It does not serve as a clinical medical guide for the efficacy of herbal remedies.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and researchers frequently cite this volume as a foundational reference for understanding the cultural significance of flora in the British Isles. Readers often note the accessibility of the prose, which balances academic rigor with an engaging, encyclopedic format suitable for both scholars and casual enthusiasts.
Page Count:
464
Publication Date:
1997-05-15
ISBN-10:
0192800531
ISBN-13:
9780192800534
British History
Folklore
Irish History
Cultural History
Botany
Reference