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Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 8:26 am
by Avsie
Hi
I recently inherited a book called 'The Basket Of Flowers' gifted to a family member in 1867. Inside was a flower that is believed to have been put inside around the time. Can anyone identify this plant? Thanks.
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:06 pm
by Steve Pollard
Kind of looks like lavender - does it still smell?
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 11:54 am
by AlexWorsleyDWT
It's self-heal - Prunella vulgaris
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:50 pm
by Jane W
Lovely book. It does look like lavender but I'm offering another possibility. Its a bit of an outsider but it was the first thing that came to mind when I saw your photo. Betony.
I've joined a couple of photos of betony in my field, and a dried head...the dried one looks much more spiky I know, but if it was pressed when still fresh, it would appear less so.
I also got a nice book from my grandfather, not as old as yours, more like turn of the century ( actually can't find a date in it anywhere), but I treasure it.
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 3:26 pm
by Avsie
Steve Pollard wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:06 pm
Kind of looks like lavender - does it still smell?
Thanks for the reply - yes it could be lavender couldn't it! No it just smells of moth balls as it was kept in a box with them. The overpowering smell is like a freshly creosoted fence.
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 3:30 pm
by Avsie
Jane W wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:50 pm
Lovely book. It does look like lavender but I'm offering another possibility. Its a bit of an outsider but it was the first thing that came to mind when I saw your photo. Betony.
I've joined a couple of photos of betony in my field, and a dried head...the dried one looks much more spiky I know, but if it was pressed when still fresh, it would appear less so.
I also got a nice book from my grandfather, not as old as yours, more like turn of the century ( actually can't find a date in it anywhere), but I treasure it.
Thanks - yes I can fully appreciate how you would treasure your book. Something physical left from the past. Magical. It could be Betony looking at photos online. A great suggestion. I am going to have to read the book (I bought a modern copy from Amazon) and see if there are any clues in it - I know the book was bought because the first names of the characters matched those of my family. Maybe there is more significance to the flower than I thought. If I find out i'll let you know.
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 1:25 pm
by Jane W
Hi Alex...for some reason your post didn't appear until today, so I posted my reply before I'd seen yours! Sorry.
Re: Identify Flower from 1867
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 11:46 am
by AlexWorsleyDWT
No problem at all!
