Flower

A flower is the sexual gland of a plant. It produces nectar to attract insects, and pollen with which it shares its genes to other plants.

Humans find flowers attractive for their beauty and scent. People also find some flowers useful as herbs (e.g. camomile), spices (e.g. cloves), dyestuffs (e.g. saffron and safflower), garnishes, perfumes (e.g. lavender), food sweeteners (e.g. rosewater).

Some flowers were very symbolic during the middle ages. For example, the rose is much tied up with chivalry.

Some flowers known during the medieval period:

• roses (the old fashioned single petal varieties, not the modern varieties - see also Florilegium on Roses)
• carnations (see also Florilegium on Gillyflowers)
• winter rose or Helibore
• violet
• daffodils (smaller flowered varieties)
• forget-me-nots
• marigold

More information on period flower types:

• Florilegium on Gardens