Cornflower blue. blue cornflower flowers

Cornflower - ornamental plant from the Asteraceae family. In nature, there are blue, pink, purple, red, white, burgundy and yellow color. Grows among spikelets of wheat in the field. Cornflowers, as seen in the photo, look like light snowflakes. They are getting more and more popular. Flowers are planted in flower beds and household plots. The picture is proof of that.

Among the people, cornflower of blue color called a voloshka. The plant is an annual, it can reach a height of up to 80 cm. There is always one double or semi-double bud up to 5 cm in diameter on its stem. Blooms from mid-June to late autumn.

This flower is widespread in Asia, America and especially in Europe. You can also meet him in North Africa. Scientists count up to 500 species of this plant, differing in the shape of the edges of the flower and the baskets of inflorescences. They are cylindrical and spherical, as seen in the picture.

1. Mountain cornflower. Perennial, reaching a height of 40 cm, with blue flowers that bloom in June-July.
2. Bleached cornflower. The name was given due to the unusual color of the leaves (whitish-pubescent below). It can grow up to 80 cm in height. The flowers are bright pink in color, with a white center.
3. The large-headed cornflower (pictured) has bright yellow flowers and large buds up to 80 cm high, as seen in the photo.
4. Beautiful cornflower. It has pinnately dissected leaves and pinkish-lilac flowers, spherical in shape and reaches a height of only 20 cm.
5. Rough cornflower (photo) has a purple color, can reach a height of 1 meter.

You can admire the plant in the photo of flowers. Cornflowers look charming.

plant in folk medicine

The plant is medicinal. Its flowers contain flavonoids, dyes, ascorbic acid and carotene. The most effective decoctions and infusions of the plant.

The flower is considered a good diuretic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic and analgesic effect.

Its decoction is taken for diseases of the heart system, headaches and stomach pains.

Baths with a decoction of this plant are used for gynecological diseases, eczema, rheumatism, diathesis, diarrhea, jaundice and dropsy.

But these flowers, like all other plants, have some contraindications. It is required to apply it after consultation with the doctor and only in complex therapy.

Application in cosmetology

The medicinal properties of the plant can apply for care oily skin , with split ends and falling hair, for the treatment of seborrhea. For this, an infusion of the flowers of the plant is used. They can rinse your head after washing or rub it into the scalp.

Cultivation of cornflower

Growing flowers in the garden should be in open sunny places. If planting is done with other plants, then cornflowers are planted in the first row so that they receive enough light.

Decorate the area with small groups of rolls. Their tall species look great near shrubs. Flowers not only decorate, but also protect the soil from erosion.

Cornflower is often planted to decorate flower beds. This is a great photo showcase.

In flowerbeds, it looks effective with perennial poppies and calendula. They bloom at the same time, forming an original meadow. For alpine slides must use undersized species plants.

Neighbor plants for cornflower

Cornflowers are not bad combined with the following plants:

• blue aquilegia;
• dicentro;
• silver-blue alpine eryngium;
• catnip Fassen.

Annuals are grown in balcony boxes and in pots on window sills outside.

Seeds are sown in April-May. The soil should be rich in humus with neutral acidity. IN clay soil sand is added. Lime should be added to acidic soil (1 cm layer) once every 3 years and only in autumn.

For abundant flowering top dressing can be carried out before flowering.

Annuals are sown from seeds in open ground spring or autumn. A transplant is not required, because it is poorly tolerated.

If you need seedlings, then it should be grown in peat tablets. It is also necessary to plant in open ground at the end of May.

Seedlings need to be thinned out, leaving a distance between flowers of up to 30 cm.

Propagation by root division

This type of reproduction is used for transplanting perennials. In August, the flowers must be dug up, cut off the stem, leaving only 10 cm in length. Free the roots from the ground, wash and cut into 2 parts. Each part should have 2-3 kidneys.

Delenki are planted in holes fertilized with compost. Seedlings should be watered 3 times a week. But the soil should be slightly dry before watering. Flowers will bloom profusely next summer.

If you need seeds, then you need to wait until the petals on the inflorescence fade and its center darkens. Plucked inflorescences store 3 weeks in a dry place. Then shake the seeds out of the head and store in paper bag at room temperature.

Disease control

Of the diseases, only fusarium wilt can threaten a cornflower. This is a fungal disease. Therefore, processing is required not only of the plant itself, but also of the soil. The soil is sprinkled with ashes, fertilized with a weak infusion of manure or foundation.

Cornflower is a herbaceous annual or perennial with delicate flowers. The plant belongs to the Asteraceae family. The scientific name - centaurea - is interpreted in different ways, as "centaur flower" or "piercing bulls". He is known to almost everyone. Although the plant is native to Southern Europe, it can be found throughout temperate climate: in the fields, in the steppes. Cornflower is used in a variety of ways. They decorate the garden, and are also used in medicine and cooking. In Russia, the plant was considered a powerful amulet against evil spells and was used by girls in rituals for the feast of Ivan Kupala.

plant description

Cornflower - flowering plant with a developed horizontal rhizome and herbaceous stems. Upright, slightly branched shoots grow to a height of 50-80 cm. They are covered with a short, hard pile and are painted in green color. linear-lanceolate leaves small size even within the same plant they differ. The lower ones are larger, lobed, and the upper ones are narrow, solid.

Small inflorescences-baskets are formed at the top of the stems. They begin to bloom in June and replace each other until the autumn cold. Inflorescences are simple and terry. They consist of bisexual tubular flowers in the center and sterile reed flowers towards the edge. Narrow, carved petals are arranged in 1-2 rows or evenly throughout the inflorescence. Their color is yellow, blue, white, pink, blue, purple or burgundy.

Cornflowers are good honey plants. Each flower can release up to 6 portions of pollen. After pollination, dry multi-seeded pods about 5 mm long ripen. In the upper part is a silver-gray crest. Seed ripening occurs in July-October.

Types of cornflower

The genus of cornflower is very diverse. It includes more than 700 plant species. Some of them have an uncertain status or are recognized as synonyms for other species, but the remaining varieties are more than enough to decorate the garden.

Perennial flowering herbs can grow up to 1 m in height. They have powerful vertical rhizome and erect stems with a rough surface. Branching occurs mainly in the upper part. The elongated lanceolate leaves with a rough surface are dark green in color with a silvery coating. Fluffy baskets bloom at the beginning of summer. Calyx - scaly, yellow. Lilac-pink narrow petals peek out from the top. Tubular flowers are concentrated in the center.

Herbaceous perennial has erect or ascending stems with edges. The height of the plant is 0.4-1.2 m. The incised leaves are painted dark green. At the base of the stem, they grow on petioles, and at the top they sit on it. Single baskets with an ovoid brownish cup bloom lilac-purple or pink flowers. Flowering occurs in June-September.

Plants have a powerful horizontal rhizome and erect unbranched stem. Its height is 60 cm. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, bright green. Flowers - single baskets up to 6 cm in diameter consist of blue-violet reed flowers along the edge and short tubular ones in the center. The variety blooms all summer.

Annual or biennial with a rough erect stem 15-100 cm in height. Rhizome - thin, rod. The shoot is branched in the upper part and covered with lanceolate, notched foliage with a short felt pile. A crown-shaped basket blooms lilac-blue flowers. Below is an ovoid greenish-brown calyx. The same species is called field cornflower or sowing. Its seeds are often mixed with cereals and clog crops, so the plant is in agriculture considered weedy, difficult to eradicate.

An annual or perennial ornamental plant up to 120 cm high blooms beautiful large baskets with pink, bright blue, light blue or burgundy petals. Its flowering is long and abundant. A very popular varietal group is "terry cornflower". It has spherical bright heads, in which reed flowers are located, including in the center. Petals corrugated, serrated. Varieties:

• Blue Boy - dark blue baskets bloom on shoots 50-90 cm in height;
• Red Boy - blooms with ruby ​​red flowers;
• Schneemann - a plant 70-80 cm high blooms snow-white terry flowers.

Reproduction methods

It is convenient to grow annual and perennial cornflowers from seeds. Sowing is carried out immediately in open ground or in containers (if it is planned to decorate the balcony and veranda). In mid-April, the soil is prepared for planting: dug up and loosened. The soil must be non-acidic. It is believed that cornflowers grow better on calcareous soils, and the color of the petals is brighter. Seeds remain viable for up to 3 years. They are sown without pre-treatment into holes 2-3 cm deep. They try to distribute evenly, not thickly. Seedlings appear after 2 weeks. As they grow, they are thinned out. First leave a distance of 20 cm, and then for high grades increase it to 50 cm. You can sow the seeds in October-November, then in the spring shoots will appear earlier and, accordingly, flowering will begin earlier.

Some flower growers grow seedlings. Seeds should be immediately distributed in peat pots, as the root system is easily damaged. Before planting in open ground, it is kept at a temperature of + 18 ° C.

Perennial cornflowers can be propagated by dividing the rhizome. At the end of the flowering period (August), a strong bush is dug up and completely freed from an earthy coma. The roots are washed in warm water. The stems are cut to a height of 10 cm. The rhizome is divided into segments with a knife or a shovel. It can be easily broken apart by hand. Each division must have at least 3 buds. Immediately after the manipulation, the plants are planted in a new place.

Outdoor care

Cornflowers are planted in a well-lit, open area. Slight shading is allowed. The soil should be light and loose. Suitable loam or sandy loam. If necessary, sand is added to heavy soils.

Daily care is very easy. It comes down to rare watering, only in the absence of precipitation. Cornflowers tolerate drought well, but they suffer greatly from stagnant water in the soil.

Once or twice a month, plants are fed with a mineral complex (20-30 g / m²). Well-diluted fertilizer is poured into the soil at the roots. If you apply too much top dressing, the foliage will begin to turn yellow and dry.

For the vegetation to attractive appearance wilted flowers should be removed in a timely manner. You can limit yourself to removing only the inflorescence itself and leave the shoot intact, but it is better to cut it to a height of 10 cm above the ground. Then the growth will be more accurate and dense.

For the winter, plants do not need shelter. Annuals simply cut and dig up the site. And perennials are cut to the ground. The remains of the shoots will dry up, and in the spring new shoots will sprout from the roots.

Cornflower in the garden

Dense and at the same time airy growth of cornflowers, decorated with bright multi-colored heads, is used to decorate mixed flower beds, mixborders, balconies and terraces. Flowers can be used in group plantings, combining various varieties, or combined with plants such as cereals, chamomile, forget-me-nots, poppies, calendula, marigolds.

Medicinal properties

The plant is used in traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals. Cornflower flowers contain a large amount of:

• mineral salts;
• vitamins;
• tannins;
• alkaloids;
• glycosides;
• flavonoids.

Harvesting of raw materials is carried out during the flowering period. Use only fresh, not withered inflorescences. They are thoroughly dried in a dark, ventilated place and stored in an airtight container.

Water and alcohol infusions, decoction or tea are prepared from the obtained raw materials. The drugs have diaphoretic, antipyretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, choleretic, laxative, analgesic, antispasmodic effects on the body.

Cornflower is taken orally for gastrointestinal upset, cough, nervous strain, failure menstrual cycle and profuse bleeding. When used externally, the condition of the skin and hair improves, irritation disappears and wounds heal.

Since the plant contains cyanides, which can accumulate in the body, cornflower preparations are started after consulting a doctor. Treatment is completely contraindicated for pregnant women, people with allergies, and children under 12 years of age.

Centaurea cyanus L.

Cornflower Centaurea is a genus of herbs in the Asteraceae family. In Russia, it grows almost throughout the country, the most common species are blue cornflower and meadow cornflower, both types of cornflowers are medicinal plants.

Cornflower blue is found in all grain crops in our fields - among spring and winter crops of wheat and rye, grows along the edges of fields, along roads, in wastelands. A small amount of cornflowers in the fields, according to research, increases the yield of cereals. Is it an annual or biennial plant with a straight branched stem up to 50 - 80 cm high.

There are many legends about the bright blue color of field cornflowers. In one ancient Greek legend it is told how once heavy ears of rye turned to the blue sky with a complaint that they could not see it when they bowed under the weight of the grains. The sky promised that it would descend to them, and it descended to them, and when it rose again, the pieces of the sky that remained among the ears of rye turned into blue flowers, over which now they bend and look at them, rustling and whispering, ears of bread.

Cornflower blue, probably spread along with rye and wheat, and in ancient times was brought to Central Europe from the Mediterranean countries.

Let's return to the description of the blue cornflower. The lower leaves of the cornflower are petiolate, pinnately lobed, higher along the stem are sessile, linear. The leaves are covered with hairs.

The flowers are collected in single baskets located at the ends of the stems and branches. Marginal flowers in baskets - funnel-shaped, enlarged blue, sometimes blue or white, barren. The inner flowers are blue-violet, tubular, bisexual, form fruits - oblong cylindrical achenes 3 ÷ 5 mm long, gray in color with a thick reddish tuft, with which they spread with gusts of wind.

Blue cornflower blooms in June - July, about 6000 seeds are formed on one plant. In folk medicine, marginal asexual flowers are used for medicinal purposes.

Cornflower flowers contain flavonoids, bitter glycosides, carotene, ascorbic acid, dyes. They are harvested by hand when the cornflowers are in full bloom, trying not to get inside, tubular flowers, which in some cases degrade the quality of raw materials.

Flowers are dried, spreading in a thin layer, protecting from bright light, stored in a dark place. Dried flowers are bright blue, odorless with a bitter astringent taste.

The healing properties of blue cornflower have been known since ancient times. The therapeutic effect of cornflower petals is due to the presence of tannins, mucous, resinous substances, organic acids, trace elements in them. Ancient manuscripts describe the treatment of deep wounds with crushed cornflower seeds, the removal of warts.

The scientific name of the blue cornflower Centaurea was given by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in honor of the mythical centaur Chiron, who widely used medicinal herbs, and cornflower juice healed his wounds and the wounds of the heroes of his time.

The specific name cyanuc is derived from the Greek word kyanos - dark blue, indicating the color of the flowers. Another of the legends of Ancient Rome tells about the young handsome Cyanus, who was very fond of the blue color. He died unexpectedly, he was found in the middle of a grain field. The goddess Flora, very revered by the young man during her lifetime, turned him into a blue cornflower, since then both the flower and the color have been called cyanus - blue.

And the Russian name of the genus cornflower - from the Greek word basilikon means royal potion in translation, this name is also associated with the popular name Vasily among the people.

Cornflower blue application

In folk medicine, an infusion or tea from the marginal flowers of the cornflower inflorescence is used for chronic diseases kidneys, bladder, spasms, edema, dropsy.

cornflower blue application finds it as a good choleretic agent for diseases of the liver, biliary tract, jaundice; use an infusion of cornflower to stimulate appetite and improve digestion.

Cornflower blue is used as a diaphoretic, antipyretic, bactericidal remedy for fevers, colds, disorders of the nervous system, headaches, eye diseases, skin irritations.

Infusion of blue cornflower flowers:

One tsp flowers pour 1 cup boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day 20 minutes before meals.

Infusion of blue cornflower soothes nervous system, has a good effect on the cardiovascular system, is used for uterine bleeding.

For conjunctivitis, barley, use an infusion of flowers in the form of lotions to wash the eyes with inflammation.

To improve hair growth:

One st. l. inflorescences-baskets of cornflower pour 200 ml of boiling water, add 200 ml of vinegar, leave for 30 minutes, cool, strain. Rub into the hair of the head, use for washing the head - rinsing the hair, stimulates hair growth.

In scientific medicine, cornflower is used in the treatment of the liver, gastrointestinal tract in case of metabolic disorders.

Cornflower flowers, as a cleanser, are part of many complex herbal preparations.

Collections of medicinal herbs with cornflower application

For diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract , especially with edema of renal and cardiac origin:

• cornflower flowers - 3 parts
• angelica root - 3

One table. l. mix pour 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes. Take 3-4 times a day for 1/4 cup as a diuretic. Store the infusion in the refrigerator for no more than two days;

• cornflower flowers - 1 part
• bearberry leaves - 3
• licorice root - 1

One st. l. mix pour 1 cup boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Take 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Decoction for washing eyes with eyebright:

• 1 tsp cornflower flowers,
• 1 tsp eyebright,

Pour two teaspoons of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, boil for 2-3 minutes on low heat under the lid, cool, strain, filter through cotton wool. Instill 2-3 drops into the eyes, rinse the eyes with this infusion 3-4 times a day.

Baths with a decoction of herbs with cornflower petals are used for diathesis in children, local baths are used for diseases of the joints.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity, individual intolerance to drugs with cornflower.
• Cornflower preparations are contraindicated to be taken orally during pregnancy.
• Consult with your doctor before taking medications with cornflower.

Watch the video of cornflower blue application:

Cornflower blue

Blue cornflowers are a good honey plant, from the flowers they get thick greenish-amber honey with a pleasant almond smell.

Blue dye can be obtained from tubular cornflower flowers.

Cornflower meadow description application

Cornflower meadow Centaurea jacea L. is a perennial rough plant with an upright ribbed branched stem up to 1 m tall with lilac-purple flowers collected 1-2 at the tops of the stems. Grows along paths, roads, meadows and clearings in the European part of the country and Altai.

Marginal flowers - with a leukoid corolla, barren, designed for beauty and attracting insects, in the middle the flowers are tubular, bisexual, pollinated by insects, bees especially love nectar, this is a good honey plant.

Meadow cornflower blooms in June - July, inflorescences and grass are used for medicinal purposes. Cornflower inflorescences are harvested and dried during the flowering period, the grass is cut throughout the summer.

In folk medicine, an infusion of meadow cornflower grass is used for stomach pain, headache, jaundice, dropsy, and heart disease.

Externally, the infusion is used for bathing children with diathesis, for baths with rheumatism, as lotions for eczema and purulent wounds. Make poultices when stretching muscles.

The infusion is used in the form of lotions for irritation of dry skin of the face, neck, hands, for eczema and seborrhea of ​​the head. The infusion is used in the form of lotions for conjunctivitis, night blindness, with furunculosis.

Meadow cornflower flowers contain flavonoids, alkaloids, mucus, ascorbic acid, and mineral salts.

An infusion of meadow cornflower flowers has an antispasmodic, analgesic effect.

Preparation of an infusion from meadow cornflower flowers description:

One st. pour a spoonful of flowers with 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day 20 minutes before meals. The same infusion is applied externally.

To stimulate appetite, improve stomach function:

One tsp flowers pour 1 cup of boiling water, boil over low heat or a water bath for 10 minutes, leave for 1.5 hours, strain, squeeze. Drink in small sips of 1/3 cup three times a day before meals.

From the inflorescences of meadow cornflower you can get yellow paint for dyeing fabrics.

Bright colorful flowers of cornflowers in the height of summer not only delight us with their beauty, but can also bring great health benefits if they are attentive to their healing properties!

Read also about medicinal properties plants:

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Be always healthy and beautiful!

Cornflowers are flowers that have been known to us from fairy tales and legends since childhood. Phytotherapists value them as a useful and valuable remedy for many diseases. In addition, it is a gentle inhabitant of the meadows, which simply gives beauty to others. But, in addition to the meadow, he calmly takes root in the garden, which gives great pleasure to florists.

Cornflower flower. Description

The name of this plant comes from the mythological creature of the centaur Chiron, who was famous for the art of healing with the help of herbs. Cornflowers are flowers that belong to the Asteraceae family, or Asteraceae. It is a herbaceous plant with lying or erect stems. It can grow up to 120 cm. Its inflorescence is basket-shaped, which looks like a ball or cylinder. Petals are tubular or tubular-funnel-shaped. Their color can be completely different: blue, white, pink, yellow, blue, purple, burgundy and red. root system varies depending on the type of flower. It can be with a deep stem, and with a thick rhizome, and with a strongly branching short root. There is a flower that looks like a cornflower. This is a badass. It is a malicious weed that must be destroyed.

plant species

Cornflowers are flowers that have over 500 varieties. Each of them has a unique leaf shape, color, stem height and root system. The most common types are:

• Blue, or hair, is a herbaceous plant that lives 1-2 years. The height of the stem is 80 cm. The flowers are collected in single baskets, which begin to open in early July. Petals can be blue or blue.
• White - has double white flowers, reaches 25 cm in height. It is considered a rare species, therefore it is under protection.
• Mountain - a well-known perennial plant. The height of the stem is up to 80 cm. It has an interesting inflorescence structure, as it consists of marginal and middle petals. The marginal ones can be blue or bright blue, and the middle ones can be purple, dark blue or purple.
• Yellow - a bush that lives for several years. Its height can reach one meter. The flowers are bright yellow in color.
• Large-headed cornflower is a flower that can grow up to 1.2 m in height. Petals can be either light or bright yellow. Their flowering period lasts from early July to mid-August.
• Vostochny is a perennial wild bush, up to 120 cm high. This species was discovered in 1759. The color of the petals is yellow.

• Meadow is a herbaceous plant with a rigid upright stem. The flowers are located at the tip of the stem one at a time. They can be lilac-pink or white.
• Field - annual plant up to 60 cm high. It blooms from late spring to late summer. Petals are collected in baskets and can be blue or light blue.
• Whitened is a perennial with an upright stem. Its height is up to 60 cm. It is considered one of the most pretty species. Bright pink petals are collected in baskets with a diameter of 4 cm.
• garden - for home growing use perennials. They live without a transplant for up to 10 years. Very unpretentious and rarely succumb to disease.

Planting a cornflower

Spring is the most favorable time for planting cornflowers. The soil should warm up. This has been happening since the end of April. Any soil is suitable for cornflower, even if it contains lime. To do this, you need to loosen it and plant flowers at a distance of at least 50 cm from each other. This will allow the bush to fully develop. After filling the hole, the soil should be slightly trampled down. Such a technique can easily eliminate the formed cavities, and the plant will take root faster due to this. Cornflowers love the sun, so if you plant them in the shade, they will develop poorly and bloom.

Reproduction of cornflowers

There are several ways to breed cornflowers. This can be done using root cuttings, seeds or dividing the bush. During the flowering period, the plant itself actively self-sows. Transplantation can be carried out only after the end of this period. To do this, you need to dig the selected bush, remove all the earth from the roots and wash them. Ground shoots are cut off and the peripheral part is separated from the bush. It must contain at least 3 buds of the next year. Then it is immediately planted back into the ground. The ground part is cut so that its height does not exceed 10 cm, watering should be moderate: 3-4 times a week will be enough. Already next year the new plant will bloom brightly. If you need to propagate an annual cornflower, then only seeds are suitable for this. They land in early May. It is not recommended to transplant them.

Growing cornflower in the garden

For this plant, an open place with good solar lighting. It loves free space, so it is better to plant the bushes at a distance of 20-50 cm. This will enable a beautiful cornflower to form and develop. If the plant lives in a flower garden, then the south side will be the best for it, since it is the most illuminated. Most species will enjoy rich soil, but there are varieties that prefer alkaline soil. Watering should be moderate. Cornflower will tolerate drought more easily than excessive moisture.

Cornflower care

The whole charm of this plant is unpretentiousness in caring for it. He only needs periodic loosening of the soil (once or twice a month), moderate watering and weed removal. If you want the cornflower to keep blooming large quantity time, faded baskets should be cut off. If the plant is grown for sale, then a special complex of fertilizers should be applied during irrigation. Diseases and pests practically do not affect cornflowers. Occasionally, he suffers from Fusarium, and the leaves are affected by spider mites.

plant benefits

In folk medicine, cornflower flowers are considered very valuable. Their application is possible in such branches as gynecology, practical medicine and cosmetology. Their properties are unique. They are able to have a complex effect on the entire body. Cornflowers and chamomile flowers are similar in their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. In addition, they have a diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic and mild choleretic effect. Infusions and decoctions of cornflower are actively used for weight loss. They can remove from the body excess liquid and help burn excess fat. In cosmetology, cornflower is considered a magical remedy that relieves many problems. It is able to relieve puffiness of the skin around the eyes, get rid of blackheads and acne, soften dry skin of the face and neck. Another problem that can be solved with cornflower infusion is hair loss. In a month, the result will amaze everyone. But we should not forget that this plant should be used only after the permission of the doctor.

Thus, cornflowers are wild flowers that have a mass useful properties. But in addition to wild bushes, there are also garden ones, which are very easy and interesting to grow.

Today we are talking about flowers, but not about all, only about one - the flower Cornflower. Which secret meaning he carries and what lies behind him beautiful view?

Giving flowers is a wonderful and amazing tradition that has come down to us since ancient times. Now few people know the symbolism of flowers. And in the 18-19 centuries, with the help of these graceful and beautiful plants it was possible to express the whole gamut of feelings from all-consuming love to burning hatred.

Young people of Pushkin's age read with interest dictionaries and books about the meaning of plants, gave flowers and bouquets of them, putting at the same time a special and even secret, intimate meaning.

The method of transmitting information using colors is called the "language of flowers". It is believed that this extraordinary method of conveying emotions and feelings arose in Eastern countries where Muslim women and girls could not openly express their feelings.

Currently, the "language of flowers" is not as popular as it once was, and few people know the true meaning of flowers, their secret meaning. But, nevertheless, every year interest in such original method the transfer of feelings is increasing and gaining popularity.

This is due to the fact that by giving a flower, you can express a variety of feelings: love and hate, sadness and joy, expectation and meeting. Flowers come to the aid of those who do not dare to openly express their feelings. One of these plants is simple, but at the same time beautiful flower cornflower.

It is believed that the beautiful field flower cornflower got its name from the Greek word "basilikon", which is close in meaning to the modern nouns "basilisk", "basil" and its own name Vasily. flower cornflower is an old Russian borrowing from Greek, which used to mean "royal flower". Initially, the cornflower flower played important role among the southern Slavs in funeral rituals and funeral rites.

The botanical name of the cornflower is centaurea.- This is the Latin designation of the plant, which comes from the Greek word "kentaureion". It is this name that is associated with the centaur Chiron, the famous Greek mythological doctor who knew the healing properties of many plants, including cornflower.

There is also a version that Latin name cornflower ("centaurea") means "one hundred yellow flowers". In our country, cornflower is associated with blue, but in nature there are also yellow, purple, blue, white and pink cornflowers.

Botanical description of cornflower

Cornflower belongs to herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae family. Nowadays, there are more than 550 species of this beautiful wild flower. There are perennial, biennial and annual cornflower flowers.

Wildflowers are found in different parts light: northern and South America, Eurasia, Africa (tropics), as well as one species - in Austria. The height of cornflowers can reach one hundred and twenty centimeters. The flowering period of cornflowers is from June to September.

Symbolism of the cornflower

Currently, cornflower in the language of flowers means: “I don’t dare to express my feelings to you!”.

In addition, an elegant plant symbolizes trust, fidelity, openness, delicacy, grace and simplicity. Usually cornflowers are given to girls to show their sympathy and good location. Also, such a present is interpreted as an offer of friendship or a renewal of acquaintance.

The famous Russian translator and poet D. P. Oznobishin in the book “Selam, or the language of flowers” ​​highlighted the following meaning of cornflower: “be simple as he is.”

When compiling this edition, Dmitry Petrovich translated a German book published in 1823 in Berlin, supplementing it with new plant names. The publication was very popular among young people of that time.

Among the ancient Slavs, two interesting holidays are associated with wild flowers cornflowers: “the ear went to the field”, as well as the “birthday sheaf”. The first holiday was celebrated by our ancestors at the time when the first ears appeared on the field.

Young people gathered on the outskirts of their village near the rye field, standing opposite each other in two rows. Then the girls and boys firmly held hands, along which a girl decorated with blue flowers of cornflowers walked. After that, the couples moved from the last rows to the first. This action continued until the girl walked hand in hand to the field, where she descended to the ground.

On the field of rye, she plucked several ears of corn, after which the whole procession went home, singing ritual songs. The second holiday took place before the harvest. The first sheaf that women gathered in the field was decorated with cornflowers. He was called "birthday" and solemnly carried to his house with songs.

Our ancestors loved to make beautiful wreaths from cornflowers, which they then hung in the house. It was believed that these field plants able to drive away crickets. Also, cornflowers were very often the main element in the embroidery of our ancestors-craftswomen.

Made from cornflowers and natural dyes: the plucked extreme petals of the flowers were used to create blue dye, and the tubular petals were used to create a beautiful rich blue dye. It is known that natural paints made from cornflower flowers are very resistant. This is also evidenced by the fact that the wreath of cornflowers found in the tomb did not lose its blue color after millennia.

Legends of cornflowers

There are many beautiful legends associated with wild flowers cornflowers. In Russian legends, the name of this wondrous plant associated with the old legend about the love of a beautiful mermaid and an ordinary plowman Vasily.

Two hearts in love could not decide where it is better to live in water or on land. As a result, the mermaid turns her lover into a beautiful blue flower that resembles the blue of water.

According to German tradition, blue cornflowers are small fragments of the sky, in which a golden field of rye fell in love. And even now you can see that with every breath of the wind, the ears of rye bend towards the beautiful cornflowers, quietly whispering wonderful words of love.

Healing properties of the flower

Cornflowers have been actively used in medicine and cosmetology since ancient times. Due to its antiviral and antibacterial properties, a large number useful substances cornflowers irreplaceable assistants during treatment various diseases.

The plant is widely used in folk medicine as a diuretic, as well as a choleretic agent. In addition, cornflowers have anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects. In cosmetology flower cornflower used as a tonic. It is believed that the plant also has a rejuvenating effect.

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