Petal Duster Photograph by Connie Handscomb

Petal Duster

by Connie Handscomb

Canvas Print

$70

Framed Print

$79

Art Print

$23

Poster

$23

Metal Print

$76

Acrylic Print

$84

Wood Print

$56

Throw Pillow

$28

Duvet Cover

$135

Shower Curtain

$70

Bath Towel

$40

Tote Bag

$29

Weekender Tote Bag

$59

Zip Pouch

$27

Portable Battery Charger

$48

Greeting Card

$5.98

iPhone Case

$27

Beach Towel

$40

Round Beach Towel

$89

Weekender Tote Bag

$59

Title

Petal Duster

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

The system of nature, of which man is a part, tends to be self-balancing, self-adjusting, self-cleansing.
~ E.F. Schumacher

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Calendula (pot marigold)
Calendula officinalis

Family : Asteraceae

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the marygold, that goes to bed with the sun, and with him rises weeping
~ Wm. Shakespeare

Linnaeus noticed the flowers open at 9 in morning, and close at 3 in the afternoon.
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Formerly known in England as "Marygold" honoring the Virgin Mary, this is one of the oldest cultivated flowers. Calendula officinalis is derived from the Latin 'kalendae', meaning 'the day of the new moon' (it is said to bloom at the start of any month of the year); the Latin 'officinalis', means it is is "official" or "useful" , and could be sold in apothecary (this stands true for all plants with the 'officinalis' designation).

While today, we use it as a garnish, the Romans grew it for medicinal reasons and in medieval Europe, it was sold in barrels in markets for use as a soup base for broths (here is where it became known as pot marigold).

Herbalists use it in teas, and in the kitchen, the edible leaves are used in salads (said to 'to comfort the heart and the spirits'), as well as provide us with Vitamin C and phosphorus. Used as a substitute for saffron, it became known as the poor man's saffron (or Egyptian). During the Civil War in North America, it was used to treat open wounds. It is antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. It is used for gastrointestinal problems, as a gargle for sore throats, for respiratory and skin ailments, and to detoxify the body.

The yellow dye from the flowers has coloured butter ... and hair.

A bit of folklore: sowing the seeds in a lover's footprints would keep the lover faithful. More: if some marigold petals are placed under your pillow, your dreams will come true.

Source:
Homegrown Tea [Cassie Liversidge]
Medicinal Herbs: Complete Guide for N. American Herb Gardeners [P.Turcotte]
Clay Perry's Fantastic Flowers [Text: M.Perry]

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This plant is very versatile and useful in so many ways .. in fact, from this angle, it looked to me like a feather duster :)