Cutting Corners
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Cutting Corners
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
We would like only, for once, to get to where we are already.
~ Martin Heidegger
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Cyclamen (Persian Violet; Sowbread)
Family : Primulaceae
Cyclamens grow from tubers (the corms were fed to pigs to enhance the
flavour of the pork,hence this pretty flower has the rather unfortunate nickname Sowbread). Different blooms vary with the seasons.The petals can be red, pink, white, or fuchsia; the leaves a contrasting green, white and purplish colour. When the petals spiral up and open over the plant, they look like they are standing in a strong wind (or a ballerina in a tutu).
While it prefers cooler temperatures, at least 17 species grows as a
wildflower in the warm Mediterranean, east to Iran and Russia, and in
Europe from France through to Yugoslavia, preferring the deciduous
mountain forests. Cultivation of this plant began in the 1890's, although the
pot plants are not as hardy (most potted plants originate from Syria).
Medicinally, it has been used for centuries. The Greeks used it to heal
wounds. During the Renaissance, it was used for earaches. Homeopaths
make tinctures from the tubers to cleanse the bowels.
This plant was popular, and plundered; its natural population severely
dwindled so that today many species (such as the European Purple
Sowbread - Cyclamen purpurascens) are protected by law in many
European countries.
It has been said that if you place a cyclamen next to your bed, you will be
assured a good night's rest : it will chase away bad dreams, protect you
from negative influences, and release pain you might have from your past. It was even believed they could ward off bad weather. Symbolically, the cyclamen can mean diffidence or resignation.
Sources:
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Magical Plants [S. Gregg]
Wildflowers Of The World [Everard; Morley]
The Wild Flowers Book [E. Tomanova]
Clay Perry's Fantastic Flowers [Text M. Perry]
The Romantic Language Of Flowers [Davies;Saunders]
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Exactly .. :) there are no corners on the cyclamen, they might as well have been cut away. There is just a smooth swirl of silky , crisp-edged petals that seem to melt as you look at them.
Captured in natural light; uncropped; unedited .... nature in all its splendour .. :)
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to Flower On Black for featuring this image
Uploaded
May 4th, 2017
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