What plants were called 'Stones'?
April 8, 2002
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
The ancient Greeks named the plants, Orchis, knowing only the terrestrial species native to Europe and the Middle East. The plants were named for the twin tubers, or orchises (testicles) most of the plants possessed.
Well into the 17th Century, plants and animals were believed to come from spontaneous generation. A rather odd belief considering people had been planting seeds for thousands of years. This belief stemmed from the account of Samson killing a lion and later finding bees and honey in its body (Judges 14).
The prime theory at the time resulted from farmers noticing that terrestrial orchids were found in pastures. In the 1600s, Athanasius Kircher, reasoned if bees and wasps were generated in the carcasses of stallions and bulls, then orchids which had flowers resembling those insects must come from the fallen semen of those animals.
John Gerard was the first herbalist to attempt to classify the orchids. Those with the twin tubers, he called 'Stones' and sorted those into Dog's, Foole's, Goat's, Fox, Fenny, and Serapia, the last named for the Alexandrian god of "lascivious wantonness". The Doctrine of Signatures taught appearance indicated usage; with Orchis, virility was assured.
Gerard accepted the old claims made when he wrote, "Dioscorides writeth...That if men do eat of the great full or fat roots of these kinds...they cause them to beget male children: and if women eat of the lesser dry or barren root which is withered...they shall bring forth females."
"Our age useth all the kinds of stones to stir up venery (lust), and the Apothecaries mix them...serving that purpose. But the best and most effectual...are not to be taken indifferently, but the harder and fuller...for that which is wrinkled is less profitable."
It is truly remarkable that with this kind folklore the orchids were not driven to extinction.
Jurgen Bohm with the Saarland University Hospital has posted 100 photographs of terrestrial orchids from germinating seedlings to orchids in their habitats.
Click here to view his photographs
Click on the individual links.
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Living Stones (Lithops) Plant of the Week - November 22, 2004
Soldier's Orchid (Zeuxine strateumatica) Plant of the Week - March 10, 2003
What was the surprising use of cowhorn orchids? Herbal Folklore - June 6, 2005
Why are wasps seduced by fly orchids? Renfield's Garden - July 31, 2002
What Aztec orchid was a love potion? Herbal Folklore - December 31, 2001
Nun Orchid (Phaius tancarvilleae) Plant of the Week - April 21, 2003
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