Dictionary of Plant Lore

"Many plant names derive from superstition, folk lore, or primal beliefs. Other names are purely descriptive and can serve to explain the meaning of the botanical name. Still other names come from literary sources providing rich detail of the transmission of words through the ages." "From the common red poppy known as "Blind Man" to Beauty-Berry, a beautiful American shrub, this guide provides the most comprehensive listing of terms from the plant world. Written for plant scientists, linguists, botanists, historians, and plant enthusiasts, Dictionary of Plant Lore lists 30,000 vernacular and literary English names of wild and cultivated plants. Botanical names are followed by a brief account of the meaning of the name and detailed commentary on common usage, genesis, and evolution is included to provide a greater understanding of the plants."--BOOK JACKET.