Once more, the strawberry is one of the fruits that has been dedicated to her; and a species of nut, popularly known as the molluka bean, is in many parts called the “Virgin Mary’s nut.”  The cherry-tree, too, has long been consecrated to the Virgin from the following tradition:—­ Being desirous one day of refreshing herself with some cherries which she saw hanging upon a tree, she requested Joseph to gather some for her.  But he hesitated, and mockingly said, “Let the father of thy child present them to you.”  But these words had been no sooner uttered than the branch of the cherry-tree inclined itself of its own accord to the Virgin’s hand.  There are many other plants associated in one way or another with the Virgin, but the instances already given are representative of this wide subject.  In connection, too, with her various festivals, we find numerous plants; and as the author of “Flower-lore” remarks, “to the Madonna were assigned the white iris, blossoming almond-tree, narcissus, and white lily, all appropriate to the Annunciation.”  The flowers appropriate to the “Visitation of Our Lady” were, in addition to the lily, roses red and white, while to the “Feast of Assumption” is assigned the “Virgin’s bower,” “worthy to be so called,” writes Gerarde, “by reason of the goodly shadow which the branches make with their thick bushing and climbing, as also for the beauty of the flowers, and the pleasant scent and savour of the same.”

Many plants have been associated with St. John the Baptist, from his having been the forerunner of Christ.  Thus, the common plant which bears his name, St. John’s wort, is marked with blood-like spots, known as the “blood of St. John,” making their appearance on the day he was beheaded.  The scarlet lychnis, popularly nicknamed the “great candlestick,” was commonly said to be lighted up for his day.  The carob tree has been designated “St. John’s bread,” from a tradition that it supplied him with food in the wilderness; and currants, from beginning to ripen at this time, have been nicknamed “berries of St. John.”  The artemisia was in Germany “St. John’s girdle,” and in Sicily was applied to his beard.

In connection with Christ’s birth it may be noted that the early painters represent the Angel Gabriel with either a sceptre or spray of the olive tree, while in the later period of Italian art he has in his hand a branch of white lilies.[11] The star which pointed out the place of His birth has long been immortalised by the Ornithogalum umbellatum, or Star of Bethlehem, which has been thought to resemble the pictures descriptive of it; in France there is a pretty legend of the rose-coloured sainfoin.  When the infant Jesus was lying in the manger the plant was found among the grass and herbs which composed his bed.  But suddenly it opened its pretty blossom, that it might form a wreath around His head.  On this account it has been held in high repute.  Hence the practice in Italy of decking mangers at Christmas time with moss, sow-thistle, cypress, and holly. [12]