October Birth Flowers

Marigold / Calendula

Sacred affection is shown with the marigold.

A myth describing which seems to be creation of the marigold is mentioned in the story of Clytie and Apollo.

The marigolds, genus Calendula L., are a genus of about 20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to Mexico and Central America, the Mediterranean region and Macaronesia.

The leaves of this plant are 5-18 cm long, simple, and usually roughly hairy. The flower heads range from pale yellow to deep orange, and are 3-7 cm across, with both ray florets and disc florets. The petals of the Pot Marigold are spicy and are edible, added to dishes as a garnish.

      CLICK TO ENLARGE

Cosmos

Cosmos flowers symbolize peace, modesty, creation, and wholeness.

Cosmos is a genus of about twenty species of annual and perennial plants of the Asteraceae family, including the garden flowers Cosmos bipinnatus (also known as "Mexican Aster"),Cosmos atrosanguineus ("Chocolate Cosmos") and Cosmos sulphureus ("Yellow Cosmos").

They are native to scrub and meadow areas of the southern United States and Central America. Cosmos flowers have radiate flower heads of variously colored flowers and opposite pinnate leaves widely cultivated as garden annuals. These flowers are very fragrant, chocolate cosmos even smell like chocolate.

CLICK TO ENLARGE