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Carnation incarnations

Carnations belong to the genus Dianthus, a member of the vast family Clove(Caryophyllaceae), uniting more than 2000 species from 80 genera. The subject of industrial floriculture is mainly one type - Carnation large-flowered repaired(Dianthus caryophyllus var. semperflorens), but its common name - carnation - is used for other species grown in the open field. Whole genus Carnation (Dianthus) has over 300 species. Recently, another species has begun to be grown in industrial floriculture - Bearded carnation, or turkish(Dianthus barbatus), which was introduced to the culture in Britain as early as 1573.

Dianthus caryophyllus

Dianthus caryophyllus

There is a mention of the fact that the carnation was first discovered in the Far East, which, perhaps, is not without reason. One of the Chinese species - Chinese carnation (Dianthus sinense), was used in hybridization with Dianthus caryophyllus for obtaining industrial varieties.

The Mediterranean is considered the birthplace of carnations, which is the only place of natural growth of the species Dianthus caryophyllus, marked on the territory of Greece, Sicily and Sardinia.

There is some confusion with the numerous names of the carnation, each of which carries a piece of the amazing history of this culture, in ancient times tied, of course, to the Mediterranean.

Scarlet carnation

Theophrastus, who lived for about 300 BC., gave the plant the divine name Dianthus, dedicating it to Zeus (Di - Zeus, anthos - flower), most likely for its delicious aroma. Species name caryophillus (in Greek caryon - nut, phillon - leaf) borrowed from the Indian clove tree (Caryophyllus aromaticus = Eugenia caryophyllata), dried flower buds (buds) of which have long been used as a spice.

The fact that carnations were grown more than 2000 years ago is evidenced by the same Theophrastus: "The Greeks grew roses, levkoi, violets, daffodils and irises." Levkoy (gillyflower or gillofloure) Is the old English name for carnation. The French name "Clou de girofle" also means "levkoy". Occasionally Dianthus caryophyllus occurs wild in England, where it is believed to have been first introduced into the culture and may have naturalized.

The name "carnation", according to some, comes from the word "coronation", which meant a specific type of floral wreath used in Greek coronation rituals. Others argue that the name of the carnation has the Greek root "carnis" - flesh, as the original flowers of the carnation were pink-flesh-colored. Another interpretation is associated with the word "incarnation" - incarnation, which personifies God himself in the flesh.

In Greece, carnations were the most beloved flowers. According to Christian legend, when Jesus was carrying the cross to Calvary, Mary saw him and began to cry. Where she shed tears, carnations grew.

As in ancient Greece, the carnation was dedicated to Zeus, so in Rome it was called the flower of Jupiter in honor of one of the most revered gods. At the height of civilization, the carnation was an integral symbol for the Romans. The carnation is mentioned in the natural history of the Roman writer Pliny, dated 50 BC. Roman monks were engaged in the cultivation of carnations until the end of the 13th century.

A beautiful Italian legend tells of a young woman named Margarita who gave her beloved knight Orlando white carnations when he was called to war. Orlando was mortally wounded and blood stained the center of the flower. The carnation was returned to Margarita and she sowed the seeds. All plants grown from seeds had white flowers with a crimson center. Margarita remained faithful to Orlando and never married again. It has become a custom in Italy to give every girl born into a family a bouquet of white carnations with a dark red center.

It is a known historical fact that in the 13th century, when the crusaders were struck by the plague during the siege of Tunisia, they were treated with wine with leaves(but rather with petals) of carnations to calm the fever. English botanist John Gerardin the "General History of Plants", written in 1596,mentions that carnation flowers, mixed with sugar, were used to treat fevers and poisoning. Cloves were also used at that time to dye hair black and as a flavoring agent for beer, ale and wine.

In some countries, superstition has been associated with carnation. In Korea, girls used carnations to tell fortunes - they inserted three flowers into their hair to find out their fate. If the top flower died first, she faced the difficult last years of her life. If the average - the next years of life will bring grief. If the lower flower wilted before everyone else, the girl will be unhappy all her life.

Slovenian national symbol

Slovenian national symbol

The carnation has been one of the national symbols of Slovenia since the 16th century, when stylized red flowers became an element of traditional Slovenian ornament. By the 19th century, this element had become so popular that it was used in embroidery, wooden crafts, furniture decoration - necessarily a red carnation in combination with a blue decor. The carnation symbolized love for a child, a gift from God. Girls decorated hairstyles, dresses and scarves with embroidered carnations. A carnation embroidered on a flax field spoke of the beauty of the bride and prosperity in her home. The red carnation meant mercy and love. A bouquet of carnations, geraniums and rosemary, pinned to the bodice, symbolized love, loyalty and hope. It was used in folk customs and sung in Slovenian folk songs. Girls attached it to the chests of young men leaving for the army. In rural areas, especially in the highlands of Slovenia, they still like to decorate balconies, window sills, verandas of houses with carnations.

Portuguese carnation revolution

Portuguese carnation revolution

Scarlet carnations are the state symbol of Ohio, and this story began in the city of Alliance. Dr. Levy L. Lamborne, who bred French carnations imported in 1866, named the new scarlet seedling "Lambord Red." In 1867, Lamborne, a flower grower and politician, spoke out in an election campaign against William McKinley. Despite the heated debate of opponents, Lamborn gave McKinley a Lamborn Red boutonniere at every debate. When McKinley became a political star, he often said that the scarlet carnation was his lucky flower. As president, he constantly wore a boutonniere and gave each guest a flower from the bouquet on the table. On September 14, 1901, during the Pan American Exhibition in Buffalo, NY, he took out his boutonniere and presented it to a 12-year-old fan. Moments later, he was shot. On April 8, 1959, the Ohio State Legislature named the Alliance the City of Carnation, and on February 3, 1904, the carnation became the state flower of Ohio.

In 1907, the carnation in the United States became a symbol of maternal love and was chosen as the emblem of Mother's Day on the initiative of Anna Jarvis. “The white carnation is the most preferred because it best reflects maternal dignity: ... whiteness is a symbol of purity, fidelity; her scent is loved, her shape is beautiful, ”said Miss Jarvis. In Canada, it is customary to wear a red carnation if the mother is alive, or a white carnation if she is no longer there.

Chartreuse

Chartreuse

The carnation was a symbol of the Great October Socialist Revolution; the Bolsheviks attached red carnations or ribbons to their lapels. Do you remember the lines from the song: "Red carnation, companion of worries ..."?

The carnation became a symbol of the Portuguese revolution, which was named so - “the carnation revolution”. On April 25, 1974, a bloodless leftist coup took place in Lisbon, Portugal, which replaced the two-year fascist dictatorship with a liberal democratic regime. It was carnation season, and a resident of the city lowered a carnation into the rifle barrel of a soldier she met. Following her example, citizens began to distribute red carnations to soldiers and freed prisoners.

Clove oil

Clove oil

Besides cutting, cloves are still used for culinary purposes. Flower petals, which have a strong aroma, can be candied, used as additives in side dishes and salads, especially fruit ones, for flavoring lemonade, vinegar, oils, canned food and syrups. The Spanish and Romans loved the tangy taste of cloves. Probably, this wine was drunk in England in the XIV century, which led to the emergence of the English name for cloves "sop-in-wine" (additive-to-wine). However, skeptics argue that it could be a culinary clove. Rather, it was the petals of the clove that were added to the wine at some point, at least it was already grown in England at this time. Clove petals have been one of the ingredients used in the production of the famous French green Chartreuse liqueur since the 17th century.

Carnation in perfumery

Carnation in perfumery

Despite the strong aroma, essential oils are present in cloves in very small quantities. To produce 100 g of butter, 500 kg of flowers are needed! Clove oil is included in perfumery compositions of the best modern perfumes, including "Opium" by Yves Saint Laurent, "Lauren" by Ralph Lauren, "Red Door" by Elizabeth Arden, "Gucci No.1".

In Spain and North America, carnation flowers have long been considered antidote, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, sedatives. In Europe, cloves are a component of herbal medicines for the treatment of coronary, nervous disorders and fever.

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