Cornflower - Germany

Centaurea cyanus - The cornflower, native to Europe, is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is listed as an endangered plant because of the intensification of agriculture in its former native habitat. Although considered a weed, it is a beneficial weed. The cornflower is edible, helps to enrich soils, and serves as a natural pest deterrent. Through its use as an ornamental plant and being appreciated for the vivid blue color, the cornflower is cultivated throughout the world. 

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The Congress of Vienna was convened to re-establish order in Europe following the Napoleonic Wars. It sat from June of 1814 to September of 1815. One of its formations was the German Confederation, a loosely assembled league of 39 sovereign states; Austria, Prussia, and Bavaria were the largest and more powerful. Following several successful wars against Denmark, Austria, and France, the confederation was united under the leadership of Prussia to become the German Empire in 1871.

German Chamomile - Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein fell into Prussian hands in 1864. The German Navy pressed for a canal to be built across the Jutland Peninsula to connect the North and Baltic Seas. Work began in 1887 and was completed in 1895. The original name was Kaiser Wilhelm Kanal, but it was changed to Nord-Ostsee Kanal after World War I.

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Matricaria recutita - German chamomile is one of several species of chamomile plants belonging to the Asteraceae family; daisies and sunflowers. The name is derived from the Greek word “chamaimēlon” and translates as “earth-apple,” a reference to the plant’s strong scent. Chamomile is an annual plant growing between 15 and 60 centimeters. Flowers bloom in early or middle summer. Although considered a weed, the plant has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties and is often harvested for medicinal purposes.

Dandelion - East Germany

 

 

Germany was divided into four occupation zones after World War II: American, British, French, and Russian. When the occupying powers were unable to reach an agreement to bring their zones together in a unified Germany, the Democratic Republic of Germany was formed from the Russian sector in October 1949.

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Taraxacum officinale - The name dandelion is derived from the French “dent de lion” and translates as “lion’s tooth.” It is often dismissed as a weed, but the dandelion has many beneficial features. The entire plant, roots, leaves, and flowers are edible. The roots can be roasted and ground up as a coffee substitute, the leaves are made into salads or added to soups, and the flowers can be eaten raw; young flowers have a distinctive taste of honey. The dandelion, an early bloomer, is the first to provide bees and other insects with nectar and pollen.

Edelweiss - Switzerland

Leontopodium alpinum - Edelweiss is a small alpine flowering plant growing no larger than 20 centimeters, typical of a high altitude plant. Its German name translates as "noble white." Edelweiss is native to Europe and limited to altitudes ranging between 1,800 and 3,000 meters. It has a dense layer of woolly hair covering the leaves and flowers. Edelweiss is no longer easy to find in its native habitat; the high rate of collection by admires has placed the plant under strict protection in several countries. 

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Seen as a corridor for attacking Austria, Switzerland was occupied by France in 1798. The French abolished the canton system and centralized the government. The uprisings against French rule was intense enough for Napoleon to institute the Act of Mediation in 1803, an attempt to partially restore the cantons to their original status. The Congress of Vienna convened in 1815 to settle the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars. It restored Swiss independence and recognized its pledge of permanent neutrality.

Spear Thistle - Scotland

The terms “firth” and “loch” are of Gaelic origin and used to describe water areas in Scotland. A firth is a sea inlet, usually formed through glaciation; Moray Firth is Scotland’s largest firth. A loch is a lake or a long and narrow indentation of a coastline. Loch Lomond, at 75 square kilometers is the largest lake in Scotland.

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Cirsium vulgare - The spear thistle is a biennial plant, a plant needing two years to complete its lifecycle; the rosette forms in the first year, the flowering stems form in the second year. Spear thistles are ruderal plants. This is a plant species able to adapt or colonize landscapes recently disturbed by natural or human activity. The flowers are a rich source of nectar for pollinating insects and the seeds are eaten by various birds. A long downy pappus, tufts of hairy fibers attached to the end of the seed, allow the wind to assist in seed dispersal. 

Pig Vine - Falkland Islands

In size, the Falkland Islands are the largest British Overseas Territory. Fuegians may have visited and attempted to settle the area in prehistoric times, but the islands were uninhabited when Europeans explorers arrived. The Falklands had been sighted on numerous occasions, but the date of the first landing is in doubt. 

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Gunnera magellanica - The Magellanic forest region covers the southern sections of Argentina and Chile; it is the southern most area of the world to feature forests. These broadleaf and mixed forests are subjected to cool summers and subpolar winds known for being harsh. The flora of the Magellanic region has adapted to this environment. The pig vine is a ground level perennial with small leaves, about 6 centimeters across, and tiny hairy fibers coating the edge of the leaves. These fibers serve as an insulator against the cold weather.