marigolds
Mary's gold - a religious name then.
Flowering plant, coloured leaves and nectar for insect
pollination rather than wind. 100 million years ago when we were
hunter-gatherers in Africa.
Celebrations including funerals. Central to Indian religious festivals - I
got a garland as I got off the plane.
Secrete a chemical that repels pests and worms. Useful for tomatoes and corpses.
Flavouring in cooking, wine and porridge.
And a film - 'The Exotic Marigold Hotel'.
nettles
I read somewhere that they were good for caterpillars. Talboys has a few clumps next to the boulodrome, so he kindly donated one. No caterpillars yet.
European originally, more widespread now. In abandoned human dwellings along with ashes, bones and rubbish - 'all that is least glorious'. Also land next to farms and roadside verges, at the expense of wild flowers.
It's hairy. They stick into skin and deposit very irritating chemicals, producing dermatitis. Defence against grazing animals.
They do have their uses. Clothing (eg. uniforms), rucksacs, green-yellow dye, food (tea, beer) and some people rub the leaves on aching joints.
And it's a myth that dock is the antidote. But it works for me.
sunflower
Did anyone know it is the BP logo?
Cultivated for 5000 years. Edible roots known as Jerusalem artichokes. Seeds for bread and porridge. Oil for cooking. Waste fed to livestock.
An obsession of the bloke with one ear. He painted loads. Said to be a genius.
They look great. This one is a bush.
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