Why is this called the Black Widow?
By Ajay
London, United Kingdom
I have always wondered why this is called the Black Widow? Can anyone enlighten me?
- 31 Jan, 2007
Answers
Mourning widow the flowers hold themselves down
11 Feb, 2007
I think it is to do with the purple colour of the flowers. In Christian symbolism, the colour purple is associated with mourning. This colour asociation extends even beyond Christendom. For instance, purple-coloured cloth is used to signify mourning and death in the Pacific Islands (the recent Royal death in Tonga being a case in point).
20 Feb, 2007
Thank you for your answers
24 Feb, 2007
It's also called Dusky widow...or dusky cranesbill...it's a geranium.
28 Jul, 2008
Geranium phaeum, useful for shady places and seeds about gently. The Mourning Widow.
Jardiniere
2 Oct, 2011
Goldfinches like the seeds.
21 Feb, 2012
Also supposed to be that the flowers resemble the bonnets worn by widows.
29 May, 2012
Hi Ajay. I've seen it called a mourning widow before, apparently because the purple of the flowers looks sultry.
31 Jan, 2007