MIGNONETTE

 

MIGNONETTE - RESEDA 

RESEDA- Latin resedo- to quiet 

The plant having formerly been thought to act as a sedative.  A genus of about twenty six alternate leaved herbs, natives of Europe, Western Asi,a and North Africa, including the British species. 

Few of the species have any interest as garden plants. Reseda Luteola or Dyer's Weld was formerly extensively cultivated as a dye weed, for it produced a beautiful yellow dye, and from its juice the artist's colour known as Dutch Pink was obtained. R. alba was introduced from South Europe at the end of the sixteenth century, and is occasionally seen in cultivation and has established itself in waste places near our coasts, after being turned out of gardens. R. odorata, the fragrant Mignonette, was introduced from Egypt less than a hundred and fifty years ago, but the country of its origin is quite unknown. 

"This fragrant bloom of garden birth, 
Is modest, yet persuasive- 

Because the sweet it saps from earth, 

By fullness is invasive 

In truest measure of my love. 

Of all the flowers I've met; 

Une herbe d'amour- petite in girth, 

Delicious Mignonette 

   MRS MD WELLCOME 

References:

1. The Mayflower 1904

2. Vick's Magazine 1884