Without flowers, there would be no us. Calendula: A short tale of Blossoming Legacy
Sun-Kissed and Star-Loved: Memories of a Golden Child- the first day of the month-"Kalendae".
We wouldn't exist without flowers.
Imagine this was the Mesozoic Era, a time before mammals and birds existed, when dinosaurs and early reptiles shaped the landscapes with their slow, majestic movements.
In the grand scheme of cosmic time, we were but a distant dream. We are like the final seconds of the last day in a 365-day cosmic year. Indeed, we are that young on this planet.
Our planet was a very different place two hundred million years ago, when cold-blooded reptiles ruled and towering conifers stood very tall.
Today's colors are more vivid than in this primordial world, where coniferous trees and ferns painted the land in shades of green against a brown and green landscape.
Still, this era was anything but boring; it was one of dynamic evolution and subtle beauty.
Later in this era, particularly in the Cretaceous period, flowering plants diversified to add new colors and complexities to the flora, portraying a more colorful and nuanced world than fossils indicated.
Darwin struggled to understand how flowers could appear out of nowhere and take over a landscape so completely.
This is the short story:
Plants evolved from simple, single-celled prokaryotes 3.5 billion years ago in Earth's oceans.
Cyanobacteria and other early life forms photosynthesised, increasing atmospheric oxygen.
Endosymbiosis, when a larger eukaryotic cell engulfed a photosynthetic cyanobacterium 1.5 billion years ago, created chloroplasts.
This produced algae, including green algae, the ancestors of all are land plants.
Land plants like liverworts and mosses evolved to survive crises 500 million years ago.
Mosses and liverworts are tiny plants that produce spores instead of flowers and seeds.
Vascular plants developed water- and nutrient-transporting tissues 420 million years ago to grow taller and colonize diverse environments.
Gymnosperms produced seeds without fruits 360 million years ago, and angiosperms, which appeared 140 million years ago, rapidly diversified with seeds in fruits and flowers attracting pollinators.
Angiosperms, the most diverse and ecologically successful group of plants, thrive in almost every habitat and shape Earth's ecosystems.
One thing led to another, and here we are: proteins changed the world.
Flowers produced fruit—the amazing transformation of sunlight into sugar. After fruit, plants could trade sweetness for an increase in energy to a mate with animals. Different mammals with warm blood evolved as animals savored fruit sugars and converted them into energy and proteins.
My soft spot is Calendula (Galbenele in Romanian, which means yellow flowers).
The Calendula, one of the oldest cultivated flowers, known by many names, signifies the first day of the month in Latin, kalendae, also the English word "calendar" is derived from this word.
Its rich history goes back to the Third Century BC, gracing the gardens of 5th Century France and remaining under cultivation for six centuries.
In ancient times, both Romans and Greeks used the flower in religious rituals and ceremonies. Many homes in Central America still use these flowers as an altar decoration during the Day of the Dead celebration, or as Poor Man’s Saffron.
Calendulas have filled gardens since forever and in 1200 crossed the ocean with the first European settlers to the New World. They were prized for their vibrant color, used to enhance foods, soups, and stews.
In Joseph Breck’s 1851 book, "The Book of Flowers," he describes it as:
“a hardy annual, common to the gardens time out of mind, and formerly much used in soups and broths…”
The petals found their way into puddings, dumplings, and even wine.
By the 1800s, doctors discovered the plant's medicinal properties. Used as a remedy, Calendula could stop bleeding, and during the Civil War, dried petals were a staple in medical bags to aid wound healing.
Growing, drawing, drinking, and using calendula cream are some of the simple joys in my life that I treasure as natural gifts.
Calendula's story is more than just about a flower; it's about a legacy. It has become imprinted in our history and culture, from prehistoric to modern gardens.
Calendula's story lives on, whether it's adding vibrant colors to a good meal, providing a healing touch in times of need, or creating a simple garden delight. It is, after all, my father's favorite method of healing for everything, which he learned from his mother and her mother from her mother.
My plant spirit is Calendula, which is why I wrote this little poem and collected fresh ones many times in my drawing book.
Sun, warm, light, and strong,
Made a gold-haired child from rays of light.
She flew in the night and planted far deep.
The next day, she woke up as a flower, bathing in radiant silence.
Father Sun and Mother Earth gave breath to
Calendula, an orange spirit who
Traveled far from France’s purple fields to England’s green.
She dug deep, wide roots, then bloomed and grew,
Healing wounds of men who fought the war,
Calming the fear unsettling souls.
She was used, drawn, and cherished more and more.
And centuries ahead, in each bloom, I see that face,
Of the golden child in nature’s place.
Transcending life through time and space,
Through life’s cycles and fragile human fate.
I was that golden-haired child, traveling far,
Remembering how long I’ve come from Father Sun and Mother’s stars.
©katerinanedelcu
For the first time since I began writing, my geology degree has proven useful. I had no use for it after completing my geochemistry thesis, and although I wanted to work in paleobotany, I never pursued it. I draw and document plants in pencil, make nature the center of my cosmic life.
I hope you have enjoyed this short natural history itinerarium, and if you have, please let me know in any way you feel like it—through words, smiles, or subscribing.
Lovely article and poem about our beautiful gift on Earth, flowers 💐.
I’ve always felt like calendula had many mysteries even though I’m not sure why, but it was fascinating to learn how long the plant has been around and how many things it’s used for. Your drawings are stunning by the way. Absolutely beautiful.