Amaryllis

The Amaryllis is a very easy to grow flowering bulb commonly sold in the winter months for its ability to bloom indoors.

Protea

Because proteas have such different forms, the genus Protea was named in 1735 by Carolus Linnaeus after the Greek god Proteus who could change his form at will.

Hellebore

Folklore and historical usage:

Several legends surround the hellebore; in witchcraft it is believed to have ties to summoning demons.

Helleborus niger is commonly called the Christmas rose, due to an old legend that it sprouted in the snow from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give the Christ child in Bethlehem.

In Greek mythology, Melampus of Pylos used hellebore to save the daughters of the king of Argos from a madness, induced by Dionysus, that caused them to run naked through the city, crying, weeping, and screaming.

During the Siege of Kirrha in 585 BC, hellebore was reportedly used by the Greek besiegers to poison the city's water supply. The defenders were subsequently so weakened by diarrhea that they were unable to defend the city from assault.

Some historians believe that Alexander the Great died because of a hellebore overdose, when he took it as medication.

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(Funny... the last time I posted here was exactly one year ago today.)