The Folk-lore of Plants

This work offers a concise tour through the many ways people have imagined, revered, and feared the plant world. Drawing on traditions from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, it reveals how crops, trees, and herbs have been cast as spirits, lovers, and even mischievous wolves. The author blends clear explanations with vivid anecdotes, making the material accessible for anyone curious about cultural history.

Organised into topical chapters—ranging from plant worship and fairy lore to love charms, weather lore, and folk medicine—the book serves as a handy reference for students, storytellers, or garden enthusiasts. Illustrative stories, such as the Ojibwe reverence for tree souls or the German belief in a ‘grass‑wolf,’ bring the ancient superstitions to life. Readers will come away with a richer sense of how the vegetable kingdom has shaped myth, language, and everyday rituals across centuries.