Nice to meet you. They call me Moluccella laevis. I know, my name doesn’t exactly roll off your tongue. It’s pronounced ‘mol-yoo-SELL-uh LAY-viss’. Most people call me Bells of Ireland, although strangely enough, I’m not from Ireland. Must be my green color. And my bells, you ask? Well, those are actually my green calyces along with my tiny white flowers. Some people like the way I smell, but I won’t be offended if you think I smell bitter. As long as you don’t get offended if my leaves irritate you a bit! Just be sure to remove my leaves before using me in your wedding bouquet, and everything will be just hunky-dory.
- Bells of Ireland were first cultivated in Belgium in the late 1500s
- Bells of Ireland are native to Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus
- Some people find the prickly foliage irritating, causing rashes on the skin
In the flower world, Bells of Ireland represent luck. So, if you’re feeling like a lucky bride, why not carry some Moluccella down the aisle with you?
Want to see more? Check out my board on Pinterest.
Sources: NC State University, Moluccella laevis (Wikipedia), The Seed Site, Language of Flowers (Wikipedia)
