Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Flowers: May – June. Height: 60 – 90cm (24 – 36in).
This plant has an interesting history in terms of its names. ‘Dame’ marks this flower as a favourite of women and mothers in medieval flower lore. It was called the Vesper-flower, because it emits its perfume in the evening and is scentless during the day. This is how the genus got its name Hesperis which means evening. Matronalis means ‘of the mother’ and the mother in question is probably Eve, a symbol of deceit, having tempted Adam to eat the apple which led to their banishment from the Garden of Eden. This association suggests why it was also called Eveweed.
Medicinal: A good herb for treating wounds and an antidote for insect stings and snakebite. Its leaves, rich in vitamin C, were used to prevent or cure scurvy. It was used in enemas for obstructions of the intestines.
Culinary: Its taste resembles garlic and the raw young leaves were used in salads.
