For decades there have been superstitions associated with the negative energy of plants. Superstitious people are convinced that the presence in the house of flowers “muzhegonov” threatens the owner with loneliness, discord in the family and even infertility, because such plants weaken male energy. And even not superstitious girls in an effort to find family happiness try not to green their apartments, especially bedrooms, with “dangerous” flowers.
The origin of the omen and whether it is worth believing
All superstitions are based on human beliefs. In our opinion, the omen is an interpretation of what happens in times of unenlightenment. But even in the 21st century people tend to believe in mysticism and myths, endowing plants with supernatural powers and absolving themselves of blame for selfishness, grumpiness, slovenliness and other character traits that discourage men.
Based on statistics on the number of divorces, the rate has steadily increased in recent years, although “muzhegons” were also begged in the Soviet era. But that’s not how they chased their husbands away. And it is not uncommon to divorce couples who have no flowers at all in their homes.
The 10 colors of mugwort
It is believed that the male plant symbolizes celibacy. It weakens the male energy, so he can not be with the flower in the same room. Several plants are endowed with such powers. They are divided into two groups:
Surviving men out of the house (divorce, death) – Ivy, Scindapsus;
Violets, monsters…
For the record!Referring to the practice of feng shui, superstitious people talk about the prohibition for single women to keep blooming senpilia (violets) in the house. In fact, the followers of Taoism could not claim such a thing, because the first exhibition of senpolis was held in 1893.
Ivy
“To keep an ivy is to lose a husband.”. The plant tops the rating of “dangerous” indoor flowers. The plant with “maple” leaves is also known as hedera. It is represented by evergreen lianas in the family Araliaceae. In the nature it prefers the shady woods where it braids tree trunks with its long flexible shoots. Small roots enable it to climb up to 20 meters high. Common ivy is grown at home: it is used for vertical landscaping.
The young plants are densely covered with small, dark green leaves with three to five lobes. Decorativeness is provided by lighter veins that create an unusual pattern. As it grows, the leaves take on an oval shape. Flowers gathered in shield-like inflorescences are of no ornamental value.
There are more than 100 varieties of the type species. They vary in the size and color of the leaf plates. Variegated varieties – with spots – are especially prized. Dense foliage makes ivy an effective air purifier in the apartment. Hedera is a medicinal plant. Its leaves contain biologically active substances with the following effects:
expectorant;
Spasmodic;
anti-inflammatory;
antimicrobial;
antifungal.
Hoya
Perennial evergreen liana. Its strong shoots are covered with succulent leaves with a smooth, shiny skin that looks like wax. The plant owes its physiological peculiarity to the appearance of another name – “wax ivy”. The vines grow up to 10 m long. It is said that “the longer the plant, the farther the man”.
The development of the crop is sequential. Key stages:
Emergence of a bare shoot covered with a smooth purple-brown skin.
Acquisition of green coloring by the stem.
Leaf formation.
Development of aerial roots in the nodes.
Stem hardening.
The leaves are petiolate. Their fleshy structure gives the plant a resemblance to a succulent. As they mature, they thin and become matted. Its maximum length is 8 cm and its width is 5 cm. The hoia blooms all summer long into mid-autumn. The duration of flowering ensures a gradual opening of the buds. A single corolla lasts up to 3 weeks. During flowering it exudes a strong but pleasant aroma.
Scindapsus
In its natural habitat, the semi-epiphytic liana grows on tree trunks. The height to which it can climb is 15 meters. To cling to a tree and twine it, to spill over to a neighboring one, the plant has aerial roots along with ligneous roots. In nature, the liana is considered a parasitic weed because of its ability to take over large areas.
Under artificially created conditions, the climbing plant does not reach such impressive size. But it is very undemanding and ornamental. In cultivation scindapsus is represented by lianas with bright green foliage and variegated forms. The fleshy, oval or heart-shaped leaf plates are attached to the shoots alternately. At home, it is difficult to achieve a bloom that produces a cob covered with a veil.
Cissus
Vine from the Vine family. In the literature there is its folk name “pomegranate” or “birch tree. The genus is numerous and includes about 300 varieties. Growth areas are concentrated in tropical and subtropical climates. In temperate latitudes, the plant is grown in the house as an ampel – in hanging cachepots. In a favorable climate, similar to that of nature, the plant is characterized by rapid growth.
Like all climbing plants, the cissus has tendrils needed to cling to a support and grow upward. Small, unsightly flowers have no decorative value. In addition, it is rare to see them in indoor cultivation. Florists use the flower for landscaping. The beautiful foliage can vary in shape, depending on whether it belongs to the type species. The leaf blades are noted for their dissected and solid leaves.
Diffenbachia
A popular houseplant from the rainforests of South America is also among the mugwort flowers. The origin of the superstition, we believe, is due to the poisonous sap. The latter is released when the green mass is damaged. If it gets on the mucous membranes (nose, mouth, eyes), it can cause burns. Because of this circumstance, diffenbahia is more often grown on a warm balcony and in other rooms where children and animals do not have access.
Leaves of large size with beautiful light spots (variegated forms) look spectacular. The plant is herbaceous. But its powerful shoots look a lot like trunks. Leaves are attached to them with long petioles. Very easy to grow. The main thing is not to allow the substrate to become too wet.
Monster
The name comes from the word “monster”, “beast”. But the flower is not so named for its ability to drive men away. When European travelers first arrived in the rainforest, they saw enormous plants with ravenously rugged leaves. The roots, which resemble long, numerous “legs” growing into the ground, are also frightening.
Today, the monster is a popular houseplant, prized for its spectacular leaves and ease of care. However, it does have a peculiarity: Before rainy weather, the monstera actively evaporates excess moisture. The fumes can cause headaches.
Hibiscus
Considered, “Chinese rose – husband from the threshold and many others”. Another name for the plant, “hibiscus,” is often found in the literature. On window sills it came from the subtropics of Southeast Asia, North Africa, Central and South America. A numerous genus is represented by the Malwa family. It includes 241 species, including perennial herbs, shrubs, small trees.
Shrubby forms decorate the interior of apartments. They are formed by dark brown or reddish, smooth, densely branched shoots. The latter are covered with leathery leaf plates colored bright green. They are slightly split and pointed. Single large, very ornamental flowers. The color is mostly white, pink or scarlet.
Cyperus
Perennial with herbaceous shoots. They have knots at the top that are fairly close together. Leaf blades, like umbrellas, grow from closely spaced internodes. Only a few species are suitable for indoor cultivation.
But you should not give them up because of prejudice, because the plant is moisture-loving and shade-tolerant. Cyperus is often used to decorate aquariums, growing in semi-covered, shaded areas where other plants would not do well.
Violet
In indoor floriculture, plants are represented by low-growing evergreen shrubs. They are formed by shortened shoots. The root rosette consists of tufted leaf plates that are rounded and leathery to the touch.
Blooms are long-lasting and very beautiful. With the onset of the phase blossoms into cyst-shaped inflorescences of simple or terry flowers. Although the plant is very decorative, this is the time when the violet is infused with “dangerous” abilities to drive away men.
Ficus
The plant has been awarded the title of “muzhegon” because, according to the superstition, it drives away unmarried girls from suitors. It discourages entry into serious relationships. According to another version, it is believed that the ficus spoils the male character, turning into an unwanted guest in the house where the culture grows.
Although, according to studies conducted by biologists, ficus, because of the abundance of foliage, being in an enclosed room, performs a cleansing function. Its shoots filter the air space and absorb harmful substances, saturates it with oxygen. Absorbed toxic compounds are converted into amino acids and sugars by the organic substances found in the leaves of the plant.
In our opinion, houseplants can’t hurt or harm (if you follow the safety precautions for taking care of poisonous plants). You should not refuse to decorate the interior with them and even more so throw away the flowers, unreservedly trusting the omens.
Sources:
www.
utevoditel/sovety-sadovodam-ogorodnikam/tsvetok-diffenbakhiya/
/article/?ELEMENT_ID=4481SECTION_ID=125
Encyclopedia of houseplants. Natalia Sheshko, Natalia Logacheva. Year of publication – 2006.
