Ivan da Marya plant. A detailed description of the medicinal flower Ivan da Marya. The story of Kupala and Kostroma

We will use here and below the names rather folk than strictly botanical. Folk names: mariannika oakwood- Ivan da Marya, Ivanets, Ivanova grass, maryannik, brother and sister, pansies, two-flowered, yellowberry, scrofulous grass, fireflower; mariannika meadow- Petrovsky grass, magpie shavings, field cornflowers, kusharka, lucrets, jaundice; mariannika forest- oppression, mare grass; mariannika field- vertebrae, bell, Ivan da Marya, yellowhead, field grass.

Properties and application of Ivan da Marya

List of symbols

Photo by L. Golovneva - Oak maryannik

General information about the plant Ivan da Marya

Mariannik Dubravny (Melampyrum nemorosum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant with a pubescent stem. Leaves opposite, ovate-lanceolate. The flowers are light yellow, two-lipped, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. The fruit is an ovoid capsule. Seeds are large, oblong, brown or almost black. Plant height - 15-60 cm.

Photo by L. Golovneva - Oak maryannik, variety

The plant is distinguished by a particularly striking contrast of bracts of blue tones and bright yellow corollas. It is very decorative, therefore it often attracted the attention of painters and poets, but plucked into bouquets quickly fades. The flowers of Ivan da Marya produce abundant nectar and are deservedly considered a good honey plant.

The name Ivan da Marya in different areas can be given to several (different) herbaceous plants, the flowers of which (or the upper parts of the whole plant) are distinguished by the presence of two sharply distinguishable colors, most often yellow and blue or purple. Most often, the word Ivan da Marya is called the oak maryannik, less often the tricolor violet. Even less often, this name is given to meadow sage and periwinkle - they also have two brightly different colors.

Oak maryannik is found in the northern, middle and southwestern zones of the European part of Russia. It grows in forest clearings (sometimes in large massifs), edges, hills, in thickets of shrubs, on marshy meadows and chalk slopes. The most common plant in our meadows, clearings and edges of deciduous forests, where it blooms from late spring to early autumn (May-September).

Five types of maryannik grow in our zone: oak maryannik(M. nemorosum L.); maryannik field(M. arvensis L.); maryannik meadow(M. pratense L.); maryannik forest(M. silvaticum L.) and split mariannik(M. laciniatum Kosh).

In the photo - Mariannik meadow

In the photo - Maryannik forest

The most common maryanniki: meadow and cut. Mariannik meadow is very similar to Ivan da Marya, but only it does not have purple leaves, and the flowers are almost white. This type of maryannik is typical for coniferous forests, although it has the specific name "meadow".

In the photo - Mariannik field

Legends and traditions

Many legends associated with Ivan da Marya are dedicated to the symbolism of forbidden love. This is the tragic story of Kostroma and Kupala (Ivan and Marya), who fell in love with each other, not even suspecting that they were brother and sister. When they found out about this, Kupala threw himself into the fire (yellow flower of the plant), and Kostroma drowned herself (blue flower), after which they were reborn in the form of this plant. According to another version: Ivan-Kupala has a purple shirt, and Marya-Kostroma has a yellow handkerchief. Previously, this herb was called Kupala da Mavka. (sometimes Navka, i.e. mermaid - V.S.) - drowned Kostroma, which turned into a mermaid.

This story is directly timed to coincide with the Kupala holiday. It is on this day that the Ivan da Marya plant is torn, which has special properties.

Features of Ivan da Marya

Ivan da Marya (Oak Maryannik) and its healing properties

The plant is poisonous. The internal use of maryanniki, as poisonous plants, requires great care. It is known that the plant contains traces of alkaloids, glucoside melompicrite (dulcite), and in the seeds - a very poisonous glucoside rinanthin (aucubin), which has a narcotic and local irritant effect. In case of seed poisoning, weakness, drowsiness are observed, and cardiac activity is weakened.

Poisoning of sheep and horses can be observed when they are fed with grain and flour contaminated with maryannik seeds. Sick animals become drowsy, tremble, blood appears in their urine, and a heartbeat is noted. First aid consists in prescribing laxatives first, and then in conducting a course of symptomatic therapy (stimulating, cardiac, etc.).

Currently, Ivan da Marya is used only in traditional medicine.

Infusion of Ivan da Marya

An infusion of Ivan da Marya herbs is used as an effective remedy for baths and local washings in the treatment of various rashes, diathesis, eczema, skin tuberculosis, scabies, demodicosis, rheumatism. To prepare the infusion 3 tbsp. l. maryannik is poured with 1 liter of boiling water and, after insisting for about 2 hours, filtered.

In the treatment of hypertension, dizziness, heart disease, neuralgia, epilepsy, diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, another infusion of oak maryannik is used. For its preparation 1 tbsp. l. herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water, then insisted for half an hour and, after straining, take half a glass twice a day.

A decoction of the fruits of Ivan da Marya

A decoction of fruits destroy harmful insects. Incl. can be used to disinfect the land of indoor plants. Attention! A decoction of the fruit of this plant is poisonous.

Shredded parts of Ivan da Marya

With the help of fresh chopped grass and its powder, the process of wound healing (disinfection) is accelerated.

Special and magical properties

It is believed that the magical properties of this plant, which is plucked on the summer solstice, are that it helps to escape the chase of the one who keeps it with him. There is also a belief that a person who has this flower with him can drive fast even on an old horse. Previously, Ivan da Marya was carried by messengers and scouts (scouts). In addition, fresh juice squeezed from this flower was given to drink to those who lost their hearing or mind, memory, or reason (Beware - the plant is poisonous - V.S.). The flowers of Ivan da Marya, collected on Kupala and stored in the house, protect the house from people with bad intentions, evil spirits (anti-demonic grass) and restore harmony between spouses. The flowers of this plant are placed in the corners of the house. Such a ritual helps protect the home from thieves as well.

Illustrations botanical

Mariannik oakwood

Mariannik meadow

Mariannik field

Mariannik forest

In Russian folk tales, the names Ivan and Marya are quite common. Ivan in fairy tales is either a peasant son, or a good fellow, or a prince. And Marya does not lag behind him - she is either an expert, or a merchant's daughter, or a beautiful princess. In one of these tales, Ivan and Marya once went to the forest to pick mushrooms, and they got into a severe thunderstorm there. Ivan did not lose his head, hugged Marya and covered her from the wind and heavy rain. When the storm ended, the boy and girl returned to their native village. And in the place where they stood, an unusual flower grew - yellow itself, and purple leaves around it, and these leaves, as it were, try to cover the flower, as Ivan covered Marya from the rain. The people nicknamed this plant - "Ivan-da-Marya".

For a long time, this flower has been popular among the people. It was believed that he protects the house from dashing people, therefore, at the time of flowering, Ivan-da-Marya was brought from the forest in whole armfuls and scattered throughout the house. And wreaths were woven from these flowers for Ivan Kupala. Therefore, sometimes these flowers are called kupavki.

Ivan da Marya is an annual plant. It usually grows in the forest. It blooms early, in May and blooms until autumn. In one of the varieties of this plant, the leaves are not purple, but green, and among the people it is called maryannik. The flowers of the plant are collected on one side and look cups down to the ground.

If you want to live - be able to ... grow

Ivan da Marya loves to settle next to other plants. The fact is that its roots are weak, so this plant loves to live at the expense of others - it reaches its roots to the roots of other plants and drinks juice from them.

The best friends of this plant are forest ants. When Ivan da Marya has seeds, the ants drag them to their anthill, where they feast on the oil contained in the seeds. Unnecessary ants seeds are then thrown out of the anthill and subsequently new shoots grow from them. So this plant spreads through the forest. But not only ants like this plant. It is also liked by bees and bumblebees, because Ivan da Marya is a honey plant. It contains delicious nectar in its flowers.

Useful properties of Ivan da Marya

In folk medicine, infusions from this plant are used to treat heart diseases, to heal wounds. And baths with this herb help with skin diseases.

We are surrounded by plants everywhere. Their diversity, aroma, color delight and fascinate. Many of the plants have unusual medicinal properties, and a variety of legends are associated with them. Herbs are successfully used to treat a wide variety of pathologies, from simple wound healing to cancer therapy. Many drugs are made from plants. One of the most unusual is the Ivan da Marya flower. It has bright yellow-blue flowers.

Once the Slavic peoples believed that this plant unites the heavenly and the earthly: it is in its power to connect man with the gods. On the feast of Ivan Kupala, the flower of Ivan da Marya was plucked. At this time, he turned into a symbol of sacred marriage. Blue is considered the color of the bride, while yellow is the color of the groom. This plant is considered the herb of strength. It helps to achieve harmony, to bring everything that a person lacks.

What does the plant look like

The Ivan da Marya flower is a herbaceous plant that is found in meadows and glades. It can be seen near bushes, on forest edges, near swamps. Among the people, he has many names: sister and brother, zheltushka, Ivan-grass and many others.

The stem of the plant is straight, covered with white hairs. All flowers are arranged one by one on legs, turned in one direction. Where yellow flowers are located on Ivan da Marya, there is a blue leaf.

After flowering, the fruit ripens, which looks like a grain. They are collected by ants and transferred to other places. Because of this feature, the plant is often found along ant paths.

The legend of the flower and the devil

There is a legend associated with the Ivan da Marya flower. It says that once a goblin lived in a dense forest. People considered him shaggy, with hooves, eared, with crooked legs. To which he always replied that his hairiness was caused by tree thorns through which he had to wade. He had no friends, he was not afraid of loneliness, he did not know love, he always fought with rivals, drove them out of the forest. But one day the goblin fell in love: he saw the violet Marya floating along the stream. He walked beside her, inhaled her scent, watched. He mustered up the courage to speak of his love. There is a violet, showing off, does not even look at the goblin, he was upset. He took this attitude and foolishly said: “I am fascinated by you, I don’t see life without you, marry me.” But the violet only looked at him and turned away. Goblin tried to surprise her, boasted. He offered her to collect all the stars in a hat. But the violet rejected this too, saying that it would be better for the stars to shine from the sky so that the path would be illuminated for her and her husband. Violet told the goblin about her feelings for another, that she loves Ivan and that she will live with him.

When the time came, Maryushka and Ivan got married, healed together as one flower. Since then, neither Maryushka nor Ivanushka separately has become in the forest, but only the beautiful flower Ivan da Marya.

The story of Kupala and Kostroma

Another legend tells of loyalty and love. It talks about how on the day of the summer solstice he saw the goddess Bathing. They had children: Kostroma and Kupala.

Once, swan geese flew by and stole Kupala, carried it away to distant lands. Years have passed. One fine day, Kostroma was walking by the river, wearing a wreath on her head. She told her girlfriends that no one would ever be able to pluck a wreath from her head. For these words, the gods were angry with her, the wind tore off the wreath and carried it into the river. According to custom, the girl should marry the one who picks up the wreath. At that time, Kupala sailed past the wreath and caught the wreath. They got married and only after the wedding did the young people find out that they were brother and sister, but they had already managed to fall in love with each other. In order not to part, Kostroma and Kupala decided to drown themselves. The gods took pity on them and turned them into the Ivan da Marya flower so that they would always be together.

plant species

Ivan da Marya belongs to the genus Maryanniki. There are thirteen species in total, of which the following species grow in central Russia:

Mariannik is oak. It is called Ivan da Marya grass.
Field view.
Forest mariannik.
Meadow view.
Mariannik cut.

herb benefits

The plant Ivan da Maryu has long been used in folk medicine. Lotions are made with it, infusions are prepared for medicinal baths, decoctions are made. Prepared preparations help with skin diseases, neuralgia, dizziness. Ivan da Marya helps to cope with diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. Also, infusions and decoctions have a wound-healing, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory effect. Scabies, depression, rheumatism are successfully treated with herbs.

magical properties

When Ivan da Marya blooms, the flowers are harvested on the day of the summer solstice. It was believed that this plant protects against dangerous people. Flowers were laid out in the corners of the house to protect against evil spirits and thieves. The presence of grass did not allow quarrels and disagreements between husband and wife.

In case of loss of reason or hearing, people were soldered with freshly squeezed plant juice. Until now, people believe that in order to gain beauty and well-being, it is necessary to take a steam bath with a broom from Ivan da Marya on the night of Ivan Kupala.

Ivan da Marya - this is the name of several types of plants. Most often it refers to oak maryannik, which also has other names:

bicolor,
ivan,
brother and sister,
medunka,
lime tree,
scrofulous grass,
jaundice,
Ivanova or well-aimed grass.

The male and female names were popularly given to plants that bloom with a multi-colored or distinct pair of inflorescences. These include meadow sage, periwinkle, Geneva tenacity, tricolor violet, campanula.

The colorful name of the flower was given for the contrasting combination of a yellow corolla of a flower with a purple bract. Such an unusual phenomenon is associated with the legend of the tragic love of a young man and a beautiful woman. Ivan is associated with yellow, and Marya with purple. Ancestors endowed the flower with magical properties and kept it in the house as a talisman of marital happiness and protection from evil forces.

Ivan da Marya is part of the wreath for divination for Ivan Kupala. The union of yellow and blue is considered to be a combination of the elements of water and fire. According to popular beliefs, the flower contributes to the establishment of an alliance between man and the gods, heavenly and earthly. The flower gives eternal happiness, harmonizing the elements of yin and yang.

The grass collected on the Kupala night was tied into brooms and sent to the bath to gain health and well-being.

Name

Ivan da Marya or oak maryannik (Melampyrum nemorosum) refers to herbaceous annuals. It has a straight, branched stem 15-60 cm in height with pubescence of white villi. Opposite green leaves are heart-shaped at the base with a pointed edge. The root is thin and undeveloped, so the flower is effortlessly pulled out of the ground.

Description

Marjannik attracts attention with a spectacular, two-tone color of the brushes, which is not difficult to see from the photo.

Flowers on short stalks of juicy yellow color are collected in apical inflorescences, similar to a spike-shaped, one-sided brush. They are decorated with jagged, ovoid bracts purple at the top and green at the base. The color of the bract can be crimson, bright purple or blue. The flower cup resembles an elongated bell. Inflorescences are formed in the axils of the apical foliage.

The flowering period lasts from May to September. It ends with the formation of a small ovoid fruit. The box contains oblong, trihedral dark brown seeds. After falling, the seeds have time to germinate, and in October a root system is already formed, which allows you to overwinter under the fallen leaves. After the snow melts, development continues.

Plant features

Small flowers produce abundant nectar that attracts bees, and the fruits serve as food for forest dwellers.

Interestingly, thanks to the aromatic oils on the seeds, ants love them and actively move along their paths, where dense thickets grow in spring. Thus, the Ivan da Marya flower (photo) spreads to new territories.

The flower is common in forests and forest-steppe. It occurs on forest edges of deciduous type, in groves, among shrubs, in wet meadows and slopes of ravines. Chooses shady places for growth, where it forms dense growth.

Common types

The genus Mariannik includes 13 plant species. Of these, in the conditions of the middle lane grow:

oak maryannik
maryannik field
meadow
forest
split mariannik

Beneficial features

Oak maryannik is a poisonous plant that requires careful handling. However, it has long been used in herbal medicine as a sedative, wound healing, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Ivan da Marya flowers are used for heart disease and digestive problems, rheumatism, hypertension, neuralgia and epilepsy. Healing baths are prepared for skin diseases such as eczema, scabies, rashes, diathesis. Tea from mariannik is drunk with scrofula.

Medicinal raw materials are stems, leaves, flowers and even seed pods. The ground part is harvested during flowering.

Once upon a time, a decoction of maryannik fruits was used to dye fabrics yellow and as an insecticide against insects.

Home flower Ivan da Marya

The indoor variety of Ivan da Marya is tuberous begonia, which differs significantly from the wild species. Outwardly, it looks like a bush with leaves rounded at the base, elongated in one direction. Leaf outline with fine teeth. The flower throws out two types of buds. Some are terry, similar to the buds of red roses, while others are ordinary, of 5 petals.

Begonia tubers for planting should be free from damage and signs of rot. They are put up for germination in February. The container is filled with a loose substrate with the addition of peat. The tubers are laid out on a damp surface and do not sprinkle. Keep in a bright and warm place. The soil is added when the sprouts reach 6-8 cm. Flowering occurs in June and lasts until autumn. Watering is moderate, along the edge of the pot. Recommended organic and mineral supplements.

Perennial indoor flower propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Growing in the garden

When growing Ivan da Marya in a garden plot, for decorative purposes or for medicinal raw materials, they begin with soil preparation. It should be loose and moist. Under the preliminary digging, top dressing is made from mullein.

The laying of seeds is carried out in winter in order to get early shoots and May flowering in the spring. It should be borne in mind that maryannik has low seed germination and in the spring the crops will have to be renewed. Large seeds are pressed into the soil or sprinkled with a thin layer of earth. For development and bright flowering, the flower needs a humid environment.

The plot is chosen in partial shade so that the sun's rays can give brightness to the inflorescences. Top dressing Ivan da Marya is not required. The flower independently extracts nutrients from other plants or synthesizes them.