Identify Flower from 1867

[Avsie]

Hi
I recently inherited a book called 'The Basket Of Flowers' gifted to a family member in 1867. Inside was a flower that is believed to have been put inside around the time. Can anyone identify this plant? Thanks.

[Steve Pollard]

Kind of looks like lavender - does it still smell?

[AlexWorsleyDWT]

It's self-heal - Prunella vulgaris

[Jane W]

Lovely book. It does look like lavender but I'm offering another possibility. Its a bit of an outsider but it was the first thing that came to mind when I saw your photo. Betony.
I've joined a couple of photos of betony in my field, and a dried head...the dried one looks much more spiky I know, but if it was pressed when still fresh, it would appear less so.
I also got a nice book from my grandfather, not as old as yours, more like turn of the century ( actually can't find a date in it anywhere), but I treasure it.

[Avsie]

Kind of looks like lavender - does it still smell?

Thanks for the reply - yes it could be lavender couldn't it! No it just smells of moth balls as it was kept in a box with them. The overpowering smell is like a freshly creosoted fence.

[Avsie]

Lovely book. It does look like lavender but I'm offering another possibility. Its a bit of an outsider but it was the first thing that came to mind when I saw your photo. Betony.
I've joined a couple of photos of betony in my field, and a dried head...the dried one looks much more spiky I know, but if it was pressed when still fresh, it would appear less so.
I also got a nice book from my grandfather, not as old as yours, more like turn of the century ( actually can't find a date in it anywhere), but I treasure it.

Thanks - yes I can fully appreciate how you would treasure your book. Something physical left from the past. Magical. It could be Betony looking at photos online. A great suggestion. I am going to have to read the book (I bought a modern copy from Amazon) and see if there are any clues in it - I know the book was bought because the first names of the characters matched those of my family. Maybe there is more significance to the flower than I thought. If I find out i'll let you know.

[Jane W]

Hi Alex...for some reason your post didn't appear until today, so I posted my reply before I'd seen yours! Sorry.

[AlexWorsleyDWT]

No problem at all!