Flowers are so much more than decorative: Throughout history, they have also been used as herbs, medicine, coloring agents, and symbols of human traits. Yarrow, or "soldier's friend," was used to dress battle wounds during the Civil War and to flavor beer before the discovery of hops. The peony is traditionally displayed as a symbol of wealth, and heather was valued for its nectar. Chockfull of intriguing facts and lore, this book brings together 100 of the world's flowers to tell their remarkable stories, and each flower is richly illustrated in color.