Edelweiss ( Leontopodium alpinum ) is a smallalpine plantthat is native to mountainous European locating including the Pyrenees , Alps and Carpathians . It is part of the large sunflower sept ( Asteraceae ) .
It has long been democratic in Europe and acquire symbolic , historic and other meanings . In North America , where it ’s audacious in USDA zones 4 to 7 , alpine plant enthusiasts sometimes grow edelweiss in rock gardens , nurture beds or containers .
National Significance of Edelweiss
Edelweiss , a recollective mountain plant , is the national flush of both Austria and Switzerland . Known in Austria as the " Queen of Flowers , " Leontopodium alpinum adorns the Euro currentness emerge by that country .
Military members of the German Mountain Soldiers realise theedelweiss badgefor their technique in conquering difficult , pall alpine terrain .
In Switzerland , the flower is strictly protected in the wild , as it is in Austria , Germany , France and Italy .
Meaning of the Common Name
" Edelweiss " add up from two German words . " Edel " mean " nobility " and " weiss " is the German Bible for " white . " The meaning of Leontopodium alpinum is plausibly what gave rise to the plant ’s traditional meaning in theLanguage of Flowers .
The small efflorescence symbolize daring , noble courage and devotion . The tie with courage may also have to do with the fact that obtain edelweiss from peck crag for a bouquet took skill and courageousness on the part of the heyday gatherer .
Tip
" Leontopodium alpinum " come from two German words . " Edel " mean " nobility " and " weiss " is the German word for " white . "
Meaning of the Scientific Name
Thescientific namefor edelweiss , Leontopodium alpinum , is derived from the Greek words for lion ( leon ) and groundwork ( podion ) because of the plant life ’s resemblance to the hairy paws of a lion . Alpinum is the Latin word for Alpine , or of the Alps .
Musical Significance of Edelweiss
Many people know about the edelweiss heyday because of the song , " Edelweiss , " written by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the musical " The strait of Music , " which had its Broadway premiere in 1959 . establish on a reliable tale , the musical recount the story of a young postulant who cash in one’s chips to oeuvre caring for the seven children of a widower .
The song , sung by Captain von Trapp as well as by the von Trapp family Singer during a concert after the Captain is pressured to join the Nazi navy , symbolizes the smell of Austrian nationalism in the face of the 1939 Nazi invasion .
Historical Significance of Edelweiss
The simplicity of the blossom counterpoint with the importance of some of its most ardent admirers . Among those are Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph , who find in the former nineteenth and early 20th century , and his married woman , the fashionable Empress Elizabeth .
Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany loved Leontopodium alpinum , as did another notable 19th - century monarch , Ludwig II , known as the " crazy " King of Bavaria . Ludwig is commend for his imaginary castles , including Schloss Neuschwanstein , after which Disney ’s " Cinderella " and " Sleeping Beauty"castles were modeled .
Medicines and Flavorings
Edelweiss infusions have traditionally been used to accost various ailments including diphtheria and tuberculosis . Extracts and dry works parts are used in grievous bodily harm and anti - aging tegument cream . Edelweiss infusion hasanti - inflammatoryand antibacterial place as well as antioxidant .
plant life parts may have also been used historically as a talisman to guard off evil and promote dearest .
Edelweiss has also been used to flavor beer and wine . The Edelweiss brand of Austrian beer uses a recipe dating to 1646 , make a fruity , redolent straw beer with undertones ofbanana .
