Flowers with Dark and Negative Meanings

Flowers are usually intended as gifts, where fleetingly, they symbolize aspects of the human condition. They can be given as tokens of remembrance for a loved one long in the grave or as floral bouquets to commemorate a holiday. But what about sending flowers to people you hate? 

Rumor has it that, at their height in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Sicilian mafia would send black roses as a harbinger of murder. Nowadays, it seems silly to send flowers to convey ill intent, but for those poetically inclined, it can be fun to delve into the darker meanings behind flowers, whether you’re a writer looking for inspiration or an avid gardener interested in floriography – the language of flowers. 

Belladonna: Death, Dark Magic   

Known as the devil’s favorite flower, deadly nightshade rose to prominence as a bane and poison, rather than as a medicine. Due to its malign associations, it has come to symbolize death as well as the inescapable shackles of fate (its scientific name, Atropa, alludes to the Greek Fate that severs the thread of fate). In medieval Europe, belladonna was believed to be used by witches to create ‘flying ointments.’ During the Second World War, atropine, a compound derived from the plant, was used as an antidote against the deadly effects of nerve gas poisoning, an invention of Third Reich chemists. 

Black Dahlia: Betrayal, Doom  

Dahlias are striking flowers, but the darker ones tend to get singled out. In the “Wednesday” series, Marilyn Thornhill, Wednesday’s teacher, gives Wednesday a black dahlia – her favorite flower and murder. Fans of the show will know that the black dahlia is a plot device meant to subtly foreshadow betrayal and doom. In popular iconography, black dahlias are thought to symbolize evil, betrayal and sadness, in reference to the grisly Black Dahlia murder. 

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens): Duality of Beauty and Danger 

On the surface, the angel’s trumpet is innocuous, dangling downwards in splendiferous masses, but its fiendish nature has led some to give it the ill-favored nickname of Devil’s Trumpet. It’s diabolical qualities stems from the large presence of alkaloids found in its blossoms, with scopolamine, aka the “Devil’s Breath,” used by the Columbian cartels to incapacitate victims. Both atropine and scopolamine have psychoactive properties and are known to cause hallucinations. Brugmansia is also alleged to be the favored weapon of murderers due to its supposed ability to quickly sedate victims. 

Buttercups: Ingratitude, Childish Behavior 

Buttercups are cheery little flowers that don’t deserve all the negativity, but it’s true that they can seem somewhat childish, lacking the elegance and grace of more stately flowers. In rural areas where they are considered a noxious weed, they are known to cause gastric upset in farm animals, hence their association with ingratitude. 

Poppies: Death, Resurrection, Oblivion  

Long recognized as a symbol of war, poppies draw their imagery from the bright red flowers that sprang up on the graves of fallen soldiers during World War I. The poetic juxtaposition of the crimson blooms against the battlefield points to darker themes of death and oblivion. Indeed, opium, the drug plied from the poppyseed, is a metaphor for the crimson opiate that runs through society – the death and the resurrection. 

Yellow Carnation: Rejection, Disdain, Disappointment  

With a drab color that seems the epitome of sadness, it’s no wonder that yellow carnations are scorned. Whether purposely or subconsciously, the intent signals disdain and disappointment, and recipients of yellow carnations should take note. Avoid for Easter and other celebrations – instead, opt for other yellow flowers that can achieve a similar frilly effect, such as ranunculus or roses. 

Begonia: Beware, Deformity, Warning    

Begonias may not have a deep symbolic meaning like other flowers, but there’s something about their bizarre leaves that elicits a sense of unease – not in the extreme sense that you should constantly look over your shoulder. Rather, they caution the receiver to stay vigilant and look out for signs of hidden danger. On the other hand, begonias can also symbolize peace and individuality. 

Black Henbane: Rage and Insanity   

Another member of the nightshade family with a deadly reputation, black henbane was a favorite of witches, occultists, and other practitioners of the dark arts. It’s highly potent in hyoscyamine and scopolamine, substances that can induce hallucinations, convulsions, unrestrained rage and other adverse effects. It’s been theorized that henbane was the secret weapon that Viking berserkers used to enter a trance state, eventually crescendoing into manic states of rage and insanity. 

Rhododendron: Beware, I am Dangerous  

Blazing red and fiery, rhododendrons impart a clear message to anyone who chances upon them, though it’s not always apparent to those deluded by their beauty: Beware, I am dangerous. It’s interesting to note that mad honey, an obscure substance found in the foothills of the Himalayas, is produced by bees foraging on rhododendrons. 

Dark Red Rose: Anger, Aggression, Rage   

While the color red certainly represents fervent passion, it can also come to symbolize perverse desire and volatility in certain contexts. Red is a color brimming with vitality, danger, anger, and in vengeful proportions, rage. Roses that are a deep burgundy or merlot shade are suspect; in literature, they’re known as blood roses and can herald impending death or doom. 

Wormwood (Artemisia): Bitterness, Absence  

The silvery foliage of wormwood, rebranded as the lyrical Artemesia, is occasionally incorporated in floral bouquets or wreaths for a wistful, melancholic effect. In the Book of Revelations, Wormwood is either a star or angel prophesied as a bringer of the end times, descending from the heavens to poison the water. Taken metaphorically, it signifies divine retribution and the danger of straying from divinity – mankind reaping what they have sown. 

Yarrow: Strife, War  

Yarrow has a long, complex history as a battlefield remedy. Its scientific name, Achillea millefolium, is in reference to the warlike Achilles, a mythical Greek soldier and tool of slaughter. Yarrow’s close connection to warfare and violence make it a ‘sentiment of war,’ serving as a stern chastisement to the warmongers that continue to incite strife among nations.