15 flowers we played with every day as kids that are almost impossible to find now
Black nightshade
Black nightshade is not a grape, not a grape! Every time we saw these fruits that looked like miniaturized black grapes, greedy little friends could never resist picking them and eating them. They were sweet and sour, but adults would always tell you that you could not eat them!
Foxtail grass
If we are talking about the wild grass we played with most by the roadside as kids, it has to be foxtail grass. The most impressive thing was that there were always older boys and girls who could weave it into all kinds of little animals. We worshipped them with starry eyes!
Qingma
Qingma (qǐng má), the name is a bit awkward, but it was one of the most common flowers in the countryside. Girls often picked it to make earrings. The pale little yellow flowers were unremarkable yet fragrant all on their own. If you opened the seeds inside the fruit, there was even a fresh scent!
Little horse-melon gourd
As kids, we often saw patches of melon vines joined together in the fields, with mini watermelons buried inside. It smelled a little fragrant, and it was definitely horse-melon gourd! Every time we were warned not to eat it, but we still picked a few and took them home. It was explosively fun!
Cocklebur
As kids, did you ever be walking along the road when your clothes suddenly got hooked by something, and when you turned around you saw little prickly balls? Huahua tells you, this thing is called cocklebur, and some people also call it Zhaili'er. Some naughty kids would cause trouble by sticking these prickly balls specifically onto girls' clothes and hair, making people so angry their teeth itched!
Four o'clock flower
In the yard back home, there was always a four o'clock flower, and it always bloomed in the evening. Its black seeds looked like little landmines, so it was also called the landmine flower. My friends and I would always pick the petals of the four o'clock flower, dip them in a little water and stick them on our foreheads as floral ornaments. Did you ever play like this?
Hollow raspberry
Hollow raspberry, also called rose raspberry, has red fruits like strawberries. It tastes a little sweet, but you cannot eat too many of them!
Large-flowered fleabane
Large-flowered fleabane looks a lot like small chrysanthemums, growing in clumps by the roadside. Pick a bunch and put it in a vase, and it is absolutely beautiful!
Cattail
This thing is said to be quite useful for smoking out mosquitoes after being lit. Have you ever used it?
Goosegrass
It really is just like its name, as tough as beef tendon. As a kid, my hands turned blue from pulling it, and it still stood as steady as Mount Tai!
Henna
The scientific name of henna is Impatiens balsamina. It was most popular among girls. Rub the petals and paste them on your nails, and after a while your nails turn red.
Thistle
The name feels unfamiliar, but you must be very familiar with the flower. The stems have thorns, and it blooms pale purple flowers. It is very cute and also a bit like dandelion.
Sickle senna
After the seeds of sickle senna are dried in the sun and stir-fried until cooked, steep them in water and drink it to clear the liver and improve eyesight!
Purslane
Purslane is a very common wild vegetable. In late spring, pick a handful of the tenderest purslane after the rain, wash it clean and blanch it, add a little sesame oil and chili that have been flash-fried with scallion and ginger, then toss it with salt and vinegar. How refreshing and crisp it is!
Water caltrop
Gardeners in the south should be familiar with water caltrop. It can be steamed or boiled, and it can also be cooked into porridge. It tastes good and is especially healthy!
There are really too many flowers and plants in memory
The varieties were not precious, yet they accompanied our entire childhood
Gardeners, how many more can you still remember?