MIGNONETTE

i.e., WILD MIGNONETTE (Reseda lutea) The name is the diminutive of French mignon, darling. The name of endearment was given to the plant by Lord Bateman in 1742. In the Oise district of France, mignonette put over a girl’s door on May Day “annonce une rupture. Reseda, je te laisse là” (Sebillot). On the other hand, French brides believed that mignonette in their bouquet will hold a husband’s affection (M Baker. 1979).