Molly Wood - Fatal Flora

The Fatal Flora series evolved from an interest in Medieval and Renaissance women who made their place in society by using their knowledge of the properties of botanicals. This expertise could range from culinary, to medicinal, to toxic. Often the same plants used to nurture and feed loved ones could be used in another way to heal the sick. Different parts of these same plants could also be prepared in yet other ways or using differing amounts to be poisonous. I believe this is symbolic of many elements of life. Things that can be nurturing and life-sustaining and healing when experienced in one way can also become toxic and poisonous when circumstances are changed or moderation is not observed. Plants that contain the potential to be toxic are extremely complex in their structures. Their appearance and their toxicity changes drastically depending upon the timing of their growth cycles -- from bud to bloom to seed pod.