Pansies
Avoid picking these when you're in the middle of enjoying fine weather or the rain will soon return according to tradition.

Parsley
Having chewed on some parsley to sweeten your breath you may then be shocked to find out that traditionally it was associated with death and disaster. Bad luck will come your way especially if you cut some for your cooking and you are in love at the same time, or transplant it, or give it away. The two varieties now available (curly or flat leafed) are normally used to garnish a dish, and can grow on your windowsill or in a sunny rich moist soil. Again, like Rosemary, it is reputed to grow best if the woman of the household is dominant. It was associated with death by the Ancient Greeks who dedicated it in funeral rites and scattered it on graves. It was also woven into crowns for victors of sporting games (and fed to the chariot horses before the races). It is also believed that babies could be discovered in parsley beds, and that unmarried girls could put matters to right if they chewed parsley three times a day for three weeks. When scattered in fishponds it can reputedly heal sick fish too. The Romans used to line their graves with Parsley to keep the Devil away, and also to avoid their plants falling into someone else's hands as this was considered to be like throwing luck away. In Britain it was also once believed that to sow parsley was to encourage the conception of children so be careful next time offers you some parsley seeds!

Peach
To place a sprig of orange blossom over your front door would serve to keep evil spirits away according to ancient Chinese folklore.

Peas
Don't be disappointed if you find only one pea in a pea pod next time you're preparing a meal as it symbolises good fortune. Discovering one with nine peas in also allows you the opportunity to make a wish once you have thrown one of the pease over your right shoulder. Good luck.

Pennyroyal
Said, if grown indoors, it will keep fleas and even mosquitoes away. This plant was taken on long sea voyages, in pots, to purify the casks of drinking water. It is a member of the mint family with small mauve flowers and is a low-lying creeping plant with strong aromatic qualities and taste, and said to be used for headaches.

Peony
Placed in the garden this plant reputedly wards off evil spirits and worn as a necklace would help stave off epilepsy, lunacy and nightmares. When children were cutting teeth if the roots were cut and worn the pain would ease (but the root had to be uprooted, like the mandrake, by a dog).

Peppermint
This is still used to catch rats as they strongly dislike the scent of the oil. The small violet flowers on the end of long leaves are delicate, and the menthol in the plant can be used in tea, chocolates, toothpaste whilst also reputed to help with helping those with problems sleeping.

Pine Cones
A means of predicting the weather. When the cone is open the omens are positive for fine weather, when closed rain is sure to come.

Plants
In England a rural custom is connected with the death of a person regarding plants. It is reputed that one should whisper the news to their favourite plants and then tie a piece of black material around them for a few days in order that they don't wither and die from neglect.

Poppy
A flower of ill omen. Staring into the centre of a poppy it is said can temporarily turn you blind and will cause illness if the flower is brought into a house (perhaps connected with the narcotic qualities of the plant). Since WW1 the plant has become a symbol of remembrance. The tragic loss of so many young men is remembered each Remembrance Day. Each poppy petal laid on a wreath or that is worn as a sign of respect symbolises the death of each soldier that was lost in war.

Primrose
It was believed that a flower blooming in winter or a single flower brought into the house signalled death. If you had less than 13 in the first spring posy the hens on your land would only have as many chickens as primroses in the posy. The Welsh traditionally believed that it is bad luck for a primrose to flower before June. Evil spirits are deterred from hanging around a house if primroses are planted in the garden, and at one time were used as a cure for insomnia.