Scotland
Spiky plants such as brambles appear to have been used around forts since time immemorial, so
the story, whether it factually relates to the Haakon episode or not, likely is the culmination of more than one
such event over time. In some variants, it is invading English which stumble on a thistle, but the story predates
this time.
Numerous plants are referred to in Scottish song and verse. These include Robert Burns A Red, Red Rose, Hugh
MacDiarmid's A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle, Sorley MacLean's Hallaig, Harry Lauder's I Love A Lassie
and in the 21st century, Runrig's And The Accordions Played. The last two lyrics include a reference to the
bluebell. The "Scottish Bluebell" is Campanula rotundifolia, (known elsewhere as the "Harebell") rather than
Hyacinthoides nonscripta, the "Common Bluebell".
Trees held an important place in Gaelic culture from the earliest times. Particularly large trees were venerated,
annaabi.ee 
