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Stith Thompson Motif Index
About this index and how to read it
Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature classifies recurring narrative elements in folktales, myths, legends, ballads and related traditional narratives. Each entry below gives Thompson's motif reference and the description recorded in the index.
The index is large, so this browser displays 250 entries per page. You can search by motif reference or by words in the description, restrict the results to one of Thompson's main letter categories, and click motif references mentioned inside descriptions to follow cross-references. Individual motif pages also show any ATU tale types whose concordance explicitly cites that Thompson reference.
All
A
Mythological Motifs
B
Animal Motifs
C
Motifs of Tabu
D
Magic
E
The Dead
F
Marvels
G
Ogres
H
Tests
J
The Wise and the Foolish
K
Deceptions
L
Reversals of Fortune
M
Ordaining the Future
N
Chance and Fate
P
Society
Q
Rewards and Punishments
R
Captives and Fugitives
S
Unnatural Cruelty
T
Sex
U
The Nature of Life
V
Religion
W
Traits of Character
X
Humor
Z
Miscellaneous Groups of Motifs
| Thompson reference ▲ | Description |
|---|---|
| A2621 | Plants from tread of holy person. Dh II 7.—Japanese: Anesaki 240. |
| A2621.1 | Flowers from under the feet of Virgin Mary. (Cf. A2650.)—*Dh II 258; BP I 100 n. 1. |
| A2621.2 | Plants from tread of goddess. Greek myth: Grote I 5 (Aphrodite). |
| A2622 | Peter lets key of heaven fall: origin of "Heaven Key" (primrose). Peter hears that duplicate key to heaven has been made. In his excitement he lets his key drop to earth. It is returned by an angel. Where it dropped are the "Heaven Keys". (Cf. A2653.)—*Dh II 190. |
| A2623 | St. Peter's grass. Created by the saint as medicine for snakebite. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 301. |
| A2624 | Origin of plant from staff of holy person. |
| A2624.1 | Origin of thorn tree from staff of Joseph of Arimathea. England: Baughman. |
| A2625 | Plants from clothing of deity. (Cf. A2615.)—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 282; Tahiti: Henry 338. |
| A2630 | Other types of plant origins. |
| A2631 | Origin of plant as punishment. (Cf. A2230.) |
| A2631.1 | Punishment for first murder: thistles, etc. Until murder was committed, only useful plants grew on earth; since then, thistles. (Cf. A2688.1.)—Dh I 248. |
| A2631.1.1 | Punishment for Fall of Man: thistles, etc. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2632 | Origin of plant as reward. |
| A2632.1 | Willow shelters Holy Family: becomes weeping willow. (Cf. A2681.1.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132c. |
| A2632.2 | Origin of tree for crucifixion of Christ. Planted by Adam's son on the grave of primeval father. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 66. |
| A2634 | Plants created by direct divine agency. India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Viracocha): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 550, (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 41. |
| A2650 | Origin of flowers. (See A2617.1, A2621.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2651 | Origin of daisy. (See A2612.2.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 253*. |
| A2653 | Origin of primrose. (Cf. A2622.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 250. |
| A2654 | Origin of "Mary's bed straw" (thymus serpyllum). Flemish: De Meyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 251*. |
| A2655 | Origin of bindweed (convolvulus sepium). Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 252*. |
| A2656 | Origin of rose. |
| A2656.1 | Origin of mossrose. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 254* |
| A2656.2 | Origin of York and Lancaster rose. From dust and blood of slain of War of the Roses—a variety of rose unknown before that time. England: Baughman. |
| A2657 | Origin of forget-me-not. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 255*. |
| A2658 | Origin of lady-slipper (calceolaria hybrida). Flemish: DeMeyer XXXVII 92 No. 256*. |
| A2661 | Origin of snowdrop (galanthus nivatis). Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 257*. |
| A2662 | Origin of hellebore. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 259*. |
| A2663 | Origin of clove. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 92 No. 261*. |
| A2664 | Origin of mandrake. (See A2611.5.) |
| A2665 | Origin of wild morning glory. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 282. |
| A2665.1 | Origin of narcissus. Chinese: Eberhard 131 No. 87. |
| A2666 | Origin of rue. (See A2611.0.4.1.) |
| A2680 | Origin of other plant forms. |
| A2681 | Origin of trees. (See A2612.1.)—Finnish: Kalevala rune 2; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 325—26; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2681.1 | Origin of weeping willow. (See A2632.1.) |
| A2681.2 | Origin of oak. Finnish: Kalevala rune 2. |
| A2681.3 | Poplars from weeping maidens transformed by god. *Frazer Pausanias II 72. |
| A2681.4 | Origin of birch trees. |
| A2681.4.1 | First birch trees in Ireland. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2681.5 | Origin of palms. Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2681.5.1 | Origin of coconut tree. (See A2611.3.)—Oceanic (Cove Is.): Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 104, (Tahiti): ibid. 101, (New Guinea): ibid. 102, (Marshall Is.): Davenport 223, (Marquesas): Handy 30. |
| A2681.6 | Origin of bamboo. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2681.7 | Origin of sandalwood tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2681.8 | Origin of dammar tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2681.9 | Origin of mulberry tree. Marquesas: Handy 123. |
| A2681.10 | Origin of banyan tree. Marquesas: Handy 123. |
| A2681.11 | Origin of breadfruit tree. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 68, 971, 101. |
| A2681.12 | Origin of palm-wine tree. Africa (Bushonga): Torday 236. |
| A2681.13 | Origin of cedar tree. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2682 | Origin of creepers. India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 128. |
| A2683 | Origin of grass. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2684 | Origin of cultivated plants. (Cf. A2685, A2691.2.)—Jibaro: Karsten, cf. JAFL XXXII 446; Tonga: Gifford 17f.; Japanese: Beckwith Myth 102. |
| A2684.1 | Origin of flax. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 112. |
| A2684.2 | Origin of hemp. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2684.2.1 | Origin of sorghum. Africa (Wute): Sieber 204. |
| A2684.3 | Origin of cotton plant. S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 359. |
| A2685 | Origin of cereals. |
| A2685.1 | Origin of corn. (See A2611.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2685.1.1 | Origin of maize. India: Thompson-Balys; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 172, (Tembé): Métraux ibid. 140, (Kaigua, Apapocuva-Guarani): Métraux ibid. 136, (Tenetehara): Wagley-Galvao BBAE CXLIII (3) 148. |
| A2685.2 | Origin of straw. Formerly whole blade became grain. Straw left for dog. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 10. No. 49, XXXIII 53 No. 49; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 28; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2685.3 | Origin of rye. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 129; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2685.4 | Origin of barley. Finnish: Kalevala rune 2; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2685.5 | Origin of manioc. S. Am. Indian (Paressi): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 360, (Mataco): Métraux MAFLS XL 128. |
| A2686 | Origin of vegetables. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.1 | Origin of mushroom. (Cf. A2613.1.)—Dh II 107; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.2 | Origin of peas. (See A2612.3.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.3 | Origin of pepper plant. (See A2611.4.)—S. Am. Indian (Brazil): Oberg 109. |
| A2686.3.1 | Origin of kava plant. Tonga: Beckwith Myth 101, Gifford 72, 75. |
| A2686.4 | Origin of edible roots. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.4.1 | Origin of sweet potato. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 242; S. Am. Indian (Brazil): Oberg 109. |
| A2686.4.2 | Origin of taro. Mono-Alu: Wheeler 67; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 98. |
| A2686.4.3 | Origin of yams. Tonga: Gifford 17. |
| A2686.5 | Origin of turmeric. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2686.6 | Origin of beans. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A2686.7 | Origin of gourds. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 473. |
| A2686.8 | Origin of cinnamon. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2687 | Origin of fruits. |
| A2687.1 | Origin of blood-oranges. Sébillot RTP III 25. |
| A2687.2 | Origin of melons. S. Am. Indian (Mataco): MAFLS XL 128. |
| A2687.3 | Origin of berries. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 188, 282. |
| A2687.4 | Origin of pumpkin. S. Am. Indian (Jivaro): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 627. |
| A2687.5 | Origin of banana. Tonga: Gifford 17. |
| A2688 | Origin of weeds. India: Thompson-Balys; Tonga: Gifford 22. |
| A2688.1 | Origin of thistles. (See A2615.1, A2631.1.)—Irish myth: Cross; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 130; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2688.1.1 | Origin of thorn-bush. Fb "torn" III 827a; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2691 | Origin of narcotic plants. |
| A2691.1 | Origin of coffee. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 127. |
| A2691.2 | Origin of tobacco. (See A2611.2, A2611.2.1.)—Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 131 No. 88; India: *Thompson-Balys; Calif. Indian: Gayton and Newman 58; S. Am. Indian (Cariri): Lowie BBAE CXLIII (1) 559. |
| A2691.3 | Origin of ganja. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2691.4 | Origin of opium. India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard 131 No. 88. |
| A2691.5 | Origin of betel. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2692 | Origin of poisonous plants. India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 686; Africa (Tonga): Gifford 27. |
| A2700 | Origin of plant characteristics. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2710 | Plant characteristics as reward. |
| A2711 | Plant blessed for pious act. (Cf. A2221.) |
| A2711.1 | Plant blessed for help at Jesus' birth. Dh II 19f. |
| A2711.2 | Trees blessed that made the cross. Dh II 207. |
| A2711.2.1 | Elder tree is never struck by lightning because it was used in making the cross. England: Baughman. |
| A2711.3 | Plant blessed for helping holy fugitive. Dh II 58ff.—Spanish Exempla: Keller; Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 197f., 202ff.; Irish: Beal XXI 306. |
| A2711.4 | Tree protects Jesus from rain: is green all year. (Cf. A2765.1.) —Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 152 No. 80 (fig); Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 113 (pine). |
| A2711.4.1 | Hazel gives Virgin Mary shelter. Blessed. *BP III 477; Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 198f., 204. |
| A2711.4.2 | Thistle serves as milk-cup for Virgin Mary: white spots on leaves. England: Baughman. |
| A2711.4.3 | Plant receives name because of service to Virgin Mary. German: Grimm No. 207. |
| A2711.5 | Rowan helps Thor out of river. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 84. |
| A2711.6 | How the plum tree came to be so hardy: blessed by Ram. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2711.7 | Fig tree stays with the angels: rewarded with sap of all other trees. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2720 | Plant characteristics as punishment. |
| A2721 | Plant cursed for impious act. |
| A2721.1 | Plant cursed for disservice to child Jesus. (Cf. A2772.2.) —Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 130a (rush). |
| A2721.2 | Plant cursed for disservice at crucifixion. (Cf. A2711.2.) —Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3222, Legends No. 323. |
| A2721.2.1 | Tree cursed for serving as cross. (Cf. A2751.3.1, A2751.3.2, A2755.2, A2762.1, A2775.)—Dh II 207ff.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 131, XXXIII 56 No. 131; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 152 No. 77; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 108; North Carolina: Brown Collection I 636. |
| A2721.2.1.1 | Aspen cursed for serving as cross. (Cf. A2762.1.) —England, Scotland: Baughman.* |
| A2721.2.1.2 | Poplar cursed for serving as cross. (Cf. A2762.2.)—U.S.: Baughman. |
| A2721.2.1.3 | Cottonwood cursed for serving as cross. U.S.: Baughman. |
| A2721.2.1.4 | Elder cursed for serving as cross. (Cf. A2766.1.) —England: Baughman. |
| A2721.2.2 | Indentations on plants from Christ's biting them at crucifixion. (cf. A2751.3.1.)—Dh II 198. |
| A2721.3 | Plant punished for ungracious answer to holy person. |
| A2721.3.1 | Man tells Jesus he is sowing stones. "You shall get stones." Why peas do not soften in boiling. Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 152 No. 78; cf. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 96 No. 124; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3016. |
| A2721.3.2 | Farmer tells begging monk that potatoes are hard as stones: why potatoes are hard. Japanese: Anesaki Japanese Myth 252. |
| A2721.4 | Plant cursed for betraying holy fugitive. Dh II 58ff. |
| A2721.5 | Tree on which Judas hanged himself cursed. Dh II 236ff.; **Taylor "The Gallows of Judas Iscariot" Washington University Studies (Humanistic series) IX (1922) 135ff. |
| A2721.6 | Why the mogli flower and the lime are cursed by gods. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2721.7 | Trees fail to come at god's leavetaking, now bear bitter fruit. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2721.8 | Barren trees as punishment of earth for disobedience at man's fall. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2722 | Plant punished for disobedience. |
| A2722.1 | Plantain disobeys mother: hence bears but one stalk. (Cf. A2771.2.)—Mpongwe: Nassau 76 No. 16. |
| A2723 | Plant punished for discontent. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 134 No. 91. |
| A2723.1 | Discontented pine-tree: cause of pine needles. Pine tree given silk leaves, glass leaves, etc. Always discontented. Finally has needles again. (Cf. A2767.1.)—*Dh III 337.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 114. |
| A2723.2 | God changes nature of plant to punish wastefulness of man: yield of plant is decreased. German: Grimm No. 194. |
| A2725 | Plant punished for tardiness. |
| A2725.1 | Ash-tree late at distribution of qualities at creation: therefore buds last. (Cf. A2771.1.)—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 95 No. 115. |
| A2726 | Plant punished for tale-telling. |
| A2726.1 | Curse of tale-telling banana affects all others. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2730 | Miscellaneous reasons for plant characteristics. |
| A2731 | Plant characteristics from transformation. |
| A2731.1 | Trickster's burnt flesh becomes gum on trees. N. A. Indian: Thompson Tales 304 n. 1091. |
| A2731.2 | Plant characteristics from tears. (Cf. A2755.3.1, A2755.3.2.) —Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 82 n. 2, 86 n. 2. |
| A2731.2.1 | Plant characteristics from Virgin Mary's tears. *Dh II 255ff. |
| A2731.2.1.1 | Plant characteristics from Virgin Mary's milk. England: Baughman. |
| A2731.3 | Blood from wizard becomes red grain of cedar. Bleeding head of wizard who tries to kill the sun placed on top of a tree. (Cf. A2755.1.)—Yuchi: Alexander N. Am. 64. |
| A2731.4 | Why agar-tree has magic properties. A transformed magician. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2733 | Poppy characteristics from series of reincarnations. Opium produces each of the appropriate qualities. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2734 | Plant characteristics from object thrown by devil. |
| A2734.1 | Devil throws sand at aspen: hence rough bark. Angered because aspens will not cease quivering. (Cf. A2751.2.1.)—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 23 No. 132. |
| A2734.2 | Devil throws tar at tree: hence tar in tree-heart. (Cf. A2755.3.) —Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 4 No. 10. Cf. Type 153. |
| A2736 | Evil spirit in spite puts bark and thorns on tree. (A2751.1, A2752.) —Persian: Carnoy 283. |
| A2738 | Christ puts knots in wood. Peter, angry at carpenters wants Christ to have iron knots in wood. Christ does make hard knots but not iron. (Cf. A2755.4.)—Dh II 174ff. |
| A2741 | Plant characteristics from accident to original plant. |
| A2741.1 | Bean laughs till it splits: cause of black stripe. (Cf. A2793.1, F1025.1.)—Type 295.—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 126a; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 95 No. 121. |
| A2741.2 | Yams dropped by bird and split: why some are good and some bad. (Cf. A2793.3.)—New Hebrides (Leper's Island): Dixon 144. |
| A2741.3 | Sky rests on top of trees: hence flat leaves. (Cf. A2761.3.) —Polynesian: Dixon 51 n. 55. |
| A2741.4 | Bush loses clothes in shipwreck: hence catches passerby looking for clothes. (Cf. A2792.1.)—See A2275.5.3. |
| A2741.5 | Why khijur leaves are long and narrow: split with an arrow. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2742 | Plant characteristics from exchange of qualities. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2743 | Plant characteristic because plant belongs to the devil. |
| A2743.1 | Fuschia belongs to devil: hence ball and red petals. North Carolina: Brown Coll. I 635. |
| A2750 | Interior and bark of plant. |
| A2751 | Bark of plant. |
| A2751.1 | Origin of bark on plants. (See A2736.) |
| A2751.2 | Texture of bark of plant. |
| A2751.2.1 | Why aspen's bark is rough. (See A2734.1.) |
| A2751.2.2 | Why bark of red willow is thin. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 223. |
| A2751.2.3 | Why tinsa tree has no bark at bottom of trunk. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2751.3 | Markings on bark of plant. |
| A2751.3.1 | Indentions in stem of reed. (See A2721.2.1, A2721.2.2, A2732.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 130b. |
| A2751.3.2 | Crosses on certain trees. (See A2721.2.1.) |
| A2751.4 | Color of bark of plant. |
| A2751.4.1 | Why birch has white bark. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 110; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132f. |
| A2751.4.2 | Why ebony tree is black. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2751.4.3 | Why tamarind bark is black. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2751.4.4 | Why bark of saja and tinsa is white. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2751.4.5 | Why broom-corn is covered with blood-red spots. Korean: Zong in-Sob 10 No. 3. |
| A2751.4.6 | Why kava plant is grey. Tonga: Gifford 72. |
| A2752 | Thorns on plants. (See A2736).—Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2752.1 | Why bombax tree has thorns. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2755 | Internal parts of plant. |
| A2755.1 | Origin of red grain of cedar. (See A2731.3.) |
| A2755.2 | Origin of blood-colored sap in trees. (See A2721.2.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2755.2.1 | Why the saja tree has no sap. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2755.3 | Origin of tar in heart of trees. (See A2734.2.)—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 210. |
| A2755.3.1 | Origin of amber in poplar trees. (Cf. A2731.2.)—Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 82 n. 2. |
| A2755.3.2 | Origin of gum in myrrh tree. (Cf. A2731.2.)—Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 86 n. 2. |
| A2755.4 | Origin of knots in wood. (See A2738.)—Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2755.4.1 | Why there are knots on the saja tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2756 | Why the bamboo has nodes. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2757 | Why certain reeds are hollow. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 36. |
| A2760 | Leaves of plant. |
| A2760.1 | Why all trees have leaves. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2761 | Shape of leaves of plant. |
| A2761.1 | Why oak-leaves are indented. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132b. |
| A2761.2 | Why vine-leaves are hand-shaped. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132b. |
| A2761.3 | Why plant-leaves are flat. (See A2741.3.) |
| A2762 | Movement of leaves. |
| A2762.1 | Why aspen-leaves tremble.—*Fb "asp" IV 18a; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3105, Legends Nos. 203—213. |
| A2762.2 | Why poplar-leaves tremble. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 131. |
| A2762.3 | Why pipal leaves tremble. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2763 | Why certain leaves have holes in them. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2764 | Why certain leaves are hollow. |
| A2764.1 | Why taro leaves are hollow. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 229. |
| A2765 | Why leaves are evergreen. (See A2711.4.) |
| A2766 | Why certain tree bleeds. |
| A2766.1 | Why elder tree bleeds when cut. (A2721.2.1.4.)—England: Baughman. |
| A2767 | Origin of tree's needles. |
| A2767.1 | Origin of pine-needles. (See A2723.1.) |
| A2768 | Why leaves hang head downward. Maori: Clark 96. |
| A2769 | Leaves of plant—miscellaneous. |
| A2769.1 | Why tamarind leaves are small. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2770 | Other plant characteristics. |
| A2771 | Budding and bearing of plant. |
| A2771.1 | Why ash-tree buds last. (See A2725.1.)—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3222, Legends No. 324. |
| A2771.2 | Why plantain bears but one stalk. (See A2722.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2771.3 | Why sago bears fruit from the stem. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2771.4 | Why banana bears fruit from crown of tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2771.4.1 | Why rice has ears only at top. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 130 No. 86. |
| A2771.5 | Trees bear first buds to commemorate reign of primitive hero. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2771.6 | Why certain willow tree bears fruit when fruit trees bear. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2771.7 | Why sorrel grows on certain rock every winter. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2771.8 | Why tree has bitter fruit. |
| A2771.8.1 | Why olive is bitter. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2771.8.2 | Why laurel tree is bitter. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2771.9 | Why big trees have small fruit. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2771.10 | Why willow flowers do not bear fruit. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2772 | Color of plants. |
| A2772.1 | Origin of rose's color. Sébillot RTP II 549. |
| A2772.2 | Why end of rush is black. (See A2721.1.) |
| A2772.3 | Why the heartsease (polygonum persicaria) has red stripes. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 129a. |
| A2772.4 | Why ebony tree has black wood and smoke-colored leaves. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2774 | Why trees remain fixed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2774.1 | Why ayikha-bush is firmly rooted. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2775 | Why certain trees are dwarfed. (See A2721.2.1.) |
| A2775.0.1 | Why plants no longer reach sky. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 134 No. 90. |
| A2776 | Why certain plants are cursed. |
| A2776.1 | Why birch is cursed. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132d. |
| A2776.2 | Why weeping-willow is cursed. Flemish: DeMeyer XXXVII 91 No. 132d. |
| A2777 | Why certain plants (trees) are blessed. |
| A2777.1 | Why fig tree is chief priest of the trees. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2777.2 | King of trees. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2778 | Why certain tree is tall. |
| A2778.1 | Why coconut tree is tall. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 98. |
| A2778.2 | Why palm is tall. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2781 | Origin of plant names. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2782 | Origin of combustible property of wood. Tonga: Gifford 23. |
| A2783 | Medicinal properties of trees. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2785 | Origin of shape of particular tree. |
| A2785.1 | Origin of shape of wiliwili tree. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 495. |
| A2788 | Why certain tree is hardy. |
| A2791 | Sundry characteristics of trees. |
| A2791.1 | Why trees do not talk. All ask to be spared when man begins cutting them. Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 151 No. 75; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 107; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3215, Legends No. 302f.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2791.2 | Why lightning spares the nut-tree. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132e. |
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