According toPtolemy Hephaestion, Psalacantha fell in love withDionysus and promised to help him win the love ofAriadne on condition that he satisfy her own desires as well. Dionysus refused and Psalacantha went on to advise Ariadne against him, whereupon the god became enraged and changed Psalacantha into a plant known aspsalakanthos. Later, he repented and decided to commemorate Psalacantha by having the plant worked into Ariadne's wreath, the one that was changed into the constellationCorona Borealis.[1][2]
^Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History Book 5 (summary from Photius, Myriobiblon 190) (trans. Pearse) (Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D.) :"As for thepsalakanthos, it's an Egyptian plant which gains health and victory when used to decorate horses. It is said, on the other hand, that Psalakantha (Psalacantha) was a Nymphe of the isle of Ikaros (Icaria) who, captured by Dionysos, helped him to obtain Ariane (Ariadne) on the condition that he should also belong to her, and Dionysos refused; Psalakantha took herself to Ariane and the irritated god turned her into a plany; then, feeling remorse, he wanted to honour this plant by placing it in the crown of Ariane, who took her place among the celestial constellations. As for the plant, some say it resembles thearmoise, others the melilot."
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