A cleome flower on a grave marker symbolizes someone who was nice, but kind of odd, according to local historian Michael Zahs who recently co-authored a book about symbols on grave markers.

He, along with University of Iowa Professor Loren Horton, have accumulated photos of the different symbols from flowers to crosses to create a field guide. Zahs shares why they decided to write the book, “We just feel that a cemetery should be enjoyed and if you enjoy a cemetery that honors the people that are there. We hope that this book encourages people to take some field trips out to cemeteries.” The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Washington Public Library.