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What's In a Name When a Flower is So Beautiful?
One of the things we at FlowersandCakes.com have always
enjoyed is some of the exotic and oftentimes humorous
names that many flowers and trees have. Besides the aesthetic
beauty of flowers and floral arrangements, it is interesting
how some of the flowers derived their monikers.
When some of the blooms out there have names like Balsam
of Peru, Periwinkle, Foxglove, Crowfoot, and Snowdrop…..you
can't help but become curious as to how they earned their
titles. Of course, just the immediate appearance of many
flowers will explain their surnames right away. The orange
blossom comes to mind. Even the sunflower gives you an
idea {I always think of the Sun Ra decorations and ornaments
when I see a sunflower}.
Sometimes you may have to refer to the meaning of the
flowers' names as they relate to their French and Latin
interpretations and entomologies. For instance, let's
consider the Thornapple flower. In French, the plant is
known as Datur. Which is not a hard translation to understand
when we learn the Latin name. In Latin, it is known as
Datura stramonium. While those exotic translations still
may not solve the puzzle for most English-speaking plant
lovers, it is the meaning/origin of the foreign terminology
that makes the flower's name clear. Loosely translated,
the flower name means "deceitful charms". Now
that would seem to be a perfect explanation for the English
surname Thornapple. We all can appreciate a tempting,
delicious, juicy apple. But factor some prickly thorns
into the image and suddenly there is a glaring contradiction.
Thus, you have the Thornapple. To look at the blossom,
you still wouldn't immediately think (or understand the
name) Thornapple. But once you know the meaning of the
flower's Latin term, like gaining insight into a piece
of art in a museum, one can better appreciate the symmetry
of it all.
We're all familiar with all of the most common names for
flowers (and weeds) from dandelions to roses to violets
and lilacs. But its names and background stories like
Honeysuckle (bonds of love), the Barberry (sourness),
the Weeping Willow (sadness), and the Whortleberry (treacherousness)
that add a whole different dimension to one's appreciation
of flowers and horticulture.
Share some of your favorite names and back-stories with
us here on FlowersandCakes.com
And make sure you don't get too close to any Prickly-pear
(I burn) or Windflowers (abandonment) while you are out
enjoying nature's offerings. Unless, of course, you just
love their natural beauty. After all, what's in a name
when they are so beautiful?
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