What’s in a Name: Violet’s Latin genus name of Viola is believed to have come from “Ione” and the Greek legend of Jupiter having to change his lover Io into a cow, for protection, and then create Viola blooms for her to graze on more happily than grass.
What’s in a Name: The genus Gladiolus comes from Latin word “gladius” meaning sword, for the plant’s sword-shaped leaves. Some myths say the flower sprang forth where ever there was bloodshed during battles of Roman Gladiators. A more charming story attributes the name to a Prince named Lolus who rescued and fell in love with […]
What’s in a Name: some say the genus name of Rosa is derived from the Celtic rhos or rhod (meaning red) others from a Roman beauty named Rhodanthe History: The most popular story of the rose’s origin centers around a beautiful Roman woman named Rhodanthe, who traveled to the Temple of Diana, seeking refuge from […]
What’s in a Name: Christians associated Lily of The Valley with the tears of Mary in the valley of the cross, as reflected in both its genus and most popular common name. The genus name of Convallaria comes from the Latin convallis, meaning valley. Other common names include Mary’s Tears, May Lily and May Bells.
What’s in a name: Daisy originated from the Old English meaning, dægesege, from dæges eage meaning “day’s eye” because the flower opens and closes based on sunlight exposure.
What’s in a Name: The genus name Narcissus is thought to be derived from the Greek Narkissos, meaning sleep or numbness. History: The Greek Myth of Narcissus and Echo details the often drooping appearance of Narcissus blooms. Narcissus had an unrequited love for Echo and hid in a cave to escape his sorrow. Often, he […]