Naming the flowers

ByLt Col S. Hassan Ahmed

(Retired) is a social activist

Dated

October 29, 2022

Naming Flowers

Col Hasan describes the origin of the naming  flowers

It is always a source of curiosity to find out what is the reason for the naming flowers associated with many attractive flowers. With their vivid color and intoxicating fragrance, flowers are one of nature’s most enchanting natural wonders but their botanical names are highly injudicious to their loveliness. Human ingenuity has therefore assigned them quite different yet attractive names.

Dahlia is a lovely flower and the origin of its name is unclear, though speculation suggests Carl Linnaeus, considered the father of taxonomy named the flower after a student called Dahl. Its meaning includes inner strength, commitment, and a warning against betrayal.

Fresia is another beauty and it is mentioned that Christian Ecklon named this delicate flower after fellow botanist Friedrich Freese. Friendship, trust, and thoughtfulness are just three of the meanings associated with the bloom.

Sunflower is singular in its radiant beauty and the flower’s scientific name Helianthus combines the two Greek words for sun and flower. It symbolizes long life, adoration, and brightness of mood, among other representations.
Hydrangea is a flower that originated in Japan but its name comes from the Greek “hydro,” meaning water, and “angles,” meaning jar or vessel—a reference to its cup-shaped flower and need for an abundance of water.

Some Other Namin Flowers

Daffodil is a member of the genus narcissus, named after the Greek demigod. Some of the most common meanings associated with this flower include creativity, forgiveness, and awareness. Remember, Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection.

Forget Me Not belongs to the Myosotis genus of flowers—a Greek name that means mouse’s ear and alludes to the shape of the flower’s petals—this delicate bloom is associated with true love, fidelity, and loyalty in a relationship, as well as affection between two people, among other connotations.

Lily is a scintillating flower and its name is derived from the ancient Greek term leirion (one of the first words for flower), the lily flower symbolizes purity, passion, and rebirth, among other meanings.

Lilac is beautiful and the word lilac derives from a host of languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Persian. A harbinger of spring, the flower represents versatility but also a recollection, especially that of an old flame.

Snapdragon is another beauty. The Greeks named it twice: “antirrhinon,” meaning nose-like, and “kynokephelon,” or dog-headed. Sometimes used as a charm against falsehood, the flower also symbolizes grace and inner strength.

Orchid is a fantastic sight and orchids owe their name to the Greek word orchis, meaning testicle. In antiquity, an orchid with pronounced tuberous roots symbolized a male child, while those with small tubers characterized a female child. The Weekender

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