Some flowers have names associated with animals, some of which are obvious and others less so.  From top left to right bottom these flowers are ;


Fox and cubs  (Pilosella auranteaca)  Orange hawkweed    So-called because of the appearance of the open flowers (the fox) alongside the flower buds (the cubs)

Foxglove  (Digitalis purpurea)    “The name "foxglove" was first recorded in the year 1542 by Leonard Fuchs whose family name, Fuchs, is the German word for "fox" (the plant genus Fuchsia is also named for him). The genus digitalis is from the latin digitus (finger), perhaps referencing the shape of the flowers, which accommodate a finger when fully formed”

Ox eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) Moon daisy  

Leopard's-bane    (Doronicum pardalianches)     “The name is derived from the Arab term for the plant, doronigi, and its nickname, leopard's bane, refers to its reputed ability to ward off wild animals". It grows in late spring so there are very few flowers left.

Ratstail   Greater plantain   (Plantago major)   The flowering spike is like a rat’s tail

Meadow Goatsbeard  (Tragopogon pratensi)  Jack-go -to-bed-at-noon    "Goatsbeard" refers to the fuzzy seed head. The genus Tragopogon is from two Greek words, tragos, meaning 'goat' and pogon, meaning 'beard'. The species, pratensis means 'of the meadows' - a typical habitat”  The flowers close in early afternoon

Giant hogweed   (Heracleum mantygazzlanum)  Cartwheel plant   An invasive tall species of cow parsley that grows up to 3 metres (10 ft) and whose irritant hairs and sap can cause a severe reaction if touched

Comments
Sign in or get an account to comment.