Name that Flower!

Have you ever wondered how a flower got its name? Here’s the surprising origins of the names of four flowers!

IRIS: Greek, named after the goddess Iris, messenger of the gods. She was often depicted as a rainbow, and the flower’s name alludes to the many vibrant colors available.

SNAPDRAGON: You can open and close a snapdragon’s flower by gently squeezing the sides of the “jaws”, making it look like a snapping dragon. The name has been used for centuries, even appearing in Shakespeare.

HYACINTH: A youth in Greek myth, Hyakinthos, was killed by the god Zephyr out of jealousy. From his blood on the ground grew the hyacinth flower.

CARNATION: With pink being the natural color of carnations (hence the alternative name, “pinks”) the name of the flower is attributed to the Latin “carnis”, meaning “flesh”. Another theory is from the Latin “corone”, as carnations were often used in garlands for ancient coronations.