Flower Nicknames: 20 Flowers and How They Were Nicknamed

Many flowers have interesting nicknames, mostly done from their shape or a unique characteristic. These flowers all have nicknames they are known from more than their scientific name. If you are interested in the why behind flower naming, these 20 will tell you how they got their name.

1) Angel's Trumpet (Datura spp.) White airy trumpet shaped blooms not only look like musical instruments, buy they are quite poisonous. The fact they could lead you to see "angels" makes this "trumpet" the Angel's Trumpet.

2) Fleabane (Erigeron spp.) Early American settlers used this plant to ward off insects. Thus it is said to be the bane of fleas.

3) Cupid's dart (Catananche caerulea) The ancient Greeks believed the flower inspired passionate thoughts, much like the arrows of Cupid.

4) Roof Iris (Iris tectorum) During the Imperial days of Japan, irises were banned from growing in gardens. Some gardeners and iris enthusiasts got around this by growing them on the room. Hence the nickname "roof iris".

5) Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) This plant was so nicknamed for the simple nature of having large rounded white flowers that stay open all night.

6) Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) The Latin word for dove is "Columba". This plant is said to resemble a flock of doves who have gathered together.

7) Birdfoot violet (Viola pedata) The leaves of this plant are so deeply divided that they look like a bird's foot.

8) Johnny Jump Ups (Viola tricolor) This pretty flower will self sow its seeds and they pop, or jump, up all over the place.

9) Trout lily (Erythronium americanum) The leaves of a trout lily are spotted up to look like a trout fish while the flower of it are similar looking to smaller lilies.

10) Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpurea) This flower supposedly is named for a Native American medicine man. It was used as a healing plant.

11) Gas Plant (Dictamnus albus) This plant emits a gaseous vapor that will light on a still night if you have a flame. Both the leaves and flowers will do this parlour trick.

12) Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) These flowers have blooms that will only last 24 hours, hence it's a lily for a day.