Names and Fritillarias
Jane McGary (Wed, 03 Mar 2004 14:54:52 PST)
I think the disclosure that there is a now invalid genus Orithyia settles
the question of the origin of this name. I haven't grown Amana edulis (or
Tulipa edulis) through I have tried seed a couple of times, without
germination.
Jim wrote,
Your suggested etymology for Orithyia sounds good to me, too. I considered
going the maenad route, but opted for the seemingly simpler mountain
juniper. In any case, I think the maenad business is simply a metaphoric
extension of the mountain juniper business. I'll bet that in countries with
goats and sheep, there must be lots of metaphors and stories derived from
the ability of some conspicuous plants to survive where everything else has
been eaten.
Jane, you are well ahead of me here in Maryland: Fritillaria ariana has yet
to emerge above ground; in fact, even the most advanced frits are just
little green noses right at ground level. I wish we were close neighbors -
I might even let you borrow my Liddell & Scott. : )
Well, no, the word for 'maenad' comes from a verb meaning 'to sacrifice
animals' (or unbelieving local kings, presumably). I have my own Liddell &
Scott, thanks -- part of my undergraduate library.
I'm surprised that northern Oregon is ahead of Maryland, which is if
anything a bit warmer in winter most years. Perhaps it has to do with when
Jim and I, respectively, start watering? Here, F. eduardii, ariana, and
stenanthera are well advanced, some of the Greek island species and lowland
TUrkish ones are just opening, and a couple of Chinese species -- purchased
from China via Paul CHristian and now flowering for the first time after
years of struggle to recover from their circumaviation of the globe -- are
about to open. The last, naturally, are completely mixed up as to naming.
F. messanensis is opening in both the garden and the bulb frame.
Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA
Jim McKenney
jimmckenney@starpower.net
Montgomery County Maryland zone 7
_______________________________________________
pbs mailing list
pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php