Jim McKenney is right: it was named in honour of the French explorer, Laperouse. but it must have been entirely honorifiv in intent, as he had no connection with the botanical exploration of southern Africa. John Grimshaw Visit John Grimshaw's Garden Diary http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com/ Dr. John M. Grimshaw Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567 Snowdrops at Colesbourne Park 2012 Every Saturday and Sunday in February and 3-4 March from 1pm Guided group tours on weekdays by appointment. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim McKenney" <jamesamckenney@verizon.net> Jim W. wrote " The genus name comes from the same Latin source as Lapis a gem stone of intense blue color." Jim, are you sure? I would have thought it was named for someone with the French name La Perouse, maybe the Comte de La Perouse, eighteenth century navigator and explorer? The genus was named by French botanist Pierre André Pourret de Figeac, 1754-1818. So the timing is right, but this is just a guess on my part. Jim McKenney _______________________________________________