Cheiranthus

/kaɪˈrænθəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of flowering plants commonly known as wallflowers, with fragrant yellow, orange, or red blooms.

Etymology

From Greek χείρ (cheír) 'hand' and ἄνθος (ánthos) 'flower,' literally meaning 'hand-flower,' possibly because the clusters resemble an open hand.

Kelly Says

Wallflowers got their scientific name from the way their flower clusters fan out like fingers—Renaissance botanists were poetic observers who saw hands, faces, and creatures in plant shapes.

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