Gazania

/ɡəˈzeɪniə/ noun

Definition

A genus of colorful flowering plants native to South Africa, known for their bright daisy-like flowers that are popular in gardens.

Etymology

Named after Theodore of Gaza, a 15th-century Greek scholar and translator, by Carl Linnaeus when classifying plants; the naming convention honored important scholars by attaching their names to new species.

Kelly Says

It's wild that a beautiful modern garden flower is named after a medieval translator—Linnaeus was essentially creating a botanical honor roll by naming species after people he admired.

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