Spring flowers by any other name ...

The first flowers of spring are beautiful, of course, lovely in themselves and as a reminder that winter is finally over. Many of them have a less obvious beauty as well: Their names are etymologically fascinating.  

Let’s start with daffodils. These bright yellow and white flowers were originally known, which also referred to another plant with yellow and white flowers, the asphodel. By the 16th century, had acquired a “d.” In the Renaissance these were sometimes also called “daffadowndillies,” which is just so much fun to say. Imagine asking your neighbor, “How are your daffadowndillies doing?”