Linnaeus (1707-1778), the father of modern taxonomy, developed the classification system now widely in use by scientists for naming organisms based on their physiological features in groups such as family, genus, and species, each with a unique Latin name to prevent ambiguity.
Linnaeus was a great lover of flowers. He observed that some flowers wakeup and go to bed at the same time each day. He designed this clock of flowers:
My own clock runs around marigolds. The flowers are arranged by color, not by time.
“The marigold that goes to bed wi’ the sun,
And with him rises weeping.”
-Shakespeare, a Winter’s Tale
In Shakespeare’s time there was a very strong belief that the marigold follows the sun. The Latin name, Calendula officianalis, refers to its reputed habit of blossoming on the first days of every month of the year. The flower was “an emblem of constancy in affection and sympathy in joy and sorrow, and also an emblem of the fawning courtier, who could only shine when everything is bright” (Book of Herb Lore by R. Northcote).
Below I list the flowers of each dial and the etymologies of their Latin names by genus and species, some of which were coined by Linnaeus himself. All of the flowers were collected from the Queens College campus on November 11th, and the places where each is found are included.
Sheep’s ears leaves (Verbascum Thapsus) are the frame of each flower dial. They are found in neglected waste places (See post below-A Single Evening Primrose).
Verbascum: a name for bearded stamens.
Thapsus: from the Island of Thapsos.
12:00 Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). Found growing on lawns, curbs, and southern (sunnier) sides of buildings.
Lamium translates as “gullet,” referring to the gaping mouth of the flower. Amplexicaule refers to leaves that embrace the stem.
1:00 Pokeweed berries (Phytolacca americana). Found in neglected waste places (See post below-A Single Evening Primrose).
Phtyolacca: Plant-dye (refers to the black juice of the fruit)
Americana: American
2:00 Sweet clovers (Trifolium pratense). Growing on lawns and fields in good sunlight.
Trifolium: three leaved
Pratense: of the meadows
3:00 Roses (Rosa). Growing by the Summit.
Rosa: Latin name for rose.
4:00 Bittersweet nightshade fruits (Solanum dulcamara). North sides of buildings, waste places on the edge of lawns.
Solanum: comforter.
dulcamara: bittersweet.
5:00 White snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum). Found in neglected waste places (See post below-A Single Evening Primrose).
Eupotorium: for Mithridates Eupator, King of Pontus, reputedly immune to poisons through repeated experimentation with them upon himself to find their counters. The plant is highly toxic and has killed many people who have partaken of the milk of cows that have eaten this plant.
Rugosum: wrinkled
6:00 Goldenrod (Solidago). Brunfel’s name for its use as a healing medicine. There are only a few non-native goldenrods cultivated in gardens.
Solidago: Brunfel’s name for its use as a healing medicine.
7:00 Cat’s ear (Hypochaeris radicata). Growing wild and dispersed singularly all over many lawns.
Hypochaeris: Name comparing the pig’s belly bristles to those on the lower leaf surface of some species
Radicata: with roots
8:00 Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). Found in neglected waste places (See post below-A Single Evening Primrose)
Oenothera: Ass-catcher, or Wine-seeking
Biennis: of two years
9:00 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Growing robustly and odiferous in the courtyard garden of the campus dormitory (the Summit).
Lavandula: to wash
Angustifolia: narrow-flowered
10:00 Blazing star (Liastris). Growing ornamentally in the garden west of the Summit.
Liastris: derivation uncertain, either booty, smooth or bald.
11:00 Heal-all (Prunella vulgaris). Growing on sides of buildings and remote corners of lawns.
Prunella: Named after a cure for quinsy (an infectious disease).
Vulgaris: usual, of the crowd, vulgar
The Day-Lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus) is the last to close at 8P.M. Have a sweet night!
Hemerocallis: Beautiful for a day
Lilioasphodelus: Having flowers suggesting both Lily and Silver rod.
