Monday, May 28, 2012

hairy pink ~ 05/28/12 ~ Fort Ord

petrorhagia / hairy pink
Petrorhagia dubia
Caryophyllaceae

This flower has many common names. It's also known as windmill pink, which I think gets people confused since it's also known as wilding pink. For folks with hearing impairments like me, that could easily sound like windmill pink. Both Jane and David Styer pointed out the very large ovary on this flower from two different trips with each as my field guide. I think this must be important, because the MBC CNPS lists from 2010 matches David's list. However, it got changed back to childing pink (Petrorhagia prolifera) for the 2012 list. Which is correct? Or are both spp. growing in the same areas? It's unfortunate that people have taken up to calling this pink grass, which is also another common name for the 3 spp. of Petrorhagia in CA, all non-natives originating from the Mediterranean region.

5 comments:

randomtruth said...

Yes, but windmill, hairy or indian - why do they have the name "pink"? Hint: it's not because some are that color... :)

Cindy said...

As a former seamstress, the name "pink" made sense to me once I was told the secret.

Katie (Nature ID) said...

Ken, you had me on a search for Latin and Greek name derivations for family and genus names, and I came up empty. Btw, have you seen this site: http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/index.html ?

Thanks, Cindy. I don't think I would have figured that one out on my own. Pinking shears, like the edges of carnation petals (the namesake for the family name).

Cindy said...

Bingo! I am enjoying these interblog plays on words and learning.

randomtruth said...

Te he. :)

I had not seen that name explanation site Katie - good stuff.

Along with word origins, the other fun info I enjoy learning about our natives is the history of their collection and naming. If y'all have a chance, pick up California's Frontier Naturalists on UC Press. Good read.