The following is an excerpt from my new book Into the Words: An Etymologist's Field Guide to Plants, Animals, and Nature. Botanically, a flower is the reproductive structure of angiosperms, often with petals and sepals, and historically associated with fragrance and beauty. To your average person, they’re a lovely and often fragrant adornment for their… Continue reading Wanderworts, Rainbows, and Genitalia: The Unexpected Etymology of Flower Names
