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How did the bluebell get its Latin name

cat631

By Cat631

United Kingdom

Endymion, a mythical character, was condemed to sleep forever (I think)
Non scriptus. I assume means not much written about. Can anyone explain please how this name relates to the lovely bluebell?


On plant Endymion non scriptus


Answers

 

Hi, i've just googled it too, being a bit of a wordy-nerd I'd wondered about its origin.
Hyacinthoides non scripta: "unwritten", to distinguish it from the legend of Hyacinth that WAS written about (?) Sounds a bit weird to me, but that's what the Wildlife Trust thinks is the reason! The same page says that bluebells have gone through 4 different scientific names recently. Do you know it under Endymion?

5 Jun, 2009

 

Hello Weeding and thanks for your reply. I always knew the bluebell as Endymion but over a number of years noted the use of various other names.Usually, the great god Google provides the answer but not this time.Best regards, Ralph.

5 Jun, 2009

 

If you just Google 'Endymion' you get lots of references to Keats...who was a writer, so maybe the 'non scriptus' is to distinguish it from him!!

5 Jun, 2009

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