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74 Botanical Girl Names, From Garden Classics to Rare Wildflower Finds

Flowers and plants have been used as girl names for centuries, and it is easy to see why. They carry color, season, and scent into a name before a child ever says a word. A botanical name can feel soft and vintage or bright and modern, depending on the flower and how it is styled.

This list moves through the botanical world in stages. It starts with the flower names everyone already knows and loves, then opens into tree names, herbs and greenery, wild and woodland blooms, names borrowed from other languages, rare and unusual finds, and finally a few modern botanical blends for parents who want something that barely anyone else has used yet.

Credit: @mrs.lilly__

The flower names every parent already recognizes, and for good reason

These are the classics: familiar, easy to say, and still fresh generation after generation.

ROSE

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Rose flower

Pronunciation: ROHZ

Famous: Rose Byrne, actress

Pairing: Rose Adeline

Why: Rose is the flower name that started it all, simple and timeless in a single syllable. It works as a first name or middle and never feels dated.

LILY

Origin: English

Meaning: Lily flower

Pronunciation: LIL-ee

Famous: Lily Collins, actress

Pairing: Lily Marguerite

Why: Lily has a light, airy sound that suits a baby and grows easily into adulthood. It has held steady popularity for decades without losing its charm.

VIOLET

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Purple flower

Pronunciation: VY-oh-let

Famous: Violet Affleck

Pairing: Violet Anne

Why: Violet pairs a soft color with a delicate flower, giving it a vintage charm that has come roaring back. It sounds equally at home on a toddler or a grandmother.

DAISY

Origin: English

Meaning: Day’s eye

Pronunciation: DAY-zee

Famous: Daisy Ridley, actress

Pairing: Daisy June

Why: Daisy feels cheerful and unpretentious, evoking sunny fields and simple happiness. It has an old-fashioned sweetness that never fully goes out of style.

IRIS

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Rainbow

Pronunciation: EYE-riss

Famous: Iris, Greek goddess of the rainbow

Pairing: Iris Wren

Why: Iris is short, sharp, and full of color, tied to both a striking flower and a mythological messenger goddess. It reads as confident without trying too hard.

JASMINE

Origin: Persian

Meaning: Gift from God, fragrant flower

Pronunciation: JAZ-min

Famous: Princess Jasmine, Aladdin

Pairing: Jasmine Farah

Why: Jasmine carries the scent of its namesake flower right into its sound, warm and a little exotic. It has been a steady favorite across many cultures for good reason.

POPPY

Origin: English

Meaning: Poppy flower

Pronunciation: PAH-pee

Famous: Poppy Delevingne

Pairing: Poppy Elise

Why: Poppy is bright red energy packed into two playful syllables. It has surged in popularity for its spunky, vintage-British charm.

DAHLIA

Origin: Scandinavian

Meaning: Valley flower

Pronunciation: DAHL-yah

Famous: Named for botanist Anders Dahl

Pairing: Dahlia Rose

Why: Dahlia has a rich, layered sound that mirrors the flower’s ruffled petals. It feels a touch more unusual than Rose or Lily while staying easy to say.

MARIGOLD

Origin: English

Meaning: Mary’s gold

Pronunciation: MAIR-ee-gohld

Famous: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, film title

Pairing: Marigold Faye

Why: Marigold is warm and golden, a name that sounds like autumn light. It has a storybook quality that stands out without feeling forced.

CAMELLIA

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Camellia flower

Pronunciation: kuh-MEEL-yah

Famous: Named after botanist Georg Kamel

Pairing: Camellia Sky

Why: Camellia has an elegant, flowing sound with a built-in nickname in Millie or Cami. It suits parents who want floral without going with a name everyone already knows.

AZALEA

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Dry earth

Pronunciation: uh-ZAY-lee-uh

Famous: Iggy Azalea, musician

Pairing: Azalea Brooke

Why: Azalea has a bouncy, musical rhythm and shortens naturally to Zalea or Lea. It brings a splash of color without being an overused flower name.

PETUNIA

Origin: Tupi-Guarani

Meaning: Petunia flower

Pronunciation: peh-TOO-nyah

Famous: Petunia Dursley, Harry Potter

Pairing: Petunia Wren

Why: Petunia is playful and a little old-fashioned, the kind of name that makes people smile. It suits a spirited child who does not mind standing out.

MAGNOLIA

Origin: French

Meaning: Named after botanist Pierre Magnol

Pronunciation: mag-NOH-lee-uh

Famous: Magnolia, Southern state flower symbol

Pairing: Magnolia Jane

Why: Magnolia has a lush, Southern warmth and a built-in nickname in Nola or Maggie. It feels grand without being fussy.

ZINNIA

Origin: German

Meaning: Named after botanist Johann Zinn

Pronunciation: ZIN-ee-uh

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Zinnia Belle

Why: Zinnia has a crisp, cheerful sound that matches the flower’s bold summer color. It stands out on a class roster while still being easy to pronounce.

HAZEL

Origin: English

Meaning: Hazel tree

Pronunciation: HAY-zul

Famous: Hazel Grace, The Fault in Our Stars

Pairing: Hazel Quinn

Why: Hazel is warm and earthy, tied to both the tree and a soft brown eye color. It has a vintage familiarity that still feels current.

AMARYLLIS

Origin: Greek

Meaning: To sparkle

Pronunciation: am-uh-RIL-iss

Famous: A shepherdess in Greek pastoral poetry

Pairing: Amaryllis June

Why: Amaryllis is a striking winter-blooming flower and a name with real sparkle to match. It shortens comfortably to Amy or Rilla for everyday use.

PRIMROSE

Origin: English

Meaning: First rose

Pronunciation: PRIM-rohz

Famous: Primrose Everdeen, The Hunger Games

Pairing: Primrose Kate

Why: Primrose blends a proper, old-English feel with the softness of a spring bloom. It gives an easy nickname in Rose or Posy while staying distinct on its own.

Tree and forest names, for a girl with steady, grounded roots

Named for the trees themselves rather than their flowers, these lean strong, calm, and rooted.

WILLOW

Origin: English

Meaning: Willow tree

Pronunciation: WIL-oh

Famous: Willow Smith, musician

Pairing: Willow Grace

Why: Willow evokes a graceful, bending tree that survives every storm. It has become a modern staple thanks to its soft sound and nature-forward meaning.

OLIVE

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Olive tree

Pronunciation: AH-liv

Famous: Olive Kitteridge, novel and TV series

Pairing: Olive Frances

Why: Olive carries a symbol of peace along with an old-fashioned, spunky sound. It has surged as parents look for vintage names with real character.

LAUREL

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Laurel tree, symbol of victory

Pronunciation: LAWR-ul

Famous: Laurel Hardy, comedy duo namesake

Pairing: Laurel Simone

Why: Laurel comes from the wreath given to victors, giving it a quiet sense of achievement. It sounds classic and unfussy, easy to grow into any profession.

MAPLE

Origin: English

Meaning: Maple tree

Pronunciation: MAY-pul

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Maple Josephine

Why: Maple brings autumn color and syrup-sweet warmth into a single easy syllable pair. It feels cozy and distinctly North American.

HOLLY

Origin: English

Meaning: Holly tree

Pronunciation: HAH-lee

Famous: Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Pairing: Holly Beatrice

Why: Holly has a crisp, wintry brightness tied to the evergreen shrub’s red berries. It stays short, cheerful, and easy for a child to say early on.

LINDEN

Origin: German

Meaning: Linden tree

Pronunciation: LIN-den

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Linden Mae

Why: Linden feels sturdy and a little unexpected, borrowed from a shade tree loved across Europe. It works well for parents drawn to nature names outside the usual list.

ROWAN

Origin: Gaelic

Meaning: Little red one, rowan tree

Pronunciation: ROH-en

Famous: Rowan Blanchard, actress

Pairing: Rowan Isabel

Why: Rowan is a unisex favorite that leans slightly softer for a girl while keeping its outdoorsy edge. The rowan tree was long believed to offer protection, giving the name a bit of folklore charm.

JUNIPER

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Juniper tree

Pronunciation: JOO-nih-per

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Juniper Sage

Why: Juniper is fresh, piney, and a little spirited, with June as a built-in nickname. It has quickly become a favorite for parents wanting nature names with real personality.

ASH

Origin: English

Meaning: Ash tree

Pronunciation: ASH

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Ash Marigold

Why: Ash is short, quiet, and slightly moody in a good way, borrowed from a tall, resilient tree. It works well alone or as a nickname for Ashley or Asha.

ALDER

Origin: English

Meaning: Alder tree

Pronunciation: AWL-der

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Alder Vivienne

Why: Alder has a woodsy, understated strength, named for a tree that thrives near water. It suits parents who want a nature name that has not been used everywhere yet.

SEQUOIA

Origin: Cherokee

Meaning: Named after Cherokee leader Sequoyah

Pronunciation: suh-KOY-uh

Famous: Sequoia National Park

Pairing: Sequoia Wren

Why: Sequoia calls up towering redwood forests and quiet, ancient strength. It is bold and distinctive for parents who want a name that stands tall.

CEDAR

Origin: English

Meaning: Cedar tree

Pronunciation: SEE-der

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cedar Ruth

Why: Cedar has a warm, woodsy scent built right into its sound, tied to a tree long valued for its strength. It feels grounded and a little unexpected for a girl’s name.

Herbs, greenery, and kitchen-garden names for something a little more unexpected

Beyond flowers, these borrow from herbs and green growing things, earthy and fresh rather than sweet.

SAGE

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Wise, sage herb

Pronunciation: SAYJ

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Sage Eleanor

Why: Sage does double duty as an herb name and a virtue name, suggesting wisdom beyond its years. It is short, calm, and easy to pair with almost any middle name.

IVY

Origin: English

Meaning: Ivy plant, faithfulness

Pronunciation: EYE-vee

Famous: Ivy League, associated academic prestige

Pairing: Ivy Charlotte

Why: Ivy is climbing, resilient greenery packed into two crisp letters at its core. It has become a fast favorite for its short, storybook sound.

FERN

Origin: English

Meaning: Fern plant

Pronunciation: FURN

Famous: Fern Arable, Charlotte’s Web

Pairing: Fern Amelia

Why: Fern is quiet, woodland, and a little literary, thanks to its gentle association with Charlotte’s Web. It feels understated in the best way.

BASIL

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Royal, kingly herb

Pronunciation: BAY-zul

Famous: Traditionally more common for boys, gaining unisex use

Pairing: Basil June

Why: Basil brings a fresh, herby brightness with a regal meaning underneath. It is an adventurous pick for parents drawn to kitchen-garden names.

CLOVER

Origin: English

Meaning: Clover plant, luck

Pronunciation: KLOH-ver

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Clover Mae

Why: Clover has a sweet, folksy charm and an old association with good luck. It feels playful without being fussy, easy for a child to grow into.

HEATHER

Origin: English

Meaning: Heather plant

Pronunciation: HETH-er

Famous: Heathers, 1988 film

Pairing: Heather Lynn

Why: Heather calls up windswept Scottish hillsides covered in purple bloom. It has a soft, familiar sound that has aged into a quiet classic.

MYRTLE

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Myrtle plant, love

Pronunciation: MUR-tul

Famous: Myrtle, associated with the goddess Aphrodite

Pairing: Myrtle Adeline

Why: Myrtle has an old-world charm tied to an evergreen shrub long linked with love. It suits parents drawn to grandmother-style names ready for a comeback.

HYACINTH

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Hyacinth flower

Pronunciation: HY-uh-sinth

Famous: A figure in Greek mythology loved by Apollo

Pairing: Hyacinth Pearl

Why: Hyacinth is fragrant and dramatic, tied to a mythological tale of devotion. It shortens easily to Cyn or Hy for daily use.

ROSEMARY

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Dew of the sea

Pronunciation: ROHZ-mair-ee

Famous: Rosemary Clooney, singer

Pairing: Rosemary Frances

Why: Rosemary blends two names into one, herby and floral at once. It has an old-fashioned warmth with easy nicknames in Romy or Posy.

AMBROSIA

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Food of the gods, fragrant herb

Pronunciation: am-BROH-zhuh

Famous: The mythical food of the Greek gods

Pairing: Ambrosia Faye

Why: Ambrosia has a lush, mythic sweetness that few other herb names carry. It suits a parent looking for something rare with real weight behind it.

Wild and woodland blooms, for a name that feels a little untamed

These lean toward the wilder edges of the botanical world, meadow flowers and forest blooms rather than garden staples.

MEADOW

Origin: English

Meaning: Grassy field

Pronunciation: MED-oh

Famous: Meadow Soprano, The Sopranos

Pairing: Meadow Iris

Why: Meadow suggests wide-open fields full of wildflowers rather than a single bloom. It has a breezy, unstructured feel that suits an easygoing child.

BRIAR

Origin: English

Meaning: Thorny wild rose bush

Pronunciation: BRY-er

Famous: Briar Rose, alternate name for Sleeping Beauty

Pairing: Briar Josephine

Why: Briar has a little edge to it, thorns alongside the blossom. It suits a spirited girl who is sweet but not without some bite.

WISTERIA

Origin: English

Meaning: Named after anatomist Caspar Wistar

Pronunciation: wis-TEER-ee-uh

Famous: Wisteria Lane, Desperate Housewives

Pairing: Wisteria Bloom

Why: Wisteria brings to mind cascading purple vines climbing an old fence. It is lush and a little dramatic for parents who want something rarely heard.

BLUEBELL

Origin: English

Meaning: Bluebell flower

Pronunciation: BLOO-bel

Famous: Bluebell woods, common across the UK countryside

Pairing: Bluebell Rose

Why: Bluebell calls up carpets of blue in an English wood each spring. It is whimsical and a touch storybook, suited to a dreamy child.

THISTLE

Origin: Scottish

Meaning: Thistle flower, national emblem of Scotland

Pronunciation: THIS-ul

Famous: National flower of Scotland

Pairing: Thistle Wren

Why: Thistle is prickly on the outside but purple and soft within, much like its Scottish symbolism of resilience. It suits a girl with a strong, independent streak.

MARSH

Origin: English

Meaning: Marshland

Pronunciation: MARSH

Famous: Modern rare name

Pairing: Marsh Delilah

Why: Marsh is an unusual, moody nature name that suggests reeds and wetland quiet. It suits parents chasing something genuinely rare rather than trending.

COWSLIP

Origin: English

Meaning: Wild primrose flower

Pronunciation: KOW-slip

Famous: A wildflower celebrated in English folk poetry

Pairing: Cowslip Anne

Why: Cowslip is charmingly old and countryside in feel, a true rarity today. It suits a parent who wants something truly one of a kind.

FOXGLOVE

Origin: English

Meaning: Foxglove flower

Pronunciation: FOKS-gluv

Famous: A tall spotted wildflower found in cottage gardens

Pairing: Foxglove Ivy

Why: Foxglove is dramatic and a little wild, with spotted bell-shaped blooms that stand tall in any garden. It suits a bold parent looking for a name nobody else will have.

SORREL

Origin: French

Meaning: Reddish brown, sorrel plant

Pronunciation: SOR-el

Famous: Modern rare name

Pairing: Sorrel Kate

Why: Sorrel is earthy and warm, tied to a tangy wild herb with a reddish tint. It feels grounded and unusual without being hard to say.

Names borrowed from other languages, for a flower with worldly roots

Botanical names take on new shape and sound in other languages, offering options beyond the usual English picks.

FLEUR

Origin: French

Meaning: Flower

Pronunciation: FLUR

Famous: Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter

Pairing: Fleur Simone

Why: Fleur is the simplest possible botanical name, French for flower itself. It has a light, elegant sound that needs no elaboration.

SAKURA

Origin: Japanese

Meaning: Cherry blossom

Pronunciation: sah-KOO-rah

Famous: Celebrated each spring during Japan’s cherry blossom season

Pairing: Sakura Mei

Why: Sakura carries the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom. It has a gentle rhythm and deep cultural resonance in Japan.

LOTUS

Origin: Greek/Sanskrit

Meaning: Lotus flower, purity

Pronunciation: LOH-tus

Famous: Sacred flower in Hindu and Buddhist tradition

Pairing: Lotus Amara

Why: Lotus carries deep spiritual meaning across several traditions, symbolizing purity rising from muddy water. It has a smooth, grounded sound that works well as a standalone name.

ROSALIND

Origin: Spanish/Latin

Meaning: Pretty rose

Pronunciation: ROZ-uh-lind

Famous: Rosalind, heroine of Shakespeare’s As You Like It

Pairing: Rosalind Pearl

Why: Rosalind dresses up the simple Rose with literary polish and a Shakespearean pedigree. It offers Ros, Roz, or Lindy as easy nicknames.

LEILANI

Origin: Hawaiian

Meaning: Heavenly flowers, royal child

Pronunciation: lay-LAH-nee

Famous: A traditional Hawaiian name used since the 1800s

Pairing: Leilani Grace

Why: Leilani has a musical, lilting sound tied to garlands of heavenly flowers. It carries genuine cultural depth alongside its floral meaning.

YASMIN

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: Jasmine flower

Pronunciation: YAZ-min

Famous: Princess Yasmin Aga Khan

Pairing: Yasmin Noor

Why: Yasmin is the Arabic root behind Jasmine, fragrant and elegant in its own right. It has been a beloved name across the Middle East and South Asia for generations.

FIORELLA

Origin: Italian

Meaning: Little flower

Pronunciation: fyoh-REL-lah

Famous: Modern rising name in Italy

Pairing: Fiorella Anne

Why: Fiorella has an operatic, romantic quality that feels distinctly Italian. It offers Fiora or Ella as natural nicknames.

LINNEA

Origin: Scandinavian

Meaning: Named after botanist Carl Linnaeus, twinflower

Pronunciation: lin-AY-uh

Famous: Sweden’s national flower, named for the father of taxonomy

Pairing: Linnea Sofia

Why: Linnea is quietly beautiful, tied to the small twinflower that grows in Scandinavian forests. It suits a parent who loves botanical names with a bit of scientific history.

XOCHITL

Origin: Nahuatl

Meaning: Flower

Pronunciation: SO-chee

Famous: Xochitl Gomez, actress

Pairing: Xochitl Rosa

Why: Xochitl carries deep roots in Aztec and Mexican culture, meaning simply flower. It brings a striking, unmistakably original sound to any name list.

BLOSSOM

Origin: English

Meaning: Flower cluster on a tree

Pronunciation: BLAH-som

Famous: Blossom, 1990s TV series

Pairing: Blossom Wren

Why: Blossom is sweet and springlike, suggesting fresh growth and new beginnings. It works nicely as a middle name for parents who want something more understated up front.

Rare and unusual botanical finds for parents who want something truly one of a kind

For families who have already ruled out the popular picks, these are the true rare finds.

CALLA

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Beautiful, calla lily

Pronunciation: KAL-uh

Famous: Modern rising name tied to the calla lily

Pairing: Calla Genevieve

Why: Calla has a clean, sculptural elegance that matches the flower’s smooth trumpet shape. It is short, striking, and rarely repeated in a classroom.

ANEMONE

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Windflower

Pronunciation: uh-NEM-oh-nee

Famous: A flower tied to Greek myths of loss and renewal

Pairing: Anemone Skye

Why: Anemone is delicate and unusual, named for a flower that sways easily in the wind. It suits parents who want something rare with genuine poetic weight.

GENTIANA

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Gentian flower

Pronunciation: jen-shee-AH-nah

Famous: Named after Illyrian king Gentius

Pairing: Gentiana Wren

Why: Gentiana names a vivid blue mountain flower with a deep, historic root. It has an operatic sound while still shortening comfortably to Gigi or Jen.

FREESIA

Origin: German

Meaning: Named after physician Friedrich Freese

Pronunciation: FREE-zhuh

Famous: A fragrant flower popular in bridal bouquets

Pairing: Freesia Nell

Why: Freesia is fragrant, breezy, and slightly unusual, a step beyond the more common floral picks. It suits a parent who wants a fresh sound with romantic softness.

CALENDULA

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Little calendar, marigold

Pronunciation: kuh-LEN-dyoo-lah

Famous: A healing herb used across centuries of folk medicine

Pairing: Calendula Rae

Why: Calendula has real texture and history, a golden herb long prized for its healing qualities. It shortens naturally to Callie or Della for daily use.

TANSY

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Immortality, tansy flower

Pronunciation: TAN-zee

Famous: A yellow-button wildflower found across the English countryside

Pairing: Tansy Iris

Why: Tansy is bright, spunky, and full of old-world charm, a true rarity today. It works well for a parent chasing something genuinely uncommon.

OSMANTHUS

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Fragrant flower

Pronunciation: oz-MAN-thus

Famous: A fragrant flowering shrub prized in East Asian gardens

Pairing: Osmanthus Wren

Why: Osmanthus is a true rarity, sweet-smelling and rich in East Asian garden tradition. It suits a parent looking for something genuinely unheard of on any playground.

PIMPERNEL

Origin: French

Meaning: Scarlet pimpernel flower

Pronunciation: PIM-per-nel

Famous: The Scarlet Pimpernel, classic novel and film

Pairing: Pimpernel Sky

Why: Pimpernel carries a literary flair from its famous novel namesake, mysterious and a little bold. It suits a parent who wants a name with a story built in.

Modern botanical blends and nickname-style picks for a fresh, low-key feel

Casual, easy-to-wear names that borrow botanical roots without sounding formal or old-fashioned.

BLOOM

Origin: Modern

Meaning: Flower in bloom

Pronunciation: BLOOM

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Bloom Harper

Why: Bloom is a word name turned first name, direct and full of optimism. It reads modern and clean without any extra syllables to slow it down.

WREN

Origin: English

Meaning: Small songbird, often paired with botanical names

Pronunciation: REN

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Wren Marigold

Why: Wren is technically a bird name, but it pairs so naturally with garden and forest names that it belongs on any nature-inspired list. It is short, modern, and easy to say at any age.

PETAL

Origin: Modern

Meaning: Flower petal

Pronunciation: PET-ul

Famous: Modern rare name

Pairing: Petal Joy

Why: Petal is soft and delicate, a word name that keeps things simple and sweet. It suits a parent who wants something gentle rather than grand.

MOSS

Origin: English

Meaning: Moss plant

Pronunciation: MAWS

Famous: Kate Moss, model

Pairing: Moss Adaline

Why: Moss is quiet and understated, evoking soft green forest floors rather than showy blooms. It is unusual for a girl but works well as a modern, minimal choice.

FLORA

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Flower, goddess of flowers

Pronunciation: FLOR-uh

Famous: Flora, Roman goddess of flowers and spring

Pairing: Flora Jean

Why: Flora is the most direct botanical name of all, straight from the Roman goddess of flowers herself. It feels timeless and effortless at the same time.

BRYONY

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Bryony vine

Pronunciation: BRY-oh-nee

Famous: A climbing vine common in British hedgerows

Pairing: Bryony Faye

Why: Bryony has a light, breezy sound that feels both modern and rooted in the English countryside. It is easy to say but still unusual enough to stand out.

TULIP

Origin: Persian/Turkish

Meaning: Turban, tulip flower

Pronunciation: TOO-lip

Famous: Symbol of the Dutch Golden Age flower trade

Pairing: Tulip Josephine

Why: Tulip is bright, cheerful, and a little bit unexpected as a given name rather than a garden staple. It suits a parent who wants a bold, colorful pick that still feels wearable.

ORCHID

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Orchid flower

Pronunciation: OR-kid

Famous: A prized flower symbolizing rare beauty

Pairing: Orchid Sun

Why: Orchid signals rare, exotic beauty, one of the more striking blooms in the plant world. It is a confident, unusual choice for parents ready to move past the more common flower names.