Neoteny is tricky

Delphinium before it opens 2011

Some plants I have a very difficult time figuring out what they are when they’re still…unfurling.

Fortunately, my super-botanically aware neighbor came by and identified these as (hybrid) delphiniums…. The specimen is in another neighbors’ gorgeous flower garden….

I do have to mention that delphiniums are in the family Ranunculaceae, which is one of those fine words that r-o-l-l-s off the tongue with sonar elegance.

2 comments

  1. Pooh says:

    My favorite for r-o-l-l-i-n-g off the tongue is “endoplasmic reticulum”.

  2. Robert & Mary Jo says:

    How about “ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny”, my favorite phrase.