I enjoy taxonomy and binomial nomenclature as much as anybody. For instance the scientific name of this plant — once under consideration to be state flower of California — is Romneya coulteri. This is partly in homage to Irish astronomer John Thomas Romney Robinson (the genus name — Romneya) and partly in homage to his fellow countryman and friend, physician, botanist, and explorer Thomas Coulter (the species name — coulteri).
But sometimes it’s just as fascinating … or perhaps it’s more fascinating … to hear about the so-called “common names” of a plant. This flower for instance is often called Matilija poppy, and here is a story told by Chumash descendent Julie Tumamait-Stenslie describing why it has this name:
We grew up hearing about Chief Matilija and his group of warriors who tried to fight off the ever-present armies. In the myth, the story goes on to tell of Chief Matilija’s daughter, Amatil, who was very much in love with the handsome warrior, Cocopah. Tragically, he was killed in the final battle. Amatil’s love was so deep and so pure that she laid upon her lover and there she died. What remained of that love was a beautiful flower with pure white petals symbolizing their love and a yellow center to represent the everlasting brilliance of their love. We know this flower as the Matilija Poppy.