Botanagrams and Facebook Fun

A few years ago, I launched a series of plant-based puzzles with some of my plant-obsessed friends on Facebook. As an admin of a group called Plant Idents – a page where members can either post photos of plants whose identities they don’t know and wish solved, or plants whose identity they do know and wish to challenge other plantaholics – I thought it would be fun to start something a little different.  The basic idea: using Photoshop, I created a numbered puzzle using my own plant photos. As a stock photographer of plants, I have thousands of photos organized by Latin name. The puzzle had a name or solution — often regarding something that had happened on that day – which I kept secret, the name being spelled out with the first letter of the genus (botanical name) of each plant. To make it much tougher, I mixed up the letters/photos anagram-style, and told members what they were looking for, e.g. 4-word puzzle.   After the members (often with lots of clues) guessed the plant genus (sometimes, to be mean, I made them guess the species too), I’d put the first letters of the guessed plants together. Then it was time to solve the anagram and the puzzle. (there are good anagram solver sites on the web).

I stopped doing the puzzles on the Plant Idents page when the members became too numerous, since it involved a lot of rapid-fire guessing and meant everyone had to be looking at the same guesses and answers minute by minute, so fast broadband speed was vital.  Running the puzzles was like being an air traffic controller at a very busy airport! But I came across them in my files and thought it would be fun to gather some of them here in my blog, to commemorate a particular time and friendships that Facebook has enabled amongst like-minded people who, without meeting each other in person, share a passion for plants and a fanaticism for fun.  So here goes…..

Holiday greetings! I explained the rules – but the points were virtual….

"MERRY CHRISTMAS" 9 Marrubium vulgare - Horehound 5 Eucharis formosa – Amazon Lily 12 Restio quadratus – Square-Stalk Restio 3 Ruellia humilis – Wild Petunia 5 Yucca filamentosa - Adam's Needle 13 Chamerion angustifolium – Fireweed 7 Hydrocleys nymphoides – Water Poppy 6 Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ – Fragrant Sumac 11 Illicium floridanum – Purple Anise 2 Schisandra sphenanthera - Schisandra 1 Tacca chantrieri – Black Bat Flower 4 Metapanax delavayi – Delavay’s False Ginseng 14 Ajania pacifica – Pacific Chrysanthemum 10 Stewartia rostrata – Upright Stewartia

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”
9 Marrubium vulgare – Horehound
5 Eucharis formosa – Amazon Lily
12 Restio quadratus – Square-Stalk Restio
3 Ruellia humilis – Wild Petunia
5 Yucca filamentosa – Adam’s Needle
13 Chamerion angustifolium – Fireweed
7 Hydrocleys nymphoides – Water Poppy
6 Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ – Fragrant Sumac
11 Illicium floridanum – Purple Anise
2 Schisandra sphenanthera – Schisandra
1 Tacca chantrieri – Black Bat Flower
4 Metapanax delavayi – Delavay’s False Ginseng
14 Ajania pacifica – Pacific Chrysanthemum
10 Stewartia rostrata – Upright Stewartia

But, as a Canadian, I felt it needed to be done in French too!

"JOYEUX NOEL" 5-Justicia carnea 4-Orlaya grandiflora 6-Yucca filamentosa 3-Enkianthus campanulatus 2-Urtica dioica 10-Xeranthemum annuum 9-Nyssa sylvatica 7-Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Starry Eyes’ 8-Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’ 1-Leucoryne coquimbensis

“JOYEUX NOEL”
5-Justicia carnea
4-Orlaya grandiflora
6-Yucca filamentosa
3-Enkianthus campanulatus
2-Urtica dioica
10-Xeranthemum annuum
9-Nyssa sylvatica
7-Omphalodes cappadocica ‘Starry Eyes’
8-Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’
1-Leucoryne coquimbensis

This one  commemorated Martin Luther King Day: “I HAVE A DREAM”. And you can see that here I recorded the FB friends who guessed correctly.

6-Isotoma axillaris - Alys 5-Hardenbergia violacea - Jo 1-Abutilon striatum -Rebecca 11-Veronica ‘Eveline’ - Liberto 7-Euryops acraeus – Liberto 9-Alocasia cuprea – Sven 3-Diervilla lonicera – Jo 2-Rodgersia aesculifolia - Jo 10-Erinus alpinus – Liberto 4-Alkanna tinctoria-Alys 8-Melinis nerviglumis – Jo

6-Isotoma axillaris – Alys
5-Hardenbergia violacea – Jo
1-Abutilon striatum -Rebecca
11-Veronica ‘Eveline’ – Liberto
7-Euryops acraeus – Liberto
9-Alocasia cuprea – Sven
3-Diervilla lonicera – Jo
2-Rodgersia aesculifolia – Jo
10-Erinus alpinus – Liberto
4-Alkanna tinctoria-Alys
8-Melinis nerviglumis – Jo

Then came Valentine’s Day, and I thought a little Fred-and-Ginger was in order:

A DANCE STEP (for Valentine’s Day) 6-Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ – Japanese spikenard 8-Dicentra spectabilis ‘Valentine’- Bleeding heart 10-Amaranthus caudatus – Love-lies-bleeding 2-Nigella damascena – Love-in-a-mist 9-Catanache caerulea – Cupid’s dart 7-Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’ – Love Grass 3-Sutera cordata - Bacopa 4-Tilia cordata – Little-leaf linden 1-Euonymus americana – Hearts-a-busting 5-Pontederia cordata – Pickerel weed

A DANCE STEP (for Valentine’s Day)
6-Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ – Japanese spikenard
8-Dicentra spectabilis ‘Valentine’- Bleeding heart
10-Amaranthus caudatus – Love-lies-bleeding
2-Nigella damascena – Love-in-a-mist
9-Catanache caerulea – Cupid’s dart
7-Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’ – Love Grass
3-Sutera cordata – Bacopa
4-Tilia cordata – Little-leaf linden
1-Euonymus americana – Hearts-a-busting
5-Pontederia cordata – Pickerel weed

Birthdays were fun to commemorate. This one honoured the father of reggae (note the Rasta colours)….

" BOB MARLEY" - RBBALEOMY 3. Bouvardia ternifolia 7. Oncidium goldiana 2. Brugmansia aurea 8. Malvaviscus arboreus 4. Allamanda cathartica 1. Rhapis excelsa 5. Licuala spinosa 6. Euphorbia pulcherrima 9. Yucca aloifolia

” BOB MARLEY” – RBBALEOMY
3. Bouvardia ternifolia
7. Oncidium goldiana
2. Brugmansia aurea
8. Malvaviscus arboreus
4. Allamanda cathartica
1. Rhapis excelsa
5. Licuala spinosa
6. Euphorbia pulcherrima
9. Yucca aloifolia

And here he is:

Bob Marley-Rasta plants

This one sang the blues, in honour of Billie Holiday’s 100th on April 7, 2015:

LEUSBBLESILI = BILLIES BLUES 6-Brunnera macrophylla 10-Iris sibirica ‘Bennerup Blue’ 7-Linum perenne 11-Lobelia erinus ‘Sapphire Blue’ 12-Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’ 8-Echium vulgare 9-Scilla siberica 5-Borago officinalis 1-Lithodora ‘Grace Ward’ 3-Utricularia resupinata 2-Eryngium planum 4-Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

LEUSBBLESILI = BILLIES BLUES
6-Brunnera macrophylla
10-Iris sibirica ‘Bennerup Blue’
7-Linum perenne
11-Lobelia erinus ‘Sapphire Blue’
12-Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’
8-Echium vulgare
9-Scilla siberica
5-Borago officinalis
1-Lithodora ‘Grace Ward’
3-Utricularia resupinata
2-Eryngium planum
4-Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

There was a bonus photo that day…..

Billie Holiday-Gardenia-Janet Davis

The birthday could be of a writer, like……

"EZRA POUND" - DRNOEAZPU 5-Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Maren' 2- Rotheca myricoides 7 - Z - Zantedeschia aethiopica 6 - A - Acanthus hungaricus 8 - P - Penstemon barbatus 'Rondo' 4 - O - Olea europea 9 - U - Ulex europaeus 3 - N - Nepenthes sp. 1 - D - Datura metel

“EZRA POUND” –
DRNOEAZPU
5-Euphorbia pulcherrima ‘Maren’
2- Rotheca myricoides
7 – Z – Zantedeschia aethiopica
6 – A – Acanthus hungaricus
8 – P – Penstemon barbatus ‘Rondo’
4 – O – Olea europea
9 – U – Ulex europaeus
3 – N – Nepenthes sp.
1 – D – Datura metel

Or perhaps a modern writer like…..

"VONNEGUT" - GETUVNON 5 – Vriesea carinata 7 – Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Ogon’ 6 – Nyssa sylvatica 8 – Nephrolepis biserrata ‘Macho’ 2 – Encephalartos villosus 1 – Glaucium corniculatum 4 – Ulmus glabra 3 – Taxodium distichum

“VONNEGUT” – GETUVNON
5 – Vriesea carinata
7 – Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Ogon’
6 – Nyssa sylvatica
8 – Nephrolepis biserrata ‘Macho’
2 – Encephalartos villosus
1 – Glaucium corniculatum
4 – Ulmus glabra
3 – Taxodium distichum

It might be a performer, a favourite comedian.  I had fun with layered meanings on this botanagram, for as we know, the legumes or “bean” plants make their own nitrogen from the soil via nodules on their roots. Thus the inclusion of an atomic number in #2.

"MR BEAN" (so legumes) 4. Medicago sativa – Alfalfa, Lucerne - Alys 5. Robinia pseudoacacia – Black locust – David & Amrita 6. Baptisia sphaerocarpa ‘Screaming Yellow’ – Yellow baptisia – David & Amrita (& Liberto’s clues...) 1. Erythrina caffra – African coral tree – David & Liberto 3. Amorpha canescens – Lead plant – Amrita & David 2. Nitrogen – atomic number 7 - Liberto!!

“MR BEAN” (so legumes)
4. Medicago sativa – Alfalfa, Lucerne – Alys
5. Robinia pseudoacacia – Black locust – David & Amrita
6. Baptisia sphaerocarpa ‘Screaming Yellow’ – Yellow baptisia – David & Amrita (& Liberto’s clues…)
1. Erythrina caffra – African coral tree – David & Liberto
3. Amorpha canescens – Lead plant – Amrita & David
2. Nitrogen – atomic number 7 – Liberto!!

I liked marking the seasons.  This one was June 21, 2014. School’s out!

SUMMER…. 4 –Stapelia gigantea 8-Umbilicus rupestris 14-Myrrhis odorata 7-Menyanthes trifoliata 11-Encephalartos horridus (steward’s enquiry) 6-Rubus cockburnianus ‘Golden Gale’ SOLSTICE!!! 9-Salvinia auriculata 12-Olearia x scilloniensis 13-Limnanthes douglasii 3-Scilla peruviana 2-Tapaeinochilus ananassae 1-Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ 5-Catalpa bignonoides ‘Aurea’ 10-Erodium manescavii

SUMMER….
4 –Stapelia gigantea
8-Umbilicus rupestris
14-Myrrhis odorata
7-Menyanthes trifoliata
11-Encephalartos horridus (steward’s enquiry)
6-Rubus cockburnianus ‘Golden Gale’
SOLSTICE!!!
9-Salvinia auriculata
12-Olearia x scilloniensis
13-Limnanthes douglasii
3-Scilla peruviana
2-Tapaeinochilus ananassae
1-Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’
5-Catalpa bignonoides ‘Aurea’
10-Erodium manescavii

And school’s heading back in so it must be…..

"SEPTEMBER" (marking the first day of Sept. 2014) 5-Staehelina unifloscuosa 6-Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’ 2-Poncirus trifoliata 9-Tedradium danielli 7-Eumorphia sericea ssp. robustior 8-Marrubium vulgare 1-Barleria cristata 3-Eurybia furcata 4-Reseda odorata

“SEPTEMBER” (marking the first day of Sept. 2014)
5-Staehelina unifloscuosa
6-Eragrostis elliottii ‘Wind Dancer’
2-Poncirus trifoliata
9-Tedradium danielli
7-Eumorphia sericea ssp. robustior
8-Marrubium vulgare
1-Barleria cristata
3-Eurybia furcata
4-Reseda odorata

Not far into autumn, and it’s time for Thanksgiving when we express our….

"GRATITUDE" - For Thanksgiving 5-Gunnera manicata-Jo Astridge 9-Rhodotypos scandens-Liberto Dario 7-Actaea erythrocarpa-Liberto 1-Trochodendron aralioides-Liberto 3-Illicium floridanum-Liberto 8-Trachelium caeruleum-Liberto 4-Urtica dioica-Jo 6-Deinanthe bifida-Liberto 2-Erodium chrysanthum-Rosemary Hardy

“GRATITUDE” – For Thanksgiving
5-Gunnera manicata-Jo Astridge
9-Rhodotypos scandens-Liberto Dario
7-Actaea erythrocarpa-Liberto
1-Trochodendron aralioides-Liberto
3-Illicium floridanum-Liberto
8-Trachelium caeruleum-Liberto
4-Urtica dioica-Jo
6-Deinanthe bifida-Liberto
2-Erodium chrysanthum-Rosemary Hardy

Winter in Canada is cold and snow, so I like to do a little……

CALIFORNIA DREAMING 7. Calandrinia spectabilis 8. Arctostaphylos spp. 17. Layia platyglossa 6. Impatiens omeiana 15. Ficinia nodosa 14. Ozothamnus diosmifolius ‘Pink’ 16. Retanilla ephedra 13. Nicotiana glauca 11. Iochroma cyaneum 1. Amsinckia grandiflora 2. Dodonea viscosa ssp. cuneata 18. Ruta chalepensis 3. Erica patersonia 5. Azara dentata 9. Maianthemum flexuosum 12. Isopogon anethifolius ‘Curra Moors’ 4. Nothofagus obliqua var. obliqua 10. Greyia radkoferi

CALIFORNIA DREAMING
7. Calandrinia spectabilis
8. Arctostaphylos spp.
17. Layia platyglossa
6. Impatiens omeiana
15. Ficinia nodosa
14. Ozothamnus diosmifolius ‘Pink’
16. Retanilla ephedra
13. Nicotiana glauca
11. Iochroma cyaneum
1. Amsinckia grandiflora
2. Dodonea viscosa ssp. cuneata
18. Ruta chalepensis
3. Erica patersonia
5. Azara dentata
9. Maianthemum flexuosum
12. Isopogon anethifolius ‘Curra Moors’
4. Nothofagus obliqua var. obliqua
10. Greyia radkoferi

The botanagram below suited a day that appealed to mathematicians. Why? Because March 14, 2015 at precisely 9:26:53 = the famous equation 3.141592653 = π (and yes I punned with “pie” which, of course, is round).

PIE ARE SQUARED 12- Paradisea lusitanica-John Lamin 13-Isatis tinctoria-Bradley Newton 9-Eccremocarpus scaber-Bradley Newton 7-Abelia mosanensis-David Mason 8-Rostrincula dependens-John Lamin 2-Echium wildpretii-John Lamin 6-Symphoricarpos albus-Rebecca Alexander 4-Quercus agrifolia-Davis Mason 5-Uncarina grandidieri-Bradley Newton 3-Reseda luteola- ? 10-Eumorphia sericea-? D-Dombeya wallichii-?

PIE ARE SQUARED
12- Paradisea lusitanica-John Lamin
13-Isatis tinctoria-Bradley Newton
9-Eccremocarpus scaber-Bradley Newton
7-Abelia mosanensis-David Mason
8-Rostrincula dependens-John Lamin
2-Echium wildpretii-John Lamin
6-Symphoricarpos albus-Rebecca Alexander
4-Quercus agrifolia-Davis Mason
5-Uncarina grandidieri-Bradley Newton
3-Reseda luteola- ?
10-Eumorphia sericea-?
D-Dombeya wallichii-?

How about plant parts? Instead of boring terms like stamens and stigmas, I made a puzzle for……

"THE VITAL SEXY BITS" 9-Tibouchina urvilleana 15-Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’ 8-Epimedium x rubrum 13-Vicia cracca 7-Inula helenium ‘Goliath’ 12-Turnera ulmifolia 1-Amorpha canescens 16-Lobelia siphilitica 6-Sinopodophyllum hexandrum ‘Majus’ 14-Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’ 5-Xerochrysum bracteatum 4-Yucca rigida 2-Bauhinia kockiana 10-Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ 11-Thalictrum rochebrunianum ‘Lavender Mist’ 3-Silphium perfoliatum

“THE VITAL SEXY BITS”
9-Tibouchina urvilleana
15-Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’
8-Epimedium x rubrum
13-Vicia cracca
7-Inula helenium ‘Goliath’
12-Turnera ulmifolia
1-Amorpha canescens
16-Lobelia siphilitica
6-Sinopodophyllum hexandrum ‘Majus’
14-Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’
5-Xerochrysum bracteatum
4-Yucca rigida
2-Bauhinia kockiana
10-Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’
11-Thalictrum rochebrunianum ‘Lavender Mist’
3-Silphium perfoliatum

…. and one that featured those interesting leaf-like and flower-like parts…….

"LOVED THOSE BRACTS" (yes, they're all bracts) 10. Leucadendron ‘Jester’ 12. Ochna serrulata 7. Vriesea carinata 1. Eryngium planum 15. Davidia involucrata 9. Tillandsia cyanea 13. Heliconia rostrata 6. Euphorbia fulgens 5. Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ 14. Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’ 2. Bougainvillea glabra 4. Rhodochiton atrosanguineus ‘Purple Rain’ 16. Aechmea fasciata 3. Clerodendrum thomsoniae 8. Tacca chantrieri 11. Spathiphyllum sp.

“LOVED THESE BRACTS” (yes, they’re all bracts)
10. Leucadendron ‘Jester’
12. Ochna serrulata
7. Vriesea carinata
1. Eryngium planum
15. Davidia involucrata
9. Tillandsia cyanea
13. Heliconia rostrata
6. Euphorbia fulgens
5. Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’
14. Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’
2. Bougainvillea glabra
4. Rhodochiton atrosanguineus ‘Purple Rain’
16. Aechmea fasciata
3. Clerodendrum thomsoniae
8. Tacca chantrieri
11. Spathiphyllum sp.

…. and one for summer’s end, so I could fill a…….

"FRUIT BASKET" 6. Fagus grandifolia –Alys 8. Rhodotypos scandens – Liberto 11. Ulmus glabra –Jo 7. Ilex verticillata ‘Afterglow'-Marcel 1. Thuja occidentalis-Jo 2. Bismarckia nobilis –Liberto 10. Ailanthus altissima – Liberto 4. Sambucus candensis – Alys 3. Koelreuteria paniculata –Amy 5. Euonymus sachalinensis –Jo/Alys 9. Taxodium distichum-Liberto

“FRUIT BASKET”
6. Fagus grandifolia –Alys
8. Rhodotypos scandens – Liberto
11. Ulmus glabra –Jo
7. Ilex verticillata ‘Afterglow’-Marcel
1. Thuja occidentalis-Jo
2. Bismarckia nobilis –Liberto
10. Ailanthus altissima – Liberto
4. Sambucus candensis – Alys
3. Koelreuteria paniculata –Amy
5. Euonymus sachalinensis –Jo/Alys
9. Taxodium distichum-Liberto

As a music lover, it was fun to find fellow music-lovers to challenge. This was a fun one of a favourite old song with a colour theme…..A Whiter Shade of Pale

“PROCOL HARUM” – (Colour theme: A Whiter Shade of Pale) 11-Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Albus’ 4-Rodgersia aesculifolia 9-Orlaya grandiflora 5-Crataegus mordenensis ‘Snowbird’ 10-Ornithogalum saundersiae 1-Lysimachia clethroides 12-Hosta ‘Hoosier Harmony’ 2-Anemone nemorosa ‘Vestal Virgin’ ** 6-Rehderodendron macrocarpum 7-Umbilicus rupestris 3-Mukdenia rossii * Odd one out is #2 – Anemone nemorosa ‘Vestal' for Vestal Virgin

“PROCOL HARUM” – (Colour theme: A Whiter Shade of Pale)
11-Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Albus’
4-Rodgersia aesculifolia
9-Orlaya grandiflora
5-Crataegus mordenensis ‘Snowbird’
10-Ornithogalum saundersiae
1-Lysimachia clethroides
12-Hosta ‘Hoosier Harmony’
2-Anemone nemorosa ‘Vestal Virgin’ **
6-Rehderodendron macrocarpum
7-Umbilicus rupestris
3-Mukdenia rossii
* Odd one out is #2 – Anemone nemorosa ‘Vestal’ for Vestal Virgin

I’m just mad about saffron, yes I am…..

"DONOVAN" (Mellow Yellow) 3-Draba brunifolia 6-Osterospermum 'Summertime Breeze' 4-Nuphar lutea 7-Opuntia humifusa 'Lemon Spreader' 2-Verbesina helianthoides 1-Aeonium 'Voodoo' 5-Narcissus 'Tamar Fire'

“DONOVAN” (Mellow Yellow)
3-Draba brunifolia
6-Osterospermum ‘Summertime Breeze’
4-Nuphar lutea
7-Opuntia humifusa ‘Lemon Spreader’
2-Verbesina helianthoides
1-Aeonium ‘Voodoo’
5-Narcissus ‘Tamar Fire’

This one was more of a logic puzzle, and required both Genus and Species names.

"ALPHABET" (not an anagram, a logic puzzle) 1 – Melinis nerviglumis 2 – Encelia farinosa 3 – Kalmia latifolia 4 – Ophiopogon planiscapus 5 – Clematis dioscoreifolia 6 – Iris japonica 7 – Quercus rubra 8 – Geranium himalayense 9 – Astrantia bavarica Ab, Cd*, Ef, Gh, Ij, Kl, Mn, Op, Qr (* I went with the plant label, but learned after I made up the puzzle that Clematis dioscoreifolia is a synonym for Clematis terniflora)

“ALPHABET” (not an anagram, a logic puzzle)
1 – Melinis nerviglumis
2 – Encelia farinosa
3 – Kalmia latifolia
4 – Ophiopogon planiscapus
5 – Clematis dioscoreifolia
6 – Iris japonica
7 – Quercus rubra
8 – Geranium himalayense
9 – Astrantia bavarica
Ab, Cd*, Ef, Gh, Ij, Kl, Mn, Op, Qr
(* I went with the plant label, but learned after I made up the puzzle that Clematis dioscoreifolia is a synonym for Clematis terniflora)

Finally, a little homage to the honey bee, or as we say in Latin…..

"APIS MELLIFERA" - Latin for honey bee 9-Asclepias syriaca 5-Pycnanthemum virginianum 8-Ilex verticillata 11-Silphium perfoliatum 2-Malva sylvestris 10-Eremurus 'Cleopatra' 3-Lychnis flos-cuculi 6-Lathyrus latifolius 13-Iris pseudacorus 12-Filipendula ulmaria 1-Eranthis hyemalis 4-Ruta graveolens 7-Althaea officinalis

“APIS MELLIFERA” – Latin for honey bee
9-Asclepias syriaca
5-Pycnanthemum virginianum
8-Ilex verticillata
11-Silphium perfoliatum
2-Malva sylvestris
10-Eremurus ‘Cleopatra’
3-Lychnis flos-cuculi
6-Lathyrus latifolius
13-Iris pseudacorus
12-Filipendula ulmaria
1-Eranthis hyemalis
4-Ruta graveolens
7-Althaea officinalis