Why this blog is called "Gallimaufry".

gal-uh-MAW-free\, noun.

Originally meaning "a hash of various kinds of meats," "gallimaufry" comes from French galimafrée; in Old French, from the word galer, "to rejoice, to make merry"; in old English: gala + mafrer: "to eat much," and from Medieval Dutch maffelen: "to open one's mouth wide."

It's also a dish made by hashing up odds and ends of food; a heterogeneous mixture; a hodge-podge; a ragout; a confused jumble; a ridiculous medley; a promiscuous (!) assemblage of persons.

Those of you who know me, will, I’m sure, understand how well some of these phrases (barring the "promiscuous" bit!) fit me.

More importantly, this blog is an ode to my love for Shimla. I hope to show you this little town through my eyes. If you don't see too many people in it, forgive me, because I'm a little chary of turning this into a human zoo.

Stop by for a spell, look at my pictures, ask me questions about Shimla, if you wish. I shall try and answer them as best as I can. Let's be friends for a while....

7 August 2008

Name this flower, please?

My friends N and S, curious, naughty old biddies who could have walked straight out of Agatha Christie's St. Mary's Mead, tell me it's called "red hot poker". They add a nudge and a wink in generous measure in case I'd missed their point!
I'd asked earlier this morning if anyone could tell me the flower's real (and less salacious!) name! Thank you, moya & Sare from Thorn Tree. Because of you, I now know that this plant is known as Kniphofia Uvaria, Tritoma, or Torch Lily. The colour (red, flaming orange and yellow) and shape of its flowers probably lead to its being so named. The flowers, as you can see in the picture, are tubular in shape and rich in nectar. This plant can grow up to five feet in height. I find it interesting that kniphofias are classified as weeds in some parts of the world as they threaten sensitive ecosystems, especially in swampy areas.
For the detail-minded among us:

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Liliales, according to the vade mecum; asparagales, according to Wikipedia.

Family: Liliaceae, according to the vade mecum; asphodelaceae, according to Wikipedia.

Genus: Kniphofia Muench

Species: Kniphofia Uvaria.



3 comments:

Banno said...

Came here through 'Muse Cruise'. Love flowers and love Agatha Christie.

The name 'red-hot poker' is more likely to stick in one's memory than 'torch lily'. :)

Velu said...

I think I liked the "red hot poker" better. :)

Geetali said...

Thanks for stopping by, Banno.

Heyyyy, Velu! Hello Stranger! How have you been? I love your blog on your Dad. Makes me all choke-y; in a nice way.

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