Quiz: What Is This Plant Called?

The correct answer is A. Caterpillars. The common name for this native wildflower (Phacelia congesta) comes from its coiled flower clusters. Appropriately enough, once open, the purple flowers attract butterflies.

The correct answer is B. Bunny tails. The common name of this Mediterranean grass (Lagurus ovatus) comes from its soft, white flower heads.

The correct answer is C. Poached egg. This low-growing native plant (Limnanthes douglasii) produces delicate flowers with yellow centers and white edges that look like cooked eggs.

The correct answer is B. Elephant ears. The giant leaves of Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Black Stem’, like a number of other Alcocasia species and cultivars, are as big as pachyderm ears.

The correct answer is C. Lamb’s tail. The fuzzy pinkish flowers of Ptilotus exaltatus ‘Joey’ do look like they might be useful for scrubbing out baby bottles, but the common name comes the flower’s resemblance to the tails of baby sheep.

The correct answer is A. Golden egg. The fruit of this ornamental eggplant Solanum melongenastarts out white, but it turns yellow as it ripens.

The correct answer is A. Feathertop. Another ornamental grass, the flower heads of Pennisetum villosum are feathery looking, hence their common name.