Cleome

Sensu stricto—"in the strict sense,”

See the spiny spiderflower,

Whose old Greek name wants recompense.

Pollinated by bats—aloof,

In fact, from spiders [everywhere,

With over 53,000 species—

The genus Cleome has 199],

My specimen's a volunteer

That a sturdy head endowers,

Rebooting on its single stalk

(Verses meant to picture flowers

Can't shrink from orchidaceous talk!)

Time and again, there, bidding fair—

Depucelating maiden air . . .

Note: Cleome does not belong among the Orchidaceae. However, that genus name, the term "orchid," and the adjective "orchidaceous" all derive from ancient Greek ὄρχις orchis, meaning "testicle."

The name "cleome" was probably devised by Linnaeus from Greek kleos, glory.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025