Plant names and their meanings

Aquilegia gets its common name of columbine because the back of the flower looks like five doves (columba = dove).  Not the long spurred flowers of course, which was why I couldn't see the resemblance for a long time. And white flowers show it best, so here's a pic.




Can you see the doves?

 However, Aquilegia takes its name from the Latin for Eagle "Aquila" because the flower petals that are said to resemble an eagle's claw.

Eagle or Dove? Is it any wonder they're known as Granny's Bonnets - not that my Granny wore a bonnet like a flower!!