Online language platform Preply has revealed the most commonly mispronounced flowers and plants – and the flower taking the top spot may surprise you.
Given their Latin origins and often misleading spellings, you'd be forgiven for mispronouncing popular flowers and common household plants. In fact, hundreds of thousands of people search for flower pronunciation guides monthly, so you're not the only one.
Preply analysed Google search data to reveal which of the most popular flowers and houseplants people need support pronouncing each month.
So, what's got us so tongue-tied? Sylvia Johnson, head of methodology at Preply, explains: 'Botanical Latin, despite being primarily a written language, often presents challenges when it comes to pronunciation due to the occurrence of plant names in speech.
'This leads to confusion as different sources and individuals offer conflicting pronunciations for names like Agastache and Fuchsia, highlighting the lack of consensus in this regard. Furthermore, common names add another layer of complexity as they can vary widely from region to region and are often applied to more than one plant species. As a result, navigating the realm of plant nomenclature requires careful consideration and a focus on understanding the scientific names associated with each plant, ensuring clarity and avoiding misunderstandings.'
Top of Preply's list was peony, with hundreds of thousands of people searching for its pronunciation each month. Orchid and hyacinth followed close behind in second and third place.
See the full list of the top 20 flowers and plants most commonly mispronounced, with guidance on how to nail the pronunciation.
- Peony – PEE-uh-nee
- Orchid – aw-kuhd
- Hyacinth – hy-uh-sinth
- Chrysanthemum – kruh-san-thuh-muhm
- Dandelion – dan-duh-lai-uhn
- Hibiscus – huh-bis-kuhs
- Lilac – lai-luhk
- Basil – BAZ-uhl
- Dahlia – day-lee-uh
- Poinsettia – poyn-seh-tee-uh
- Hydrangea – hai-drayn-juh
- Bergamot – buh-guh-mot
- Cactus – kak-tuhs
- Tulip – choo-luhp
- Rose – ROHZ
- Iris – ai-ruhs
- Rhododendron – roh-duh-DEN-drun
- Daffodil – da-fuh-dl
- Violet – vai-uh-luht
- Daisy – day-zee
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