NAMES OF THE CARNATION 15 



Picotee, is curiously enough not the English name of the 

 plant, but merely an adjective prefixed originally to define 

 a variety or a section. The old English name is un- 

 doubtedly Gillyflower, in one or other of its numerous 

 spellings, the consensus of opinion being that this is 

 derived primarily from Caryophyllus. Lawson, in 1618, 

 recorded it as July-flower, because it flowered in July, and 

 not a few followed his lead both in the name and its alleged 

 meaning. " Carnation," by all the old writers, was said to 

 be a distinguishing colour name, but the late Dr. Prior, 

 finding in Lyte's "Herbal" and Spenser's " Shepheard's 

 Calendar " the word " Coronation " applied to the flower, 

 thought he had there discovered its earliest form and its 

 true meaning a flower employed in making chaplets for 

 headwear. However, several instances occur of " Car- 

 nation " at an earlier date, and there appears no good reason 

 to doubt that authorites like Gerard and Parkinson were 

 correct in assuming the designation to be one descriptive 

 of the colour of the flower, " Carnation " at that early 

 period being applied to distinguish a deep red colour, and not 

 always the blush tint of the present day. Picotee is 

 easily traceable through many variations to the French 

 Picote" "la Carnation Picotee," Hogg calls it and it 

 was always applied to spotted flowers, or to those with the 

 colour splashed on white or yellow. Another old name 

 that continues till to-day is Clove. Just as Carnation- 

 Gilliflower distinguished a large red variety, so Clove- 

 Gilliflower marked one remarkable for its strong affinity 

 in scent to the clove of commerce. The latter, and also 

 Geum urbanum^ have indeed been repeatedly confused by 

 modern writers with the Clove-Gilliflower, a sweet flower 

 dear to ancient dames on account of its spirit-refreshing 

 perfume. It was also partaken of at great banquets as a 

 kind of pickled salad, and in the reign of Charles II. it is 

 first heard of as being used in a liqueur called clove-gilli- 

 flower wine. It may be added that the plant known 



