Spanish Needles

Editor

While I heartily agree with Carolyn Thornton's Sept. 25 column about fall wildflowers, "Spanish blossoms" is a name I've never heard. I believe she refers to the very ubiquitous wildflower usually known in this area as "Spanish Needles." It is also sometimes called "tickseed."

The scientific name is Coreopsis lanceolata. Coreopsis translates from the Greek as "looking like a little bug" (referring to the seed) and lanceolata as "lance-shaped" (referring to the leaves).

Spanish needle honey is, or at least used to be, a popular delicacy, darker and much more strongly flavored than clover honey.

Patrick Brophy

Nevada