Question 1: Ah, spring! What are these early-blooming flowers?
- Daffodils
- Snowdrops
- Petunias
Answer: Daffodils
Fact: Daffodils, part of the Narcissus genus, have been known since ancient times for their medicinal and botanical properties. They were officially classified by the Swedish botanist Linnaeus in his 1753 book Species Plantarum. Narcissus species are native to meadows and woodlands across Southern Europe and North Africa.
Question 2: Which part of the daffodil is known as the ‘trumpet’?
- Leaf
- Stem
- Corona
Answer: Corona
Fact: The corona, also called the paracorolla, is a cup- or trumpet-shaped structure that sits above the daffodil’s petal-like tepals. During flowering, it develops as a tube-like extension from the stamens—the flower’s male reproductive parts—which fuse into a single structure. The anthers, responsible for producing pollen, shrink. Fragrances that attract pollinators are emitted from the base of the corona.
Question 3: Which city celebrates the spring equinox by burning socks?
- Annapolis
- Black Rock City
- Phoenix
Answer: Annapolis
Fact: In Annapolis, Maryland, boatyard workers and sailors celebrate the spring equinox with the Burning of the Socks festival. This tradition originates from the boating community’s practice of wearing socks only during winter. With the arrival of warmer weather, they burn their socks to mark the start of a busier season and the influx of customers. From that day forward, socks are abandoned until the next equinox.