Barnaby Jones Venus As In Fly Trap
Ever heard of Barnaby Jones solving a case with a Venus flytrap as a key piece of evidence? Probably not! But, the fictional detective somehow inspired a real-life scientist to name a newly discovered plant after both him and the man-eating marvel.
The story behind "Barnaby Jones Venus As In Fly Trap" is as wonderfully bizarre as it sounds.
The Detective, The Flytrap, and the Botanist
Imagine this: a dedicated botanist, Dr. Barry Rice, a guy who loves plants more than most people love pizza. Rice needed a name for his amazing new Venus flytrap cultivar, and he was stuck.
One evening, while probably surrounded by more greenery than your average garden center, he was watching Barnaby Jones on TV. Eureka! Inspiration struck like lightning.
Why Barnaby Jones?
You might be wondering: what does a methodical, older detective have to do with a carnivorous plant? That’s the beauty of it: not much at all!
Rice simply admired the TV show. It was a favourite of his when he was younger, perhaps watching the drama unfolded gave him the eureka moment to connect Barnaby Jones to his flytrap.
The name is catchy, memorable, and just a little bit silly. The perfect combination for a plant that snaps shut on unsuspecting insects.
Venus As In... Really?
So, where does the "Venus As In" part come in? Well, that's another layer of genius. Rice was creating a clever play on words.
Venus flytraps are officially known as Dionaea muscipula. It’s a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? Using "Venus As In" he tied the common name directly into his cultivar's brand.
It's a nod to the plant's unique character and how it lures prey, much like how Barnaby Jones lured criminals into his traps. A genius naming strategy!
A Legacy in Leaves
The "Barnaby Jones Venus As In Fly Trap" exists today. It’s a registered cultivar, meaning it’s a recognized and distinct variety of Venus flytrap.
It’s a testament to the fact that inspiration can come from the strangest places. Even from a 1970s detective show!
More Than Just a Funny Name
This isn't just a quirky story about a funny plant name. It’s a reminder that science can be fun, and that even serious researchers have a sense of humour.
The botanical world isn't always about complicated Latin names and endless research papers. Sometimes, it’s about a botanist, a detective show, and a particularly impressive Venus flytrap.
It also highlights the importance of cultivars. Selective breeding creates flytraps with different characteristics from color or even shape, "Barnaby Jones Venus As In Fly Trap", has characteristics that make it stand out among other flytraps.
The Moral of the Story?
Keep an open mind, watch some classic TV, and who knows? You might just find the inspiration for the next great scientific breakthrough or, at the very least, a wonderfully weird plant name.
So, next time you see a Venus flytrap, remember Barnaby Jones. You never know where inspiration will strike!
