Lots of cities have nicknames. I like the ones with natural, rather than financial, or political, connections. In my little world, I think naturalists should be in charge of choosing these names - somebody who knows the nature of the place.
Take my ol' hometown of Seattle, for example. For the moment, the city is known as the "Emerald City" , not because of the man behind the (probably digital) curtain, but because, because, because, because, because - because of the wonderful green plants of the place. After spending time in harsher North American climates, flying into fall, winter, or spring Seattle can be a mind- blower of emerald green grass, tall evergreen trees, etc.
A bit of online "research" revealed that back in the 40's Seattle was known as the "City of Flowers". I didn't know that. And of course Seattle is rightly famed as a gardener's paradise. Midwesterner's, and other out-of-towners, jaws drop at the sight of blooming Rhododendrons the size of small trees, etc. My jaw drops too - and I'm a yokel.
Portland, of course, is the "City of Roses" (Chehalis is "Rose City"), and Spokane "The Lilac City" (Jane, you could call it "Syringa City"). Of course all these names refer to gardening reality (which does connect to place), not so much native reality.
So what's up with Port Townsend? Snooping online I've only come up with vague connections to "Key City", whatever that means. The place needs a nickname, I decided.
Of course, Port Townsend does have its Rhody Festival, but they haven't gone whole hog and named the place "Rhody Town" or something like that. Going with my botanical explorations of the place this year, I had some ideas.
Based on pure abundance, my first thought was "Honeysuckle City" - the whole place is covered with the things. Big thumbs (?) up from the Hummingbird lobby on that one. Both the native Orange Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa), and Hairy Honeysuckle (L. hispidula) romp all over nearly every woodlot, and forest around here, seemingly. Beautiful.
But "Honeysuckle City" sounds more like something from the deep South, or wherever. Might as well call PT " Mint Julip City" .
No, I wanted to narrow it down a bit, to a nickname truly unique, you know, really put it on the nickname map. So I really got thinking.
One set of plants I've found here that would provide a great unique name, are the Broomrape's. First I found the beautiful and delicate Naked Broomrape blooming on the little Kah Tai Prairie here in town back in May. Abundant there. And then later in summer found another Orobanche , the California Broomrape, quite abundant near the Point Wilson Dunes. That one is a real weirdo.Weird but wonderful.
Port Townsend is one of those places underwhelmingly excited about attracting newcomers - folks that live here tend to want to be the last one to discover the place. I understand completely. And therefore what better name than "Broomrape City". I think it could help keep the population growth down - or a least limit it to naturalists and perverts.
A somewhat less abhorrent name could be "Parasite City". You see, the Orobanches are root (rape) parasites on other plants. Plus, just at the edge of town, at Fort Townsend State Park , the nice ol' forest there is famed locally for an amazing concentration of parasitic plants - Indian Pipe, Coralroot, Pinedrops, Pyrola's, and more. Check out the Washington State Native Plant, Olympic Peninsula chapter, for more info and plant list's.
"Parasite City" - could be effective. Just don't tell the tourists.
Jeff Gibsonjust trying to helpPort Townsend Wa