# Let's name a hellebore for Unca Cece! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 17, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025 "2006-04-17T17:04:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/81 "2006-04-20T18:22:58Z")
Voted. And I see Gaudere beat me to nominating this for Threadspotting. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/82 "2006-04-20T19:11:35Z")
> [@Mama Zappa](#): > > Rats - I don’t see an 098 for any prefix year. Wanna nominate a different one? I kind of like 2002-115 (green flower) but then I’m strange 🙂 > > Oh, and I too voted for Unca Cecil (well, “Cecil Adams”). Ooops :o my mistake. Since we shouldn’t put little Ed above the Master, the candidates should be 2002-096 (one lower than the Master) or 2002-100 (one after the Master). My candidates would be 2002-100. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/83 "2006-04-20T22:41:19Z")
I’m in! Good job **twickster**. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/84 "2006-04-21T00:33:17Z")
Not only did I vote, but I also signed up for his weekly newsletter. I’m 'cited! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/85 "2006-04-21T00:38:28Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Okay, just got off the phone with Barry, who seems like a great person. He’s from Philly, so we had to get our respective neighborhood credentials straightened out – then he had to take another call, and I’m headed into a pair of meetings. So I won’t have answers till this afternoon – but I am On The Job. Did catch him this afternoon, but he couldn’t talk – I just emailed him to tell him I’d be basically at my desk tomorrow and Monday, so that he should call at a good time for him. I’ll do my best to try to find out when they’ll declare this the World’s Smartest Hellebore and put it on sale. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/86 "2006-04-21T02:43:11Z")
Good Job twickster! I have never met Barry, but have heard from many cohorts in horticulture how great he is. Have been meaning to get up to his nursery for a visit. The Cecil hellebore might be the push of impetus for that visit. Hope yer talk bears naming fruit! And, so Unca Cece knows, this is not some little nursery: Barry Glick is a well-honed expert, and , so any hellebore passing muster with him is a fine plant to start with. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/87 "2006-04-21T03:35:17Z")
> [@elelle](#): > > Good Job twickster! I have never met Barry, but have heard from many cohorts in horticulture how great he is. Have been meaning to get up to his nursery for a visit. The Cecil hellebore might be the push of impetus for that visit. Hope yer talk bears naming fruit! > > And, so Unca Cece knows, this is not some little nursery: Barry Glick is a well-honed expert, and , so any hellebore passing muster with him is a fine plant to start with. Yeah, I’m impressed he’s got that many new varieties to name. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/88 "2006-04-21T14:26:32Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > \ I’ll do my best to try to find out when they’ll declare this the World’s Smartest Hellebore and put it on sale. I will make every effort to get and keep alive the World’s Smartest Hellebore (I don’t think they’re sold around here, since I’ve never even heard of them, and I’m really into gardening). Maybe a sunny little nook right by the front door… ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/89 "2006-04-21T15:55:25Z")
Wikki on Hellebores. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellebore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellebore) > [@](#): > > Hellebore (Helleborus) is a genus of 15 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe of Helleboreae. Hmmm…perennial…nice. > [@](#): > > The flowers have five “petals” (actually sepals or tepals) surrounding a ring of small, cup-like nectaries (petals modified to hold nectar). The sepals do not fall as petals would, but remain on the plant, sometimes for many months. Recent research in Spain suggests that the persistent calyx contributes to the development of the seeds (Herrera 2005). > > Although the flowers of some species may resemble wild roses (and despite some of their common names, such as “Christmas rose” and “Lenten rose”), hellebores do not belong to the rose family (Rosaceae Long-lasting for a decorative plantt, perennial, so it lasts many seasons & keeps it’s “blooms” longer than a true flowering plant would. Promising. > [@](#): > > Several legends surround the hellebore; in witchcraft it is believed to have ties to summoning demons. Helleborus niger is commonly called the Christmas rose, due to an old legend that it sprouted in the snow from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give the Christ child in Bethlehem. In Greek mythology, Melampus of Pylos used hellebore to save the daughters of the king of Argos from a madness, induced by Dionysus, that caused them to run naked through the city, crying, weeping, and screaming. And a suprise! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/90 "2006-04-24T16:56:20Z")
So, any news, **Twicks**? Did you get to talk to Barry? Did you find out when the contest ends? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/91 "2006-04-24T17:29:13Z")
Ha - freakin’ - rrumph. Just called him – he doesn’t seem to think there’s enough mass appeal to Unca Cece. Apparently 3,000 Dopers count for naught compared to the 30 million potential customers out there. Philistine! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/92 "2006-04-24T17:45:02Z")
Does that mean we lose, or just that we haven’t won yet? ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/93 "2006-04-24T17:51:43Z")
Well I just voted two more times and sent Barry an email telling him about the Teeming Millions ™. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/94 "2006-04-24T17:52:05Z")
That we lose. Number of votes is irrelevant if they don’t pick our nomination to be used – and since they’re not going to pick our nomination. … :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/95 "2006-04-24T18:15:28Z")
Hey, Barry emailed me back! Here’s what he says: “I can feel **twickster** twisting your arm, have Cecil call me. Ciao.” So Cecil, get on this ASAP! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/96 "2006-04-24T19:09:34Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Ha - freakin’ - rrumph. > > Just called him – he doesn’t seem to think there’s enough mass appeal to Unca Cece. Apparently 3,000 Dopers count for naught compared to the 30 million potential customers out there. > > Philistine! Harumph indeed! And I was so looking forward to giving him my money. Oh, well, no helebores for me. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/97 "2006-04-24T20:58:59Z")
So should we change our votes to “Up Yours Barry”? Just kidding. It’s his to call whatever he wants. I’m just dissappointed… ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/98 "2006-04-25T01:05:38Z")
So, _so_ unfair. I’ll just be off here stomping around and sulking in a corner. :mad: ☹ ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/99 "2006-04-25T18:03:44Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Ha - freakin’ - rrumph. > > Just called him – he doesn’t seem to think there’s enough mass appeal to Unca Cece. Apparently 3,000 Dopers count for naught compared to the 30 million potential customers out there. > > Philistine! Hmm… I just did some research as to the circulation of the papers that carry the Straight Dope (was curious about it anyway), and these are the numbers I came up with: Austin Chronicle – circulation 90,028 Boston Phoenix – circulation 253,000 Chicago Reader – circulation 119,606 Tuscaloosa City Magazine – circulation 10,000 Jacksonville Folio Weekly – circulation 48,000 Calgary FFWD – circulation undetermined Honolulu Weekly – circulation 41,653 Madison Isthmus – circulation 64,044 Salt Lake City Weekly – circulation 60,500 San Luis Obispo New Times – circulation 41,444 Burlington, VT Seven Days – circulation 29,961 Miami Sun Post – circulation 48,000 Washington City Paper – circulation 86,168 Weekly Planet Tampa – circulation 93,781 Total circulation —986,185 (primary data source: [The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies](http://www.aan.org) ) Seeing as the typical weekly probably averages more than one reader per paper, and almost everyone I know who reads a weekly with the Straight Dope in it reads Cecil’s column, I’d say there are more than a million Dopers. Harrumph indeed! ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025/100 "2006-04-25T20:16:22Z")
Hey, send that info to Barry! His email is: [barry@sunfarm.com](mailto:barry@sunfarm.com) Tell him Cecil is too busy doing research to give him a call. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-hellebore-for-unca-cece/353025.md?page=6)