If there is a plant with more names than the Fried Egg plant, I would be very surprised.

This lovely tree is growing near my home and is just now coming into bloom. When I went to check it out online I discovered that it has multiple identities. I think it may be a villain on the run.

Here is the Fried Egg plant, Gordonia plant, or Polyspora axillaris. It is also referred to by its other scientific names of Franklinia axillaris and Camellia exillaris. (Gardening Know How)

According to the Granada Native Garden Newsletter, though, “the so-called ‘fried egg flower’, is properly named the matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri).  That’s “ma-TIL-i-ha”, by the way.”

No matter what you call it, it is a delightful flower and the one near me has lots of buds so I am expecting lots of new flowers very soon. If it starts asking me for passport photos, I’ll walk away slowly.