Yellow is a bright, sunny color that conjures up feelings of happiness and optimism. Many familiar objects in our everyday lives are yellow, from daffodils to rubber ducks to school buses. Yellow things often have specific names that identify exactly what they are. By exploring some common yellow items and learning their unique names, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the vibrant yellow color and the role it plays in our world.
Yellow Flowers
Some of the most popular yellow flowers include daffodils, sunflowers, and tulips. Each has its own distinct name that sets it apart from other flowers.
- Daffodils are trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring. Their bright yellow color signals the coming of warmer weather after a long winter. Daffodils go by many names like narcissus and jonquil.
- Sunflowers are tall flowers with wide yellow petals surrounding a brown center. Their name comes from how they turn their heads to follow the sun throughout the day.
- Yellow tulips have glossy yellow petals and a black center. They are a member of the tulip family and one of the most popular tulip varieties because of their bright, cheery color.
Other yellow flowers with unique names include marigolds, buttercups, and forsythia. Their sunny hues and distinctive names add vibrant variety to gardens.
Yellow Fruits
Many tropical fruits known for their tart, sweet flavor and health benefits also happen to be yellow. Their names reflect their tropical origins.
- Bananas are elongated, slightly curved yellow fruits grown in tropical regions. They are a staple food in many parts of the world.
- Pineapples have a spiky, segmented yellow rind and tart yellow flesh. Their name refers to their resemblance to pine cones.
- Lemon is the name for the oval yellow citrus fruit used widely for its sour juice. Other citrus fruits like grapefruits are also yellow.
- Mangoes are oval yellow fruits with a large pit and juicy flesh. The mango is popular in tropical cuisines around the world.
Some other tropical yellow fruits include papaya, guava, and passionfruit. Their exotic names match their tropical flavors.
Yellow Vegetables
Many common vegetables come in vibrant yellow varieties. From squashes to corn, these yellow veggies liven up recipes with their sunny color and flavors.
- Yellow squash is the name for summer squash varieties that have yellow skin and flesh. Popular types are crookneck and straightneck squash.
- Sweet corn is a yellow variety of maize eaten as a vegetable. Corn has a sweet, starchy flavor when fresh and harvested at peak ripeness.
- Yellow peppers are a variety of bell peppers that have a bright yellow color at maturity. They have a slightly sweeter flavor than green peppers.
- Yellow potatoes are a variety of potato with golden yellow flesh. Their mellow, buttery flavor makes them perfect for recipes like mashed potatoes.
Other yellow vegetables include yellow carrots, yellow tomatoes, yellow beans, and yellow zucchini. Their sunny hues light up recipes.
Yellow Birds
Some bird species sport bright yellow plumage that allows them to stand out in their environments. Their unique names often describe their vibrant coloring.
- Goldfinches are small songbirds with vivid yellow feathers on their bodies contrasted by black wings. Their cheery disposition matches their sunny color.
- Meadowlarks are medium-sized songbirds named for the meadow habitats they prefer. Yellow is their most prominent plumage color.
- Yellow warblers are tiny, insect-eating birds that migrate long distances. Males are an overall bright yellow during the breeding season.
- American goldfinches undergo a dramatic color change through the year. In spring and summer, the male is a stunning yellow with black cap and wings.
Other yellow birds include yellow-rumped warblers, yellow-shafted flickers, and yellow canaries. Their colorful names are drawn from their yellow feathers.
Yellow Insects
Some well-known insects display eye-catching yellow and black patterns. Unique names identify the different yellow insects we commonly encounter.
- Honeybees have yellow and black stripes that alert predators to their sting. They produce honey inside hives.
- Bumblebees are furry, black-and-yellow striped insects that fly from flower to flower. They pollinate plants.
- Yellow jackets are wasps with bright yellow and black markings. They have a potent, painful sting.
- Citrus swallowtail butterflies are large, beautiful butterflies with yellow wings marked by black tiger stripes.
Other yellow insects include yellow-striped armyworms, yellow-spotted millipedes, and yellow crazy ants. Their colors and patterns give them descriptive names.
Yellow Minerals
Yellow minerals form underground through geological processes and take on yellow hues due to their chemical compositions. Their names specify the type of mineral.
- Sulfur is a bright yellow mineral found near hot springs and volcanoes. In its pure form, sulfur is known for its foul odor.
- Orpiment is a rich orange-yellow mineral made of arsenic sulfide. It was once used as a vivid pigment.
- Jasper is a mineral that often occurs in yellow varieties. Picture stone jasper has eye-like yellow patterns.
- Amber is fossilized tree resin that comes in yellow-orange hues. Insects and plant matter are sometimes preserved inside amber.
Other yellow minerals include crocoite, molybdenite, powellite, and stibnite. Their names derive from elements they contain like chromium, molybdenum, and antimony.
Yellow Man-Made Objects
People have created many familiar objects using the color yellow to make them stand out. Their unique names tell us about their form and function.
- School buses are long yellow vehicles that transport students to and from school. Their color helps identify them.
- Highlighters have yellow ink that people use to highlight text on documents. Brands include Sharpie and Mr. Sketch.
- Rubber ducks are popular yellow bathtub toys shaped like ducks. Their bright color and squeak appeal to babies and toddlers.
- Pencils coated in yellow paint are a common writing tool. Brands include Dixon Ticonderoga and Staedtler Norica.
Other yellow objects invented by humans include post-it notes, legal pads, taxicabs, hazard signs, and emojis. Their vibrant color attracts attention.
Conclusion
Yellow is a cheery color that gives many objects in our world an energizing brightness. Flowers, fruits, birds, insects, minerals, and man-made items take on names that identify them and reflect their sunny yellow hues. The next time you see a dash of yellow, take a closer look and appreciate the unique item bringing a bit of brightness into your day.
