What's in a Prague street name

Originally published on Twitter on 24 June 2022.

Plavínová was built in 1998 (making it newest street yet, but only until tomorrow).

A plavín štítnatý, or plavín leknínovitý, or Nymphoides peltata, has its fair share of names in English too: fringed water lily, yellow floating heart, floating heart, water fringe or entire marshwort.

It’s a perennial that grows in stagnant or gently flowing waters. In the Czech Republic, it’s gradually disappearing, and is only found in the south and east of the country.

Hence its status as an endangered species. If you’re the sort of person who enjoys blame, then feel free to cast a judgemental glance at fish farmers, carps, ducks and swans.