Hello,
Indeed, there are of course differences in the use of words in various regions. “Femmina” is quite common in Napels but in other parts of Italy it is used by schoolchildren up to 10 or 11 years of age.
Later it becomes at least a very “common” expression for the female sex in humans. It can be acceptable when used by women between themselves but mostly in the diminutive term “femminucce”.
These are clearly linguistic nuances which might not be interesting, yet evident in the spoken language.
In no case will “femmina” correspond to “lady” and during the very numerous encounters I have with garden lovers, the term “femmina nuda” will always provoke a kind of amusement in the listners.
In older times and, again, now for people living in the Campania (Naples) the term “femmina” was and is quite acceptable. Elsewhere it is reserved for female animals.
Regards Henry, near Rome Italy
I wish I had time to go back to some of my research from the days when I used to think I was a garden writer, but Amaryllis Belladonna originates in South Africa. I still have a hard time classifing Belladonna as Hyppearstrum. I hope Lycoris doesn’t get that classification as well.
Many in the southern belt refer to the Lycoris squamigera as Surprise Lillies, resurection lillies, and Naked Ladies its’ origin is the Orient.
Clay Higgins
re: ‘naked lady’ and her variant names:
The Italian common name “Femmina nuda” would not be taken to mean “Naked female” by any self-respecting Italian. It means “naked woman” or “naked lady” without the slightest disrespect.
respectfully submitted (if the censors let it through)
Martin Kilmer