Dolly Parton‘s influence can be felt in countless areas, from music and Hollywood to literacy and philanthropy. Yet some of the most unexpected examples of her legacy exist in the natural world. Over the years, species and plants have been given names inspired by the country icon, creating some unusual additions to Parton’s remarkable legacy.
In 1996, scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland successfully created the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. The female sheep was introduced to the world as Dolly the following year.
Later, lead scientist Ian Wilmut shared the reason why Dolly was named after the country singer. “Dolly is derived from a mammary gland cell, and we couldn’t think of a more impressive pair of glands than Dolly Parton’s,” he said.
Wilmut revealed that the singer’s team was notified beforehand about the name, and they reportedly received a response from her manager that read, “There is no such thing as baaaaaad publicity.”
In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, Parton said that she was flattered by the cheeky reference to her breasts, adding, “Everybody always played up to these [points to her chest], so that’s why we had Dolly the Sheep.”
Dolly the Sheep gave birth to six healthy lambs but had to be euthanized in 2003 due to an incurable illness. She remains an important figure in scientific history and pop culture, remembered for her groundbreaking place in the history of cloning.
Scientists named a lichen species after the country singer
Scientists from the New York Botanical Garden discovered a new lichen species in 2015. Lichens are composite organisms, which means two organisms living as one unit.
The new species is native to the southern Appalachian Mountains, near the area where Parton was born and raised in Tennessee. The scientists named the lichen Japewiella dollypartoniana to honor the singer and her charitable conservation efforts in her community.
“Just as we have climbed the great peaks of the southern mountains to document new and endangered lichens, she has climbed to the top of music charts and met with success. During her lifelong journey, Ms. Parton has strived to bring attention to, and support, her native region,” they explained.
Dolly Parton Inspired The Name Of A 460-Million-Year-Old Fossil Moss
In 2020, geologist Greg Retallack discovered fossilized moss, along with species of plants, mosses, and lichens, in Tennessee, just a few miles from Dollywood.
Dollywood, the theme park Parton co-owned, sits on more than150 acres of land in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and boasts several attractions and resort hotels.
Per Retallack, the fossil’s proximity to Dollywood helped inspire its name, Dollyphyton buocotii, as a tribute to Parton, as reported by Forbes.
A Hybrid Orange-Red Rose Shares The Iconic Singer’s Name
Amateur flower breeder Joe Winchel created a new breed of rose in 1984 by cross-pollinating the Oklahoma and Fragrant Cloud varieties. The result was a bright orange-red hybrid tea flower that gives off a sweet and spicy fragrance.
Winchel named his creation after the iconic country singer, telling the Los Angeles Times, “It’s the color of Dolly’s lipstick. It has big blooms, lots of perfume, excellent form, and it likes the hot weather”
Parton gave her blessing for the rose to be named after her, though she has said that yellow roses were her favorite.
A Newborn Pygmy Hippo Was Named Dolly Parton After The Singer’s Passing
The Brevard Zoo in Florida recently introduced the new addition to their family, a female pygmy hippo. “In honor of Dolly Parton’s passing and her legacy of joy, generosity, and sparkle, we’ve named her Dolly,” the announcement read.
Pygmy hippos are classified as an endangered species, with an estimated population of about 2,000 to 2,500 mature hippos in the wild. Conservation groups and researchers are taking steps to prevent pygmy hippos from becoming extinct.
Parton was a strong supporter of wildlife and animal welfare, using her platform to advocate for these causes. She also donated millions of dollars to support wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education efforts.
