Each line is a rebus for a kind of flower:
- BLACK + EYE + SUSAN = BLACK-EYED SUSAN
- PURPLE + FOX + GLOVE = PURPLE FOXGLOVE
- CAR + NATION = CARNATION
- CALIFORNIA + BUTTER + CUP = CALIFORNIA BUTTERCUP
- PEACE + LILY (POTTER) = PEACE LILY
- YELLOW + GOAT + BEARD = YELLOW GOAT'S BEARD
- SWAMP + LANTERN = SWAMP LANTERN
- JACOB (BLACK) + LADDER = JACOB'S LADDER
Then, as suggested by the flavor text ("Scientists are working diligently to identify these specimens") we look at the scientific names of the flowers:
- Black-eyed Susan: Rudbeckia hirta
- Purple foxglove: Digitalis purpurea
- Carnation: Dianthus caryophyllus
- California buttercup: Ranunculus californicus
- Peace lily: Spathiphyllum
- Yellow goat's beard: Tragopogon dubius
- Swamp lantern: Lysichiton americanus
- Jacob's ladder: Polemonium caeruleum
Finally, we index into these names by the numbers provided. This gives us "CITRUSLIMONNAME". The common name of Citrus limon is the answer, LEMON.