Lots of you seem to know the Latin names for a lot of plants. That is nice. Since there are a lot of beginners on here, or just experienced gardeners who only know the common names, can those of you who know the Latin names post BOTH the common names and the Latin names so others can learn them also ? I only know a few of the Latin names [like lavendula angustifolia for English Lavender], but mostly just common names. moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
Actually the U.S. appears to be the primary country where gardeners are not taught a plant's Latin name and rely on common names only. Big mistake,as an example... Moonflower is the common name for the Datura stramonium (Jamestown Weed, Thorn Apple, Moonflower) and Ipomoea alba (Moonflower, Moon Vine). One is night blooming Morning Glory and one contains toxic hallucinogens. When I joined GS in January 2006 I knew nothing about the Latin names for plants. I even questioned the need for Latin names on the forum and was sorta, Semi-politely informed that common names were the worst way to ID plants. Many plants have the same common name and if you don't know the Latin name you would never know what plant they or you were talking about. And over the years I have learned that person was oh so correct. The gardeners who only use the Latin name most likely do not know common names, it's just not the way they learned, so adding a common name is not something they think of doing and there are usually are so many common names for each plant that it can be impossible to properly ID a plant using them. When you see the Latin name of a plant used, it is very easy to learn what plant they are talking about by doing a http://www.gardenstew.com/plantstew/ search or a google.com search to find out. I have learned sooooo much about the names of plants over the last 7 years and while I do use common names on many plants I try to use the Latin names just to make sure there is no misunderstanding concerning which plant I am talking about.
That is one of my problem. I only know my common name of my plants. Was snubbed at local garden club by one lady. And found out later. She hired all her work, one reason club closed.
Oh, this is a good one. I know very well Latin names of tropical fish, of course, and what I call tropical plants but when it comes to what I call, garden plants for around here, I just can't get it. That's so funny for me. I guess I have enough just keeping going day by day after all these last few years has dished out to me, that there is no room to remember that JUNK. I should try to get back into learning and using Latin and common names of what is becoming a joy for me. We used to make a game of it and most of our customers in the pet shops knew all the Latin names of most of the fish they liked even the young ones. My daughter and my hubby's son knew the Latin of fish at 5 years old and had to learn the common name later on.
I try to label my plant photos with the Latin Names... but I can never remember them, so I just use the common names in casual conversation.
When talking to a fellow gardener, preferably out in the garden surrounded by the subjects of our conversation , I use common names. If there is a misunderstanding, it is easily cleared up by showing the plant, talking about how it is used, etc. But, when posting, especially on a forum with so many members from so many countries, I try to use both our local common name and the botanical, Latin name. That way there is no confusion about the plant mentioned. Koszta, that is not a problem--and that lady really missed out on having a great gardener as a friend. Latin isn't as important as your green thumb!
I just show lot of pictures. make note how it spreads. how long bloom last. And if it comes back easy---+ care it needs.
I like a lot of pictures too. It helps to ID the plant in my mind. I just thought it would be interesting to learn both the Latin names and the common names. Learning the names of plants grown in other countries would be fun too. I dont know about anyone else, but when I do not know a plant's name [a garden plant or houseplant], and cannot yet ID it, I give it an ordinary name until I do know its proper name--like Fred or George or Sue or any people name that seems good at the time. I never saw Dame's Rockets until I moved her back in the mid 80s, and I had no idea what they were, but instantly loved them. They are lovely, have a heavenly perfume and come back VOLUNTARILY, so I called them "Volunteers" for a time. Later someone told me that they were wild phlox, so I callled them that for a time. A few years ago, I found out they are actually called "Dame's Rockets". I do not yet know the Latin name. How to tell them from phlox: phlox flowerets have 5 petals and smooth leaves. Dame's Rockets have 4 petals per floweret and fuzzy leaves. There are probably some other differences, but those are the main ones to me. I have a lot of plants around here growing wild of which I do not yet know the names.
You would most likely be surprised to learn how many Latin plant names you already know and use. Some of these plants do not have a Common Name, some do but the Latin name is more commonly used than the Common Name. Aster, Astilbe, Hosta, Alyssum, Anemone, Arnica, Artemisia, Budleja, Clematis, Cleome, Datura, Delphinium, Euphorbia, Fritillaria, Gaillardia, Gaura, Iris, Kochia, Lewisia, Mahonia, Nicotiana, Penstemon, Phlox, Ranunculus, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, Senecio, Trillium, Verbena, Veronica, Viola, Yucca, Abelia Just to name a few.
Toni, I do know many of those plants. Some I have only heard the name [arnica, a toxic plant used in old times for medicinal purposes according to the vases at the local pharmacy] and could not identify it on sight. I have lots of some of those like irises, ranunculus [peonies], and hostas. Is poison Hemlock a Latin name ? I have that all over the place, and don't ever confuse that one with Queen Anne's Lace. Then there is an evergreen named Hemlock too, but I do not know if that is poisonous or not.
I like to know both common names & the latin names too if I can. Unfortunately, at 60, my memory is not what it once was, so sometimes it is a challenge. But, I like knowing the latin names because sometimes I learn more about the plant, like what is related to what. Has anyone been watching the videos that Philip has posted on various plant families? Asters, Primulas, etc? I have been getting such a bang out of them! (Ok, ok I know I am a little plant nerdy...)
And... what about the INTERNATIONAL members??? Please don't expect me to learn the common names. I don't even know them in Romanian. I am not a Botanist, not a professional in any way, but the Botanical (Don't call it Latin, cause it's really not Latin) is UNIQUE and understood by speakers of all languages.
