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Colloquial Plant Names

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  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    We take it for granted I think, but 'forget-me-not' is charming. Sweethearts parting, that sort of thing.
    Most likely refers to the fact that once it has flowered and set seed in a garden, it's unlikely to be forgotten!

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I think it is important to use the Latin if you can. Other gardeners are more likely to know what you are referring to.
    And if they don't, they can look it up and get it right.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Snow in summer - Mum always called it Snow on the mountain.
    Southampton 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Common names for wild flowers are fine - but having worked for some years in a garden centre, I agree with those advocating botanical names for cultivated plants.  "Have you got black-eyed Susan?"  "Well... do you mean Rudbeckia or Thunbergia?"
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Having failed Latin miserably at school I have terrible trouble remembering the ‘ proper’ names of plants .Even if I do remember I invariably pronounce it wrongly . Just a mental block I guess ,still I’m 70 now so I don’t suppose it matters really now .
  • My Nan always called antirhinnum 'bunny mows' (rhymes with cows). Not heard it called this by anyone else, it maybe an old Kentish word, she had a few I've not heard anywhere else!

    I also love foxglove for digitalis, so much nicer, and we all use it. I imagine a lovely little fox wearing lovely velvet mittens 🙂
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    My Nan always called antirhinnum 'bunny mows' (rhymes with cows). Not heard it called this by anyone else, it maybe an old Kentish word, she had a few I've not heard anywhere else!

    Perhaps derived from 'bunny mouths'?
  • Woodgreen said:
    My Nan always called antirhinnum 'bunny mows' (rhymes with cows). Not heard it called this by anyone else, it maybe an old Kentish word, she had a few I've not heard anywhere else!

    Perhaps derived from 'bunny mouths'?
    Yes, that's what I think 🐰
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    The etymology of foxgloves is quite interesting. The flowers are not gloves worn by foxes but rather by (little) folks aka fairies, elves etc. Folk got corrupted into fox.
    Rutland, England
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    That's interesting @BenCotto.
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