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Why Latin names matter

punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
in The potting shed
Regarding recent thread on thistles.
I want to buy a poppy.

Annual poppy - Papaver somniferum.
Perennial poppies - Papaver orientalis
                          - Papaver rhoeas
Plume poppy       - Macleya
Himalayan Poppy - Meconopsis
Californian poppy - Eschscholzia.

These are just a few of thousands of examples.
Most of them are not poppies at all, and require very different growing conditions.
So yes, names do matter.
How can you lie there and think of England
When you don't even know who's in the team

S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
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Posts

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    In total agreement pdoc.  Much easier if we know what plant we want or are talking about.
    SW Scotland
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Quite so. Lots of confusion otherwise  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Yes. Some people find the Latin off putting or elitist, but it's really important to know your alliums.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Of course they do pd. But we have to accept that it's beyond some people's ability. Like understanding electronics and physics is beyond my ability.
    Many don't care, or don't understand the difference.


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Suppose I was lucky in that I did Latin in school.
    SW Scotland
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    If you can learn a common name you can surely grasp a correct botanical name, especially when the importance has been so often pointed out on these boards.  If you're a beginner gardener it certainly helps to get the correct advice if the plant is correctly identified.

    I know enough about electronics and physics to know that there is far more about them than I well ever need to know or understand but that they will still work for me if treated with respect.

    Same goes for plants, gardens and people on here giving advice freely and with good will.  It is counter productive to scoff at advice or info given on these boards just because you think it's fussy.   Better to embrace, learn and grow.   Some even say Thank You.      
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    I often/usually use both when posting.  It may even stimulate more enthusiam, especially if folk look up the common names as these often have interesting (and sometimes quite surprising or indelicate) roots (pun intended.) :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    The latin names so often give other clues as well.
    Dryopteris, a fern that will cope with dry conditions
    Hydrangea, likes to be kept damp
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I didn't see there had been recent hoo ha on the site about being anti-Latin....
  • VegplotmummyVegplotmummy Posts: 96
    Oh come on guys! No one has said Latin names don't matter. 
    @punkdoc why create this thread? Just to make a point to the poster on a previous thread? 
    It's a bit pathetic really, were not in high school! Maybe they didn't know the Latin name? it was a post about a purchase made with how people comment on it being a weed! harmless! 
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