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Why Latin names matter

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  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Re hydrangeas.

    I have no idea which is the correct answer but I read somewhere that if the plant name 'Hydrangea' was to indicate that it liked moist conditions it would be more correctly named 'Hydrongea'

    The argument in that post was that the 'Hydra-' indicates multi-headed - being from the Greek 'Hydra' - the multi-headed serpent slain by Hercules.

    Mind you, it was a water serpent - so maybe it means both...

    That other thread was just silly - we all make mistakes or call stuff by common names - but most of us accept there is a full and correct botanical name for plants that reduces confusion - even if we choose not to use those names. Some like to learn - others don't...
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    I’ve been researching this on the ‘etymologies’ thread. Hydor= Greek for water and aggeion= vessel. It refers to the shape of the seed capsule.
    Rutland, England
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I was not just being pedantic, as has become clear from the other posts.
    If we want to know what people are talking about, it is essential to use botanical names.
    Also the correct names often give an insight into how the plants should be grown.
    Sorry you think I was being pathetic, but i think I have demonstrated that I was not, and it is a fairly regular source of confusion on here.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Just to add my Gallic pinch of salt to the discussion, an often overlooked point in favour of Latin/botanical/scientific names is that they are universally recognised by speakers of any language. ;)
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    to the person who said it's pathetic. That was the first comment that could be considered rude on this thread. Well done :) 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited August 2018
    I have no idea why those of us who prefer "factual accuracy"on this subject , or any other. are derided.
     ;) 
    Devon.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    edited August 2018
    Obelixx said:
    Clematis is Greek and heuchera.  
    I thought heuchera was named after Johann von Heucher, a doctor and botanist, who wrote a booklet about magic plants
    Rutland, England
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    An example that comes up very regularly, is Geraniums and Pelargoniums. Both are commonly called Geranium, but they are totally different plants, which require totally different care.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Picidae said:
    Obelixx said:
    Clematis is Greek and heuchera.  
    I thought heuchera was named after Johann von Heucher, a doctor and botanist, who wrote a booklet about magic plants

    You are correct Picidae

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • nutcutlet said:
    to the person who said it's pathetic. That was the first comment that could be considered rude on this thread. Well done :) 
    Saying posting a thread is pathetic isn't rude. In my book it's not anyway. Especially when the thread was started all because someone didn't use the correct name of a plant. 
    Let's remember this is a gardening forum for ALL. Not everyone is bothered about using the Latin name. Others enjoy learning about why the plant is called what it is. Every gardener is different. 

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