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Why Latin names matter

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  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Luckily in my professional life, I did not come across many people who thought that DIY intensive care, was a good idea, and I don't think I was ever called elitist.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2018
    Perhaps those who don't wish to encourage accuracy  elitism should state that when they ask a question they wish only for answers in vague, general and unspecific terms ... then we'll know how to reply  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I love to meet folk who know more about a subject than I do. I see it as an opportunity to learn from them, not to sneer at them.
    Devon.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    For instance, I need the novi -belgii or novi-angliae suffix to tell me which of many 'Michaelmas Daisies' will succumb to mildew in my garden
    I only recently learned that novi belgii means from New York, New Belgium being an old name for the city.
    Rutland, England
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    From the same root as 'facilitate'. More to think about :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2018
    Latin names matter because if you go to a nursery and ask for a fern you might end up buying one that can't cope with bright sunlight and dryish conditions ... however you know that if you go to a nursery and ask for Polypodium vulgare you'll get a type of fern that will be happy in your round sunny central bed.

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1020603/polypodium-vulgare-follow-up#latest


    Isn't that just great  :D

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2018
    Thank you Dove, that was nice of you.  :)

    Yes, that is true, and I concede that sometimes it is better to use the proper botanical terminology.

    I just feel that common terms are easier for the lay person, (me) and it is a kind of snobbery and one-up-manship to labour the point to such an extent because I called my thistle a thistle. Someone was out to put me right, and there is no "right" except for people in the trade. We are not sitting exams here.  :)
    No, but we are answering people's queries, and getting it right is important for them.

    It's a shame that you took umbrage at an explanation which was simply that ... an explanation which would give you more information about a plant you were obviously proud of ... and then were unpleasant on this thread to people who tried to explain why the proper name is helpful ... in my experience many people like to learn more about something they're keen on ... and a few don't  :(

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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