I used to use an American website which gave you the correct pronunciation for a large range of plants and trees names, but that has now ceased. Does anyone else use such a website as it is useful when confronted with some particularly contorted Latin name?
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I don't think there can be one JB8, I've heard many 'experts' talking about plants using some very different pronunciations.
I have heard the word Ribes as rybes, (one syllable), ribees, reebs and reebees.
In the sticks near Peterborough
When I did my college course I had to do 200 plant I.D's with common and latin names, we were given the phonetic pronunciation along with the latin spelling. Once you have learnt the basics you can work out how to pronounce new words.
Latin names are very important as there are many plants with the same common name.
Latin pronunciation is different in different languages and within the English speaking world.
As long as you can understand what the words mean, then pronunciation is irrelevant:
http://www.rainyside.com/resources/reference/latin.html
I have to say I'm all for "latin" names.
Common names vary by country to country, or even county to county.
Some plants have the same common name Sun rose can either be cistus, or helianthemum , but helianthemum is sometimes called rock rose. Botanical names might seem tricky at first, but they are accepted worldwide.
I find them a lot easier than remembering which of the common names belongs to which plant.
I prefer 'binomial system'. Two names, genus and species, variety or cultivar added when appropriate. Can't go wrong and no need to justify all those words that aren't Latin.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I studied Latin for six years and the latinised botanical names make sense to me as they tell you a lot about the plant and its family. The true Latin pronunciation is not to accent any syllable any more than the others.
I agree with Nut. I find using the genus and the species, gives you a much better idea as to what sort of conditions a plant is likely to thrive in.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
i find this very helpful
Ah yes, A. T. Johnson of Geranium 'A. T. Johnson' fame
In the sticks near Peterborough
I was taught to just say each syllable with equal emphasis, but I don't think it really matters how you say it, it's a dead language so there's no real correct way. I find I can understand the scientific names no matter how they are pronounced. Don't worry about it, no-one will laugh at you!