Learn a Little Latin – Botanical Names
By Vanessa Richins
Once you start venturing into the wonderful world of urban gardening, you may notice that plants can be called by many different names.
Every plant has at least two names – a common name and a botanical Latin name.
Why would you want to learn the Latin (botanical) name of a plant?
The Latin name of each plant is determined using a system called binomial nomenclature, invented by a botanist named Carl Linnaus. This system gives each plant (and animal, too) a specific two word name – the genus and the species. The genus refers to a group of plants with similar characteristics. The species refers to one specific plant.
One advantage to knowing the Latin name is that you can make sure that you are talking about the right plant with other gardeners. Common names can vary by region, or even by person. A plant may have several common names. While there are a few instances where plants may have more than one Latin name (due to uncertainty by scientists) or changes in names, they generally stay steady.
For example, someone was once asking what needed to be done to get rid of their puncture vine. I hadn’t ever heard of this plant, and it wasn’t until we walked over and saw the weed that I knew what she was talking about. I knew it as goatheads. However, if you say Tribulus terrestris, everyone knows exactly what plant is being discussed. No matter what language someone speaks, the same Latin name is used by all.
Another fun characteristic of Latin names is that they can tell you something about the plant. If the species name is grandiflora, the plant has large (grandi-) flowers (-flora). Alba or albus means white.
Botanists may also use humor or personal preferences in choosing the names. One tropical plant is Macrocarpaea dies-viridis. Dies-viridis means Green Day – telling you that the botanist in this case happened to name the plant in honor of a favorite band. In the animal world, Preseucoila imallshookupis is a wasp that was named for Elvis Presley.
I know it can be overwhelming to try to remember such foreign looking words. However, if you peek into the wonderful world of plant Latin names, it can greatly enhance your enjoyment of gardening.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Here is a great site for learning those Latin names:
http://www.finegardening.com/pguide/pronunciation-guide-to-botanical-latin.aspx
Simply choose a Latin plant name and a woman pronounces it.
Give it a try!