Re: Scientific names

Rick Walker (walker@cutter.hpl.hp.com)
Fri, 28 Jan 1994 12:45:22 -0800

> Was wondering if you or someone else could post a translation
> between scientific names and common names of the more popular plants.
> I find it hard to follow some of the conversations since I am not
> familiar with Latin.

Once you get away from common weeds and crop plants, there is often
no common name for a particular plant. That's why scientific names
were invented. They provide a documented, unambiguous way to refer
to a specific plant, independant of language, country, culture, etc.

Latin, being a dead language, was chosen to avoid hurting anyone's
feelings.

Here are the common names for various CP genera:

Drosera Sundew
Nepenthes Tropical Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia North American Pitcher Plant
Pinguicula Butterwort
Utricularia Bladderwort
Dionaea Venus Fly Trap
Drosophyllum Portugese Dewy Pine

There are some common names for various species within each genera, but
they are extremely variable and depend on who you hang out with.

For instance, "Huntsmen's horn" could be a local name for Sarracenia
purpurea, or in other parts of the country could be S. rubra, etc. In
some cases, it might be the name for some *non* carnivorous plant like
an Arum or Lily.

It is really best to learn the *real* names. Find yourself a good CP
book and look things up when you see the names. In no time at all
you'll know them pretty well.

--
Rick