Re: Correct plant names

**"Christopher P. Lindsey" t*@spamffoder.com**

> I think it's interesting that my recommendation of a British book as 
> the last word on correct plant names drew so few responses from the 
> (predominantly American) membership of this list. I'd be very 
> interested to know what garden writers actually use to ensure that 
> their plant names are correct. Or is no one especially interested in 
> the subject?

Hi Graham,

   Based on your recommendation a few years back, I now use the RHS
   Plant Finder as well.  I've converted some of the professors in 
   the horticulture department at the University of Illinois to the
   RHS Plant Finder as well, so students are now being taught with
   that as the primary reference for botanical nomenclature.

   Many arboreta and botanical gardens are also relying on the RHS
   Plant Finder; Paul Cappiello (formerly of Bernheim fame, now at
   Yew-Dell Gardens and publishing "Cornus" this fall) is a prime 
   example.  

   Our general consensus is to use the RHS Plant Finder for most cases,
   but use other more authoritative articles/books in certain cases.
   For example, RHS lists Trillium rivale; I refer to it as 
   Pseudotrillium rivale as per Susan Farmer.  I also follow Dorothy 
   Callaway's Magnolia book for a breakdown of Magnolia species -- I 
   feel that her choices to lump and split differently than RHS
   were well thought out and are definitely justifiable.

   Personally, I feel that proper naming and an understanding of
   taxonomy should be a priority for anyone in a position to educate
   others about horticulture.  

Chris

"I don't rejoice in insects at all," Alice explained.  "But I can tell
you the names of some of them."

"Of course they answer to their names," the Gnat remarked carelessly.

"I never knew them to do it".

"Whats the use of their having names," the Gnat said, "if they won't 
answer to them?"

"No use to them," said Alice.  "But it's useful to the people that 
name them, I suppose. If not, why do things have names at all?"

                          -- Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

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