I. pseudacorus (& pronunciation)
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@Rt66.com>
- Subject: I. pseudacorus (& pronunciation)
- From: S* M* <S*@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
- Date: Mon, 08 Apr 96 22:25:27 CDT
Tom, I feel a little bad about stirring the pot on this again (actually,
I'm enjoying this discussion) but I've heard a number of aroid taxonomists
pronounce Acorus as a-COR-us, including some of the recognized authorities
on the family. Not only that, at least one of the dictionaries of botanical
names I have lists the preferred accenting as a-KO-rus (I can't find the
other; I've never believed I could have too many botanical books, but if
I can't find them when I want ...).
On the other hand, I've heard the experts disagree among themselves a
number of times, and most aroiders don't even think Acorus should be in
the family any more.
I have noticed, when I've been lucky enough to be around these people, that
they seem to all invariably follow Tom's policy of not correcting anyone's
pronunciation of botanical names - I don't know if they are just all very
diplomatic people, or afraid of starting a discussion like this. However,
they will not go so far as to mispronounce a name themselves just to make
one feel at ease!
Since we have spent so long debating how its name is pronounced, let me ask
the more knowledgable on the list a question re I. pseudacorus. I have only
the basic form; I have seen a couple of others offered, a double and a
variegated-foliage form.
Kohlein's book lists a number of other forms - v. bastardii, v. superba,
'Typ Keukenhof', 'Beuron', 'Ilgengold', and 'Fahle Ilge', the last 3 being
tetraploids. I'm sure there are more since that book was published. In the
opinion of the list, which are the very best varieties or cultivars of this
species and why?
-- Steve Marak
-- SAMARAK@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU or SAMARAK@UAFSYSB.BITNET
