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Re: New Year stuff

TW. Hatton-Ellis wrote:
> 
> Fortunately I don't grow any Clivias. However, perhaps the name Kaffir
> lily should be ditched for practical as well as PC reasons, since I have
> always associated it with Schizostylus coccinea.
> 
> When I think of it, there are quite a few offensive plant names. A type of
> cabbage known as 'Niggerhead' springs to mind (this is actually a variety
> name rather than a common name, and is surely much more offensive). Plant
> names have often had other connotations - Linnaeus named the genus Bartsia
> (a group of rather insignificant semi-parasitic labiates) after another
> botanist who he didn't like. I dare say there are other examples around
> the place.

I am no fan of the PC mania, which I feel is often used by people with
an axe to grind to foment rather than diminish ill-feeling between
different peoples. However I must just ask what is the objection to
using the short, easily-pronounced "Clivia" instead of the much more
cumbersome "Kaffir Lily"? 

I am amused that many non-botanists will tell you they cannot possibly
cope with scientific names and then happily talk about Rhododendron,
Camellia, Chrysanthemum and so on. It's all in the mind!

As an example of the confusion which can arise from insisting on
"non-scientific" names Schysostylis coccinia is known in New Zealand as
"Winter Ixia".

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
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