Latin language in botany
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu, "moholt\"@gardens.com>\""@nixon.ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Latin language in botany
- From: "p*@nevco.k12.ca.us" <p*@nevco.k12.ca.us>
- Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 18:54:21 -0800
Ix asked:
Am I the only one troubled by talk of "yellow oxalis"? Is it too hard
for
some correspondents to identify plants?
Then Carol asked:
Do we have a convention on this mail list that we *must* use scientific
names when posting?
*****
I'll weigh in with a suggestion that we refer to the scientific names of
plants when necessary. A casual reference to a plant in a more general
discussion about a broader subject such as lawns should not require any
more identification than its common name. But if we're talking about
species of plants and places where they grow, it's probably wise to be
as specific as possible to avoid confusion.
In the long run, it probably is very useful to know the genus and
species names of the plants we're talking about. But language works best
when it is the most inclusive as possible.
By the way, I just read a brochure for the Yosemite Association's 1999
field seminars. There are wildflower and birding outings that have been
designed for people put off by overly scientific language in nature
study. That should be a warning that linguistic rules get in the way of
enjoying flora and fauna.
So, what was "yellow oxalis" anyway?
Paul Harrar
Nevada City, CA (Zone 7, 2,700 feet)
