botanical latin and this list

At 09:32 AM 1/24/99 -0800, you wrote:
>
>However, as a group if we do require that scientific names always be used
>as requirement for posting, we should be clear about this and it should be
>so stated to everyone. Who sets the rules here?

Hi Carol - 

I think that point that was being made was that 'yellow oxalis' is
sufficiently general enough to confuse rather than enlighten.  As you
state, it was not your main point, and I'm sure people would occasionally
not realize that the common name used was not enough information for
others.  The point really is for the discussion to be clear enough to
be of value.  Sine there are various tyeps of 'yellow oxalis' which are
VERY different in their growth, habit, and irradication.  We don't need
to go overboard in our criticisms of unclear information, nor do we
need to get defensive.  I am sure we are all looking for the same thing
here.

A friend of mine, from Australia, was once looking for a plant from her
homeland at a local nursery.  She asked for it under the Australian
common name explaining to the staff that this was the only name under
which she knew it.  Rather than take up the challenge or be interested
in learning something directly about an Australian species, the nursery
person turned to her co-worker and said "some people will call a plant
anything!".  Needless to say, my friend NEVER visited that nursery again.
This is why there are scientific names.  When we want to be clear, one of 
the best methods is to use the botanical latin.  It is not a REQUIREMENT
of this group.  At times, it makes the discussion much clearer.

I guess I'm setting a 'rule'.

Your humble list manager
Sean O.
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