Re: botanical latin and this list
Dear Gardening friends,
Well said, Sean. But I feel like writing in support of any member who may want
to ask a question regards a plant and have no idea of the scientific name. I
am sure in the past it has not taken long for all the erudite members of this
great mailing list, to discover not only what the plant is but also the
scientific name. I would hope that this discussion will not frighten off the
less trained reader seeking to broaden their knowledge.
I think I have quoted Reginald Arkell before and I am going to do it again :-]
"Those Latin Names" by R Arkell
It was a simple country child
Who took me by the hand:
Why English flowers had Latin names
She couldn't understand.
Those funny, friendly English flowers,
That bloom from year to year -
She asked me if I would explain,
And so I said to her:
ERANTHIS is an aconite
As everybody knows,
And HELLEBORUS NIGER is
Our friend the Christmas Rose.
GALANTHUS is a snowdrop,
MATTHIOLA is a stock,
And CARDAMINE the meadow flower
Which you call lady's smock.
MUSCARI is grape hyacinth,
DIANTHUS is a pink -
And that's as much as one small head
Can carry, I should think.
She listened, very patiently;
Then turned, when I had done,
To where a fine FORSYTHIA
Was smiling in the sun.
Said she: "I love this yellow stuff.
And that, somehow, seemed praise enough
Gay, a very old member of medit-plants, who has felt a bit hesitant to write
her nonsense lately
--
Gay Klok Tasmania
NEW ARTICLE: February article: A murder took place in the Town garden: HISTORY
and CONIFERS
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/451/14213
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/3411
http://members.tripod.com/~klok/WRINKLY_.HTM
