Re: Yellow Oxalis and Latin Names

Date:          Mon, 25 Jan 1999 14:08:56 -0800 (PST)
From:          Cyndi Norman <cnorman@best.com>
To:            xfaberman@sprynet.com
Cc:            medit-plants@ucdavis.edu, cnorman@best.com
Subject:       Re: Yellow Oxalis and Latin Names
Reply-to:      cnorman@best.com

   Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 10:49:50 -0500
   From: Xavier <xfaberman@sprynet.com>

   I know Oxalis pes-caprae is correctly called Bermuda Buttercup (see The
   Jepson Manual), but I've visited California twice and NO ONE called it
   Bermuda Buttercup. Everyone I asked called it "yellow oxalis." When I
   pointed to Oxalis corniculata and asked what that was (although I
   already knew), I was informed, "Oh, that's another yellow oxalis." Thus,
   I know from experience that when a Californian says "yellow oxalis," one
   cannot automatically assume which species of Oxalis he or she is
   referring to.

I grew up in San Diego and now live in Oakland.  Before someone said it on
the list a couple days ago, I had never heard the term "yellow oxalis."  I
had no trouble figuring out that the writer meant Oxalis pes-caprae
though.  I have the other yellow-flowered oxalis in my yard too but it's
Oxalis pes-caprae that is the the invasive species people talk about, and
since that was the context of the post...

I now use the term Bermuda Buttercup because people on this list use it and
it's in Sunset.  I figured it was the more well-known common name.  I had
never heard it before though.

I call Oxalis pes-caprae "sourgrass."  That's what we called it in San
Diego (while munching on the stems of course) and that's the only name I
have ever heard for it before looking it up in gardening books or seeing it
on this list.

My view on Latin names:  I've had the oppitsite problem...I see the latin
name and don't know the common one.  I am glad when people take the time to
state the latin name for a plant.  I think that's extremely helpful and
avoids all the problems that people have posted about.  But I wish people
would also say the common name.  At least *a* common name.  

There have been many posts about a plant that never mention the common name
so if I don't recognize the latin, I'll skip them.  Then someone will say
the common name down later in the thread and I'll kick myself for tossing
the earlier posts because it's a plant I want to know more about.

Sometimes a common name is mentioned at first but subsequent posts delete
it.  I find I lose track of a discussion that way.  I get a lot of email
and it's hard to remember who said what where.  Even if I don't know the
common name I find it easier to keep track of a thread if a consistant
common name is used.  Heck, sometimes people will discuss a plant by its
latin name and then in later posts all you see of the name is the initial
followed by the species.  I really lose track then.

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Chemically sensitive/disabled - Organic Gardening only by choice and neccessity
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)           cyndi@consultclarity.com
                                                 http://www.consultclarity.com/
_________________ Owner of the Immune Website & Lists http://www.immuneweb.org/

Dear Cyndi,

The 'Bermuda Buttercup' is a very good case of why we should try to 
use Latin names, esp. when dealing with international correspondence 
like this site. The dammed thing, Oxalis pes-caprae comes from the 
Cape Province in South Africa so its connection with Bermuda is as an 
introduced weed! O. corniculata comes from Japan. Both are yellow but 
the name commonest in various regions tells us nothing certain that 
helps us all know what we are talking about when we use common names.

regards

trevor n

-----------------
Trevor Nottle
Garden Writer, Historian,     
Lecturer and Comsultant 
       
    'Walnut Hill'                          
     5 Walker St       
     Crafers SA 5152 
     AUSTRALIA

Phone: +618 83394210
Fax:   +618 83394210
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index