This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Latin names


You'll find this helpful, Robin:

http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html

 >

It's Dictionary of Botanical Epithets.  In most cases a Latin name
describes an outstanding characteristic of the plant; i.e., lutea means
yellow and longifolium indicates long leaves.  In others, the name will
include an honorific for the person that "discovered" the plant; sternii or
watsonii are good examples (knowing this can sometimes tell you where and
when a plant was first collected).  Obviously, the descriptive terms are
generally more helpful.  I have a tendency to ignore almost anything with
'lutea' in it's name, I'm so burned out on yellow (with exceptions like
Paeonia lutea, of course.  I'm still looking for one I can justifiably
AFFORD!).

You're *only* on three lists?  *Sneer*! :)

Both books you mentioned are worthwhile.

Keith zone 5, WNY

>ok, I belong to three plant lists and you've finally convinced me I need
to
>learn the latin names.  I didn't think I'd ever care but you have a
>convert.:)  So now the question is books.  I went to Barnes and Noble
>tonight and found a couple that were pricy but nice and I'd like
opinions.
>One was a huge copy of Taylors.  Lots of pictures lots of names.  I like
>it.  The other was The American Hort Encyclopidia.  Again pricey but I
>thought neat.  Lots of pictures to go with the latin and common names. 
For
>me personaly I think I would get more out of learning these if I could
>associate it with pictures of plants.  Especially in the cases of the
>plants I'm already familur with.  Does anyone have any other suggestion?
>Any comments on the two books I did find?  Any comments greatfully
welcome.
>
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index