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Re: [SG] Cimicifuga information/ Now diphylla

earthspirit <bdn7458@MAILBAG.COM> wrote:

> Jaime, thanks for clarifying what I said! I would echo Claire.....I'm tired
> of name changes when we non-taxonomists never hear why the name has been
> changed...the flower isn't any more beautiful. I'm glad the taxonomists are
> willing/eager to measure the length of stamens, the placement of leaves, and
> the locations of wild populations in order to categorize plants. It's a
> dirty job, but this kid would fall asleep doing it.   Jean Bawden-Madison,Wi

Oooo!  I got it right, huh?  <g>

The thing is that when the genus is changed and it's a plant we
have or want to buy, there are almost always cross-references
for quite some time.  That, I have no problems with and it
really doesn't happen all that often.

But we are running into the difference between genetic
classifications with new technology modifying (mainly)
the old method of external observation and the taxonomists are
making careers on changing species names.  And with some of the
"looser" genuses, it is happening with great regularity.  Then
you get into sports, cultivars, etc. ... please.  Fine for
career-building, botanists and those who care.  I don't.  I've
never yet been unable to find the plant I want or to communicate
effectively with others.

I want C. 'Brunette' because I love the look of a C. with dark
foliage.  If it is called C. ramosa 'Brunette' at The Flower
Factory instead of C. simplex 'Brunette' ... guess what?  I
don't give a damn.  I want the plant and it's the one I want.
Someone could call it "Charlie" for all I care.  And if someone
asks me what it is and I reply that it is C. 'Brunette' without
any species name, they will be able to find it.

It's similar to those of us who are developing new cultivars of
lavender and thyme.  <g>  I challenge most botanists to
distinguish between some of them.  I do it, but I do it with a
great sense of humor.  Got to.

One more analogy and I'll stop.  I am also a birder, actually I
band & study raptors.  There have been numerous taxonomic
changes in the past 20 some years.  I still have a field guide
that calls Cooper's hawks, chicken hawks.  Some of the older
folks who come to the various migratory hawk watches still refer
to chicken hawks, buzzards and sparrow hawks.  I know they are
talking about Cooper's hawks, vultures and kestrels and there is
no confusion.  Most people don't want to know about the fine
points of identifying the 8 color morphs of western red-tailed
hawks.  I do, but they don't.  When I tried (in the early
days) to explain the distinctions, people got up and walked
out or fell asleep.  They just wanted to know how to identify a
Western Red Tail.  Fine.  There isn't a thing wrong with that.
And we can still communicate just fine.

EOL.
Jaime
jknoble@warwick.net
Z6/5, NW NJ
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