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Martin Quigley, The Ohio State University, Horticulture and Crop Science; James A. Chatfield, Kenneth D. Cochran, |
Knowing how plants are named is a critical skill for all horticulturists. As Michael Dirr notes in his useful notes on nomenclature in Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, "A name is a handle by which we get to know certain people, places, and plants." Plant names and the many nuances incorporated in those names help us get to know plants better.
The multiple common names of plants are often confusing. Toss in botanical Latin, and many plea to be spared the details. It brings to mind the old student lament of:
Confusion with names, however, is the very reason it is important to have a basic understanding of the naming systems for plants. As horticulturists, we want to avoid errors, to communicate properly to each other, to grow in our plant knowledge, and to enjoy the wonderful world of plants.
When someone asks if a red maple is a good choice for a sunny wet site, what would we tell them? Are all ornamental pears equally susceptible to storm damage? What is the size of the species Viburnum opulus vs. the cultivar Viburnum opulus 'Compactum' vs. the cultivar Viburnum opulus 'Nanum'? Is it possible for chokeberries to get fireblight? These questions can all be answered with a good working understanding of how plants are named and classified.