CONSERVATION CORNER

WHAT'S IN A NAME?
COMMON VS SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF PLANTS AT THE NURSERY

What the heck is a Rosa woodsii? Yes, scientific names can be confusing and annoying. But, there are very good reasons for their development and use. First, common names often refer to several different plants within a small area. For example "iron wood" is used for two very different shrubs between Big Bear and Palm Springs. In Big Bear it's used as a name for "mountain mahogany" and in Palm Spring it refers to "mesquite", two very different plants. To make matters worse, there is at least one iron wood in Africa and one in Brazil, etc.! It should be clear that common names have very limited utility beyond your town, county, or state. This situation becomes even worse when you realize that for every 1000 plants with designated scientific names, no more than about 100 have common names!

Scientific names were developed so that each plant has a unique name. But, this does not mean that you need to begin memorizing a million very weird names! Scientific names are similar to human names only in reverse. Instead of Joe Smith, its Smith Joe. And, all of the Smith's (of the plant world) are closely related. Thus, Rosas (common name is "rose") are the closely related roses of the world. Every one of you knows what a rose looks like! Beyond flower appearance, most closely related plants have similar horticultural requirements. So, don't be intimidated! Memorize a few scientific names, and you will find your next trip to the nursery a much friendlier and more informative place.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Salvia = flowering sages
• Pinus = pines
• Aquilegia = columbines
• Delphinium = larkspurs
• Iris = iris
• Eriogonum = buckwheats
• Achillea = yarrows
• Lavendula = lavenders
• Phlox = phlox
• Penstemon = beardtongues
• Rosmarianus = rosemarys
• Thymus = thymes
• Echinacea = echinaceas
• Veronica = veronicas
• Quercus = oaks

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