How the Potato Got Its Name
By Larry Hodgson Back in the 16th century, two new tubers were introduced into the British Isles at much theContinue Reading
Category: horticultural nomenclature
Lavatera No More
Lavatera × clementii ‘Rosea’ is now Malva × clementii ‘Rosea’. Photo: gardenersdream.co.uk Yes, the genus Lavatera is gone, taxonomically speaking at least, and itsContinue Reading
Geranium or Pelargonium: Old Names Die Hard!
Name the mystery plant! Photo: http://www.crocus.co.uk Quick! What is the name of the plant in the photo above? I’ll bet 9 gardenersContinue Reading
Will the Real Marigold Please Stand Up?
Both of these are marigolds, but are in fact very different plants. Tagetes patula (left) and Calendula officinalis (right). CommonContinue Reading
Citrus: A Confusion of Names
Just a sample of the wide variety of citrus fruits. Photo: Bernhard Voß, Wikimedia Commons Collective nouns are names forContinue Reading
Why Plant Names Change
Question: You mentioned in one of your articles that the coleus had a new botanical name. Who decides these name changes?Continue Reading
Succulent Plants: Not So Yummy!
Succulents are not “succulent” in the sense of “delicious.” Ill.: clipart-library.com, montage: laidbackgardener.blog Beginning gardeners are often confused about succulentContinue Reading
Scary Plant Names for Halloween!
Source: http://www.succesrama.com Tonight is Halloween and everywhere, little ghosts and goblins will ring our doorbells in costumes designed to scareContinue Reading
Water Lily, Pond-Lily or Lotus?
Gardeners confuse the three plants above, but they are really very different! Source: http://www.woodvalefishandlilyfarm.com.au & http://www.rarexoticseeds.com There’s considerable confusion surroundingContinue Reading
Daffodil, Jonquil or Narcissus?
You can call these flowers daffodils or narcissus, but none of them is a jonquil. Source: www.jparkers.co.uk http://www.dutchbulbs.com Confusion reigns inContinue Reading
