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  RE: Why scentists/plant collectors ---- ad nauseatum :-)
From: "Horak, David" davidhorak at bbg.org> on 2001.07.13 at 19:49:52(7033)
I agree Julius. To reiterate what has been pointed out previously, if you
think binomial nomenclature can be confusing and frustrating with "name
changes" and so forth, relying on common names would be a nightmare. Aroids
are not my principle botanical interest, orchids are. In the Orchidaceae
there are so many different species (and hybrids) known as the "Butterfly
Orchid" or the "Bumblebee Orchid" from around the world knowing which genus,
much less species, someone is referring to can be very difficult. In many
cases species are so superficially similar to each other that
differentiation is difficult for the expert much less the layperson. A
common name serves only to clump rather than clarify. Additionally, the same
common names frequently have been applied to species from very different
plants in different families from all over the world. The obverse is also
true some plants with wide distributions have several common names depending
on locality. Certainly, within the Orchidaceae with 20 some thousand plus
species and well over 100,000 registered hybrids, a common name rarely helps
to clarify which plant is being described or discussed. In my experience the
idea that the common person just wants a pretty plant with a simple name is
not generally accurate. I find that when people are just beginning to
develop an interest in plants for the garden or windowsill a common name is
easier and less formidable but as they get into it or acquire more plants,
they want to know the latin names.

Of course there are plenty of problems with the latin binomial system and
its ability to reflect species variation and complexes, etc. but be thankful
there is a system, rules and a process. For a somewhat more entertaining
view of taxonomy and names check out the following link.
http://www.best.com/~atta/taxonomy.html

regards,

Dave Horak

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