Saturday, May 03, 2008

English, not Latin!

click photo to enlarge
You say Digtalis, I say Foxglove, let's call the whole thing off! To paraphrase the song just a little! I don't know about you, but I much prefer English names to Latin names for plants. How much more evocative and interesting is the English name, Snapdragon, compared with the Latin Antirrhinum? Or Bluebell rather than Hyacinthoides non-scripta? Surely a Rosa canina by its English name, Dog Rose, smells as sweet?

I won't deny that there's a botanical case to be made for adopting Latin names under the Linnaean system to be specific, to prevent confusion, and to give each plant a name recognisable in all countries. However, there seems to be no good reason for the layman to be encouraged to use the scientific name rather than a country-specific common name as some writers and organisations propose. To do so is to deny the colour and history associated with the plant, and impoverishes our lives in a small way.

Today's photograph is of a Geranium (English name Cranesbill) or is it a Pelargonium? There has been some debate over the Latin name for this plant, with the latter winning out in most parts of the world and in recent years. However, for older folk Geranium clings on. This particular plant, described as Geranium "Vancouver Centennial" on its label, came into my house recently. I recognised it as a zonal Geranium, and was impressed by its strongly figured leaves. So I nipped a few to put together this jagged image. Unfortunately it reminds me of a bit of street graffiti!

photograph & text (c) T. Boughen

Camera: Olympus E510
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 35mm macro (70mm/35mm equiv.)
F No: f16
Shutter Speed: 0.3
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -0.3 EV
Image Stabilisation: Off