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Why do plant botanical names matter?
I often find myself explaining why plant botanical names matter. In some cases, the conversation begins so clients buy exactly the plant name I’ve specified for them. In other situations, I’m met with a client who wants me to tell them if a plant they call by some obscure common name or a partial or guestimated botanical name will work for them. And sometimes I just share this information for fun. However, learning why plant scientific names are important always helps gardeners grow better gardening knowledge. And there are several reasons I’ll explain here.
Order a ‘panda plant’ or a ‘Ling Ling’ plant & you could end up with either of these two.
First, why are plant common names confusing?
Plant common names can really get us confused. For instance, it’s hard enough to navigate my way through the world of various pronunciations for words like Clematis or Heuchera or Astilbe or Cotoneaster. That’s because different people pronounce them different ways. And that’s okay!
But when you don’t know a plant’s botanical name and tell me: “I think it’s called a panda plant.” I know I’m in trouble. That’s because there might be many plant with panda in their name. But I can play Q&A with you we find enough common ground to help me figure out the plant botanical name. And then I can help you with your question about your panda plant. Still, it isn’t uncommon for me to end up saying, “Take a picture of it and send it to me next time you see this panda. Once I see it, I’ll probably be able to help you figure out the scientific name for this plant.”
How are plant scientific names made up?
Plant common names are just that: common. However, common names may be partially derived from the plant botanical names. And these scientific plant names were made up by Carl Linneaus and his cohorts and successors.
But, many common names are regionally made up descriptors. Therefore, they may be completely unknown in other languages or other areas. However, plant scientific names (aka plant botanical names) are universal! So while it may seem easier to remember a common name rather than a scientific name, that “easy” name may not get you very far when you try to find the plant later.
If you want a pink flowering ornamental strawberry, know the full name. This is likely Fragaria chiloensis ‘Lipstick’. For a paler pink, ask for Fragaria chiloensis ‘Pink Panda’
What do scientific plant names mean?
Botanical plant names, or scientific plant names, are ones that define a plant around the world. In fact, these are the names that matter if you really want that very specific and very special panda for your own garden.
That means you want to know the full name of any plant. Just knowing part of the name leads to confusion in the plant world.
How do I understand plant botanical names?
Botanical names, for the most part, are made up of at least two words. And these words appear in a specific order. First is the plant Genus. And second is the plant species.
And a plant may or may not have additional parts to their scientific plant name. Plus, if they do, how the additional information is written gives us more specific information about the plant. So for instance…
Genus species may be followed by a third word, like, say Panda! And that third word may appear inside single quotation marks or without those marks.
If this word appears inside single quotes, the plant is a cultivated variety, aka “cultivar”. This part of the plant botanical names tell us that this plant has been developed to always express specific qualities. But they aren’t genetically engineered necessarily.
On the other hand, if you encounter a plant botanical names with three words, take note of the punctuation! If none of the words is in quotes, the plant is a naturally occurring variety. And that means if this plant has a special feature like blue foliage, it may outgrow that variation. That means it may be riskier to buy a naturally occurring blue plant variety rather than a blue cultivated variety cultivar.
So, those are the basics of understanding most botanical plant names. However, there are more ways these naming conventions can differ. And if you’d like to learn more, sign up for the Garden Mentors Gardening Academy now!
Can plants have more than one scientific name?
So it is technically possible for plants to have more than one scientific name. That’s because sometimes plants are reclassified. And when that happens, their plant botanical names may change. So while the new, changed name is technically now the plant’s botanical name, it is possible that the plant may continue to be referred to by its older botanical names. Change can take a lot of time in the plant world.
Photo explanation of plant botanical names might help…
If you’re still confused about this whole plant botanical names thing, these photos might help.
Let’s take a look at two very different panda plants by name and photographically:
This “panda plant” is Kalanchoe tomentosa ‘Ling Ling’. It is a fuzzy succulent that thrives in full sun, well-drained/drier soil & it will not survive outside in a cold winter.
This “panda plant” is Asarum maximum ‘Ling Ling’. This slow-spreading ground cover with shiny leaves thrives in moist shade & is hardy to 0F.
While each of these plants carry the cultivar name ‘Ling Ling’, they couldn’t be more different. Both just somehow reminded someone of the famous giant panda Ling Ling.
So, while learning the entire name of every plant may not be necessary, it really does help to embrace scientific plant naming conventions if you really want to get (say) a panda plant for your SoCal drought garden or a summer blooming Hydrangea snowball bush instead of a spring blooming Viburnum snowball bush or a blue spruce that actually stays blue after you take it out of the pot.
In conclusion, it might be easy to call your plant Panda. But, if you want to be sure you get the right plant for the right place, knowing plant botanical names will help ensure you do!
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