The Master Gardener Articles

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Understand How a Horticulturalist Speaks

As we prepare for spring, we are often confronted with Latin names. Latin names are important because there is only one Latin name for each plant. In contrast, there may be many common names so it is difficult to communicate with your neighbors when they are not sure which plant you are talking about. For example, ARGYRANTHEMUM (ar-ji-Raw-the-mum) frutescens is also called Boston Daisy, Cape Daisy, Moon Daisy, Ox-eyed Daisy, Paris Daisy, and Marguerite Daisy.

So, if you are using a common name, which one do you pick? Also, some plants have the same common name, which makes identification even more difficult. You may also have heard the word cultivar used in the garden center. This is a shorten form of cultivated variety which is used interchangeable with variety. A variety name is enclosed in single quote marks (‘Vanilla Butterfly’) and double quotes are used for the common names (“Boston Daisy”). The Genus or plant group is always written in capital letters, or with italic type, while the species is written in lower case (i.e. ARGYRANTHEMUM frutescens).

What’s in a name? A lot of you understand how horticulturalist speaks. For more information on this subject contact George McVey, Extension Program Assistant, Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator at 937.644.8117 or by e-mail at gmcvey@ag.osu.edu.