CAN you give a positive id on the flowering plant in the picture above?
Dandelion? Golden glow? Pot marigold? Cape-marigold? Merrigould? Winking-Mary-budde? Daffadowndilly? Wallflower? Tickseed? I don't think it's any of the above, but the old-timey and common names are so colorful! Seriously, can you tell what it is? Ordinary "common names" are fine, but I do think the *proper* Latin nomenclature might be better! Let me explain why.
Using the Latin names helps us keep on track. Now if all of this seems like a lot of trouble, you'll just have to blame the guy who started the whole thing -- Linnaeus.
We are not using that original system nowadays, but we do still rely on Latin. It's not as complicated as it sounds! Take a look at this very clear and reader-friendly "Understanding Plant Names". (Ed. Note 7/30/98 this link is no longer available; however, here is a more recent article on Binomial Nomenclature which includes a number of similar referrals.)
Once you become comfortable with the Latin names, you will find them helpful. For one thing, they are very specific so there is no confusion about which particular plant you mean. Sometimes, as when the name indicates a particular physical characteristic such as form or color or native habitat, the name alone can help you to select the most appropriate type of plant for a given site. This glossary of Latin roots will help you recognize and decipher the clues!
I do think we ALL blanche at the challenge of pronouncing the Latin names. Here are two good guides: the somewhat initimidating but very thorough Latin Pronunciation Guide and (my preferred choice) Dr.K's Guide to Latin
In case you're still trying to name the plant in the picture above, you might try this searchable plant database from Time-Life or this incredible Internet Guide to Botany.
I really enjoy the quaint common names for plants, and cottage gardeners seem to use some of the most colorful plant names! If you enjoy them, too, you might consider ordering up a copy of the February 1997 issue of The American Cottage Gardener, which includes a contest on matching American common names for cottage garden plants with their British counterparts. This list includes wonderful names like "Quaker Ladies" and "Cherry Pie"! (Even here, the Latin names are included for reference!)
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