Latin names are used for naming many aspects in nature, such as plants and animals, and of course ourselves. Our latin name is Homo sapiens. As gardeners, we can use the latin system of naming things from nature to our advantage, communicating about plants across the world in one basic language.
Each plant species has a Latin name. But each plant species can have many common names. Take the example of the common Pansy bedding plant. The latin name for them is Viola wittrockiana. On the other hand, they have many common names, from pansy, violet, heartsease, and more, not to mention the common names used in other parts of the world, often in that country's language. Now imagine trying to communicate that you want that particular plant with that person from afar. It can become very confusing.
This is the main reason for using Latin. EASE OF COMMUNICATION.
To read more about the Latin names used by gardeners and horticulturusts worldwide, check out Understanding Botanical Plant Names.
The above site will explain the difference between the genus and the species. Species names are the second part of the latin name, and they are often quite descriptive. Botanical Epithets explains what the second part of the botanical names mean, in glossary format.
Latin can also be a source of humour, although it is highly doubtful if the scientists who troubled with the following examples thought that their naming plights were all that funny.
Botanical Bloopers
Scientific names are often descriptive and full of information. The whole system of rules for naming plants is set up for only one purpose: identification. The rules give the scientists who publish the first description of the plants free rein to call them anything they want. As with many things, knowledge changes over time, and often the original names can't be changed to correct misinformation. Even worse, the changes that are required often make things worse. Here are just a few examples...
Eriogonum inflatum was named for its inflated stem. Then a subspecies was discovered without an inflated stem. The species name couldn't be changed, so the new subspecies became Eriogonum inflatum deflatum.
The scientist who described Jojoba mistakenly thought it had been collected in China, so he gave it the name Buxus chinensis. The generic name was later changed to Simmondsia. The species name remains the same, even though it only grows in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.
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