Common names vs. Latin names

Common names and Latin names have different benefits and drawbacks.

Common Names:

Benefits:

• Common names are usually easy to spell, pronounce and remember.
• Many people only know and use common names.

Drawbacks:

• A plant may have more than one common name.
• A common name may be used for more than one species.
• A common name of a plant may differ in different places.

Example: In Australia, "Flannel bush" refers to a species in the nightshade family (Solanaceae); in the USA "Flannel bush" refers to a species in the hibiscus family (Malvaceae).

Scientific or Latin Names:

Benefits:

• There is only one correct scientific name for a plant.
• The scientific name is the same name all over the world.
• The scientific name selection follows official rules.

Drawbacks:

• Scientific names can be (and often are) officially changed.
• The scientific name is often difficult to spell, pronounce and remember.

Example: Ten years ago, students in this class learned that the Latin name for California suncup (or...one of two species known as California suncup) was Cammisonia bistorta (Torr. & A. Gray) Raven. Due to taxonomic revisions, its accepted name is now Camissoniopsis bistorta (Torr. & A. Gray) W.L. Wagner & Hoch.