Hi folks. It's been a while since I posted. I moved to Portland, OR. Nice place. Does anyone have experience with the Latin names of plants? I want to learn this overwhelming complicated subject. How should I start? Any elementary books that would help? What helped you? How long did it take? I know zip about families, genus and such. I would be starting form the very begining. Any help would help.
Thanks,
Bada

Bada!!!

First and foremost......"Glad to hear from you again, bada!" (Uh, did the stink box make it out to Portland also?)

When I first started gardening, I only learned the latin name of my plants as I acquired them. But, when I began searching for specific plants to include in my scheme, I'd try to learn the latin name genus, species...the whole bag, to ensure that I was getting exactly the plant I wanted. (Color, growth habit, etc.) As long as the plant's labeled correctly, and/or your dealing with a realiable source, then you're pretty safe. I dare say, I've forgotten half of them by now, specially if they've been residing in my garden for years. Various reference books I have and on-line sources come in mighty handy when I need that quick i.d.

Okay...you asked for it!
(1) A brief decription of the binomial system and old "Chuck" Linaeus, the guy responsible for inventing it back in the 1700's. It's an easy read that'll help anyone understand the plant classification hierarchy: Class, species, family....etc.
http://www.mydeergarden.com/Other_Info/latin.htm

(2) This one is a great plant structure glossary (with line drawings).
hhttp://www.shout.net/~jhilty/filesx/line_drawingx.htm

(3) Another glossary, but of botanical terms.
http://www.frostsgroup.com/glossary.htm

(4) Finally, probably one of the best (if not the best, that I know of anyway) on line plant encyclopedias. Once you get the hang of navigating it, it'll open up doors on all manner of plants, and their gazillion variations. You can type in the common name and get not only the latin, but all the varieties and more!
http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/
(Also, within this site is this page that gives another breakdown of binomial or botanical coding:
http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/help.html

As far as books, I do like the Taylor's guides and the American Horticultural Society's (Silver Edition) Encyclopedia.

Hope some of this helps and I'm sure others will have even more suggestions.

gardenz

Bada, WELCOME BACK

GARDENZ !!!! WHAT DON"T YOU KNOW OR KNOW WHERE TO GET?? I am always amazed..

Oh Great Gardenz, I am not worthy... I am not worthy... I am not worthy..

Ok thats enough

TN....not to sidetrack bada's original request.....

"Buuuuuuuuuuut....de vays uff de gardenz iss but only known to de vearer uff de Ring."

Er....that'd be the wearer of the wedding ring. Better known as my husband!
So far, he's the only one that's broken the code...and lived! :O

You flatter me, TN, and I thank you. I just enjoy the thrill of the hunt (and learning a little something in the process). So much information [to learn]....so little time.

(Now, get back there behind that velvet rope!)

gardenz

I have to agree with the Plantman Gardenz, not only are you better than a refrence librarian, you are a sweetheart to boot! Thanks for the warm welcome back. I will be useing those links well, I hope. I don't have a yard any more since we sold our house and moved out here. I thought I'd use the time out of my garden, but reading my butt off and hiking.
Many thanks
-Sara Bada

Hi, bada!

I started out, like gardenz, with just learning the plants that I grew in my garden.

I read LOTS of books - some of my favorites are The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch and The Perennial Garden by Jeff Cox.

After I practically memorized those two books, I started subscribing to OG and lots of other gardening magazines. I bought every gardening book that I could afford and read every gardening book in the public library.

But... you know what? It still wasn't enough!

So, at age 39, I enrolled in an Ornamental Horticulture Program at a Community College and got a part time job in a greenhouse.

It took me 5 years to get my associates degree - but I'll tell you what - I learned more latin names than I wanted to!

Lots of them remain in my memory, but sometimes I have to look up the spelling. I think I was a little obsessed with plants, but I'm much calmer now!

The links that gardenz posted are great. I'm still fairly uncomfortable with computers, so I tend to use books. A friend who used to work at a book binder got me an imperfect copy of Hortus Third - for free!
I use that quite a bit. For woody plants I use Dirr's Manual.

If you read enough, and pay attention to the plant tags when you buy plants, you'll pick it up in no time.

Happy learning - just be careful - it's addictive!

One of the reasons why latin names are so difficult is that the species names are typically named after the person who discovered the thing. Imagine taking a common name like Lewis and turning it into a Latinish name. Lewisii is I think what happens to it. Well, that's how plants get named. I have a brother in law who has "discovered" a few new species of underwater things, and his name has now been latinized too.

Now all you need is a basic pronunciation guide and you'll be a pro...

My school library tossed a great book which I caught: "How Plants Get Their Names" by L.H. Bailey, Dover Publications, 1963. It is a republication of a 1933 Macmillan publication. In the back it has a list of specific and trivial Latin names with their botanic application. If you learn what the Latin means, then many botanical names make sense. For example, acerifolius- maple leaved; nanus- dwarf; laetus- bright, vivid; lacteus- milk white; cordatus- heart shaped. I am planning a lesson with my horticulture class where they use the Latin to make up and draw plants. After putting each groups pictures together, they will see how many they can match to the Latin names. These high school kids love creative stuff so they should have fun making a game.