Indian bean tree is not from India and does not produce beans
others, all in different plant families and none of them a grass. Danish scurvy-grass is neither a grass nor Danish. In a similar vein, the Indian bean tree is neither a bean nor Indian. Butcher’s broom is a great name, but couldn’t be less related to broom. Christmas rose may flower at Christmas if you’re lucky, but it’s not a rose, and nor is flowering rush a rush. Arguably Britain’s rarest plant, the sand crocus, would be looking for a new name on account of not being a crocus.
As for Boston ivy, well, what can I say? Unrelated to ivy, and from China, so no connection to Boston either. I don’t really need to spill the beans on German ivy, do I? No, I didn’t think so. “Ground” is a popular adjective, but ground elder is unrelated to elder, nor ground ivy to ivy or ground cherry to cherry, and ground pine isn’t even a conifer. And hemp nettles aren’t related to hemp or nettles.
When did you last see a shepherd with a purse resembling the fruits of shepherd’s purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris? Come to that, when did you last see a shepherd? African marigolds are from Mexico, as are French marigolds, and both Jersey and Guernsey lilies are from South Africa. At least Peruvian lilies are from Chile, which is close.
I could go on, I really could, but I’m sure you get the idea. The lesson, for gardeners and users of plant names in general, is to leave well alone. If a plant has a well-known common name, by all means use it, but don’t even think about whether it’s “right” or not.
Ken Thompson is a plant biologist with a keen interest in gardening. His most recent book is