What’s in a botanical name? Quite a lot
I enjoyed your article on plant adaptations; it got me thinking about something I recently discovered when looking for a plant called mock orange. There were two — Pittosporum tobira, known as Japanese mock orange, and Philadelphus lewisii, wild mock orange.
Why are they both listed as mock orange but are completely different plants and have different adaptations based on what I read about them? Can you tell me why they have same name? E. Hampshire
Every plant has a story to tell. One of my favorite things about plants is learning what the Latin names mean and their history and lore because it helps me build a palette of plants that belong where I live and have meaning.
The botanical name gives clues to where the plant may have originated, who discovered it, and indicates adaptations the plant might have, which is very useful information when designing a garden. Common names, however, are easier to remember, although, as you discovered, they can refer to different plants.
In the case of the two plants you mentioned, Pittosporum tobira and Philadelphus lewisii, each has flowers that are reminiscent of orange blossoms, hence the common name mock orange, meaning not a true orange. That’s why there is value in calling plants by their proper names.
Organization of plant names began with Carl Linnaeus, a naturalist who lived from 1700 to 1778. He is known as the father of taxonomy because he developed a system called binomial nomenclature, which began the process of naming and organizing species of plants and animals according to common traits. Latin was the chosen language for botanical terminology because at that time it was considered a universal language.
Botanical names consist of the genus, which is the first name and is usually a noun. The second name is the species, also known as specific epithet, which describes the noun. Think of it as identifying the genus, then describing different characteristics of each species.
The species name also often indicates adaptations of the plant. Some examples are baccatum, which means berrylike; annuum, which means annual; frutescens, meaning shrubby; and fascicularis, meaning clustered.
In the case of our native milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis, the tiny pink flowers are clustered at the top of the stem.
Pubescens or tomentosa means covered in hair, such as in the Achillea tomentosa. This drought-tolerant adaptation provides a wind break on the leaves, reducing air flow and protecting the plant from rapid water evaporation.
Glaucous is derived from the Latin glaucus, meaning bluish-gray or green. It describes the pale gray or bluish-green appearance of the surfaces of some plants. You will find this adaptation in succulents that are waxy and have a gray-blue color that reflects light and reduces evaporation.
The name Pittosporum comes from the Greek words “pitta,” meaning pitch, and “spora,” which means seed, and was so named because many of these plants have sticky seeds.
Sometimes plants are named after the botanist who found them. Philadelphus lewisii, for example, was named after Meriwether Lewis.
Two books that I use for reference include “Royal Horticultural Society, Latin for Gardeners: Over 3,000 Plant Names Explained and Explored” (Mitchell Beazley publisher, available on the secondary market) by Lorraine Harrison and “Botanical Latin” (Timber Press, $29.95) by William S. Stearn.
“Controlling” is too kind. What you’ve described is elder abuse. Busy as your life is — and we sympathize — you need to make time to rescue your parents. If you don’t feel comfortable confronting your brother yourself, or if you doubt it would do any good, contact Adult Protective Services. They may be able to investigate the situation. And if nothing else, they’ll be able to suggest ways to help you remove your parents from your brother’s domination (this type of abuse is not uncommon).
Consider speaking to an experienced elder-law attorney as well. In addition to dealing with the will issue, he or she should be able to help you find good caregivers for your parents. Plus a lawyer can tell you what to do should your brother try to reclaim control of your parents’ lives.
Finally: However busy you are, try to act sooner rather than later. Your parents are emotionally frail; your brother is a bully; and as things stand, the situation can only get worse.
DEAR JEANNE AND LEONARD: When my teenage baby sitter said she wanted more work, I posted a glowing recommendation for her on our neighborhood’s electronic bulletin board. The problem is, she’s now so busy that she almost never has time to baby-sit for me. Since I’m the person who got her so much business, shouldn’t she make the time?
M.T. DEAR LETTER WRITER: Well, to paraphrase Lear, how sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to help a thankless adolescent.
Of course your baby sitter should put you first. And you shouldn’t hesitate to point that out to her — nicely, of course. In baby-sitting, as in life, loyalty is a two-way street.