After the story last week on Love Lies Bleeding I thought it was about time to do an article based on the common names of plants.
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Common names have been typically given to plants based on a certain category.
Sometimes it’s a myth or a legend that gives a plant its common name or it could be what the plant produces but more often than not it has something to do with the appearance of the plant.
Some common names are quite amusing, some are rude and some make perfect sense.
The dangerous thing about only using common names is that these names aren’t unique. One plant can have many common names and one common name may refer to more than one plant – this can be quite confusing.
For example, the common name Pig Weed could refer to Portulaca oleracea, Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album or a few other plants all with the same common name.
The common name Snow in Summer can refer to two plants – Cerastium tomentosum or Melaleuca linariifolia.
A couple of my favourites are Kiss Me Quick and Love in a Mist.
Kiss Me Quick is the common name for Centranthus ruber, an old-fashioned plant with bright pink flowers that used to be everywhere. Love in a Mist is Nigella damascena, an easy to grow annual plant mainly seen with blue flowers, this plant self-seeds readily.
Persicaria orientalis is commonly known as Kiss Me Over The Garden Gate – I have no idea how it got this common name.
A weed that’s all over the place at the moment is the sticky one – often known as Cleavers but sometimes called Sticky Willy.
Its botanical name is Galium aparine.
Mother-in-laws Tongue has become a popular plant to give to your mother-in-law.
Botanically named Sansevieria trifasciata this plant is also commonly called the Snake Plant, Bowstring Hemp and Devil’s Tongue.
In our region, this specimen makes a great houseplant. It does best with bright light but can handle low light levels and it does very well indoors.
Gardeners are a rare breed, we use the strangest names when discussing our plants – only in gardening circles could you admit to digging up some Naked Ladies without everyone rushing to dial 000.
Diary
AgVet Chemical Users Course is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling. Wodonga TAFE will be running this course on the 17th and 24th July (two-day course). Cost is $360. For more information ring 1300 MY TAFE (1300 69 8233) or info@wodongatafe.edu.au.
