Plant Names

Wonderful world of plant names

When you look at a plant tag you may notice plants have a lot of names from common names to botanical names honestly the world of plants can be a little confusing.

Common names can be the most simple but also the most unreliable. The most reliable are botanical names and knowing little Latin helps.

Angustifolia = narrow leaves (Zinnia angustifolia)
Longiflorum = with long flowers, (Lilium longiflorum)
Minor = smaller (Vinca minor)
Major = larger or greater (Vinca major)
Grandiflora = Large flowered (Rosa Grandiflora)
Ruber = red (Centranthus ruber)
Tomentosa = hairy ( Certasium tomentosa)
Albus = white (Stachys albotomentosa)
Coccinea = scarlet (Stachys coccinea)
Officianalis = Medicinal (Salvia officianalis)
Purpurescens = Purple (Salvia officianalis purpurescens)
Peruviana = from Peru (Zinnia peruviana)
Pacificum = of the Pacific (Chrysanthemum pacificum)
Sinensis = of China (Wisteria sinensis)
Californica = from California (Zauchneria Californica)
Sonomensis = from the Sonoma area (Salvia sonomensis)

While Botantical names are reliable common names are a little more fun:

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) the name results from the fact that the flowers will remain in place after being moved. Wishbone plant (a.k.a. Torenia Fournieri). The stamen inside the flower literally look like a miniature wishbone. Bachelor Button (Centaurea cyanus) common name is found in its use long ago as a boutanniere worn by single country men in search for a mate. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) gets its name because it blooms in the evening. Whereas Sundrops (Calylophus serrulatus ) open during the day. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) also known as white flag earns its common name from its bloom resembling a white flag (stamen is the flag pole) aka a symbol of peace in battle and one other Sensitive plant gets its name from the fact the foliage of this plant fold up when touched. What’s in a plant name?? Well at least now you know some stories tell!!

Frank Ferragine

Frankie Fab Five Outdoor Games:

Ladder Golf $69.95 www.lynxleisure.com no clubs needed Each player has 3 golf ball bolas. A bola is 2 real golf balls attached by a nylon rope. The object of the game is to wrap your bolas around the steps of the ladder. Each step has a difference value. Throw all three bolas and add up your score. Highest score wins!
Giant Snakes & Ladders $56.95 www.lynxleisure.com the interactive outdoor game where you move up the ladders and down the snakes This set contains a giant playing mat 3m (10ft) square, 8 pegs and a giant inflatable die. One of our all time best
Giant Pick up Sticks $56.99 www.rittenhouse.ca With a long and rich history, Giant Pick Up Sticks are a traditional game that has migrated from the kitchen table to the lawn and beyond.
Bocce Ball $40 to $100 for complete sets a traditional outdoor game with roots in Italy but has created hours of fun around the world.
High Tower $249.99 www.hotelfun4kids A game of skill and cunning.  Build the tower, then take it in turns to remove a piece and add it to the top without making the whole tower tumble.  With 58 solid wooden blocks, Hi-Tower builds from approx. 0.9m (3ft 6ins) at the start of the game to 1.5m (5ft) max in play.