What's That Again?

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  – A rose by any other name … yes, it’s still a rose. But what do a plant’s various names mean? Why does each plant have so many names? And which one is the best to use?

This month’s selection of frequently asked questions should help answer those questions:

Q. Why do plant tags list a common name, then another impossible-to-pronounce name in italics?

A. Believe it or not – to avoid confusion – common names, such as hydrangea or magnolia, are fine when pointing out a plant or tree to your neighbor. But if you want to purchase a climbing hydrangea with a white bloom, you had better know the scientific name: Hydrangeaceae petiolaris. And if you want a deciduous magnolia that soars to 50 feet, look for Magnoliaceae dawsoniana – not Magnoliaceae delavayi, which is an evergreen that only reaches 30-feet high.

Scientific names are specific and often identify a distinguishing characteristic of a plant. Listed in italics, scientific names incorporate Latin terms that may tell you about the origin of a plant, the color of its flowers or the shape of its leaves. A reputable nursery should be staffed with experts who can translate your common-name requirements into a specific plant name.

Q. Exactly what is an epiphyte?

A. It’s probably easier to explain what an epiphyte is not – it is NOT a plant that grows in the ground. Plants that grow in the ground are termed terrestrial, while those that append from other plants are epiphytes. Many varieties do not draw nutrients from the plants they reside on; they draw nourishment from the air, rain and, in the case of bromeliads, from the debris that collects in the “cup” formed by their leaves. Parasites rely on their hosts for nutritional support.

Q. What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?

A. This is a question that stumps most people. Everybody knows an apple is a fruit. But what makes it a fruit? Plants, as we know, flaunt their sexual natures to ensure propagation. (Why do you think flowers have a sweet smell and are brightly colored? To attract the birds and the bees.) Once propagation occurs, fruit results. And that fruit is the ovary that protects the seed. A nut is a fruit also, although we don’t eat the “ovary” portion because it is a hard shell. Having said that, many experts have decided that there is no real botanical distinction between fruits and vegetables. Rather, they simply define a vegetable as the edible part of a plant.

Q. I read something about selecting a “woody” plant. What does that mean?

A. A woody plant has a hard (woody) stem. An herbaceous plant has a soft stem. According to the Sunset Western Garden Book, herbaceous plants will “die to the ground each year and re-grow the following growing season.”

Q. The plant tag says my new plant is hardy. What does that mean?

A. Hopefully the tag says your plant is hardy to a certain temperature. Hardiness indicates the plant’s ability to withstand cold temperatures. So a plant that is hardy to 32 degrees (Fahrenheit) should survive the cold, as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing.

This feature is provided by Miramar Wholesale Nurseries, Southern California's leading supplier of landscape plant material and supplies. MWN grows a wide variety of perennials, shrubs and distinctive trees at each of its three locations to supply landscape professionals and nurseries in the region and around the country with high-quality plant materials. MWN is a member of TruGreen LandCare, a ServiceMaster company.