I've missed many posts on this topic for some reason, but I remember hearing on
a TV programme very many years ago that K's were pronounced at the beginning of
words such as knife, knowledge, etc. up till the 17 or 1800's. Languages
change and vary from region to region, even within the same country. A French
teacher of mine once told me how she (English) had to translate so that two
French teachers could communicate because their regional accents made it
impossible for them to understand each other.

With regard to Latin and Greek names, it has to be remembered that Latin in the
form used for scientific names and terms is pronounced differently the world
over. It is a 'dead' language with no definitive root that can be refered to.
Latin and Greek used by us in the naming of plants is not the same as the
Italian and Greek spoken today.

I think it's worth thinking of Latin/Greek as being like French, when spoken by
a range of nationalities serving in the French Foreign Legion. No doubt Latin
was no different, with a tremendous range of pronounciations for each word
within the language, all depending on where each person came from within (or
indeed without) the Roman empire.

Of course, that doesn't touch on cultivars, which are pronounced depending on
the nationality of the person they are named after, and are usually
mis-pronounced.

Alas, a true can of worms I fear.

Dave.