"Nick Maclaren" wrote
snip
Vinca minor 'Dartington star" is actually a variant of Vinca major
(oxyloba).

The first name for it is just plain wrong. No ifs or buts. Not
even using an ad hoc species name for a cross with another name.

Anna Pavord has a recent book out on the history of plant classification.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...832130,00.html

--
Sue

The message
from "Sue" contains these words:

Anna Pavord has a recent book out on the history of plant classification.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...832130,00.html

Haven't seen it, but an advert leaflet fell out of yesterday's paper
with it on special offer. Anna Pavord's book is called, The Naming of
Names, rrp £30, special offer £9.99 (spend £25 and get a free RHS diary)
from

The Book People 0870 6077740 www.thebookpeople.co.uk

Janet

Sue wrote:

Anna Pavord has a recent book out on the history of plant classification.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...832130,00.html

The Independent magazine was doing a special on her book two weeks ago.
I half read 'The Tulip' from her a few years back and find her very
difficult to read. The above book is quite amazing however, but still
her style of writing is a bit annoying. What has fascinated me in that
article was the insight into artists of the time when plant names were
loosing their original names from being shifted country to country. In
this article it explained the paintings of Botticelli's and that the
famous flowers he painted weren't just ciphers but were central to a
new beginning in plant naming.

I think I'll get this book ... )