Journal Number 96
August 2005

EDITORIAL

Common Names
By Ian St George

I have grizzled about the use of common or colloquial names for orchids elsewhere, taking the position that most of our so-called common names are uncommonly used, that you can't have a common name for a rare orchid, and that the same name is used for many different orchids in different countries.

I have heard no arguments yet that would change my mind, though the current instability of scientific names has tempted me. I suppose "tutukiwi" for Pterostylis banksii is specific enough, and along with "Easter orchid" for Earina autumnalis is common enough to be acceptable, but the other so-called common names aren't, and at best should be used only for the genus, not the species.

Examples might be Acianthus heart-leaf orchid; Bulbophyllum bulb-leaf orchid; Calochilus bearded orchid; Nematoceras spider orchid, silverback; Microtis onion orchid; Orthoceras horned orchid; Prasophyllum leek orchid; Pterostylis greenhood; Spiranthes ladies tresses; Thelymitra sun orchid; Winika bamboo orchid.

Even so, look up "spider orchid" on Google and you will find, for instance at http://www.canadianorchidcongress.ca/eng-h-s.html, that species of Arachnanthe, Arachnis, Bartholina, Bonatea, Brassia, Corybas, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Holothrix, Maxillaria, Thelymitra, Ophrys and Caladenia are all called spider orchid. When you have traversed all the possibilities for "spider orchid" try "jewel orchid" or "Lady's slipper" or "Easter orchid".
Even "leek orchid" is used for Cymbidium as well as Prasophyllum elsewhere.

Jeff Jeanes wrote about this in the ANOS (Victorian Group) Bulletin 2005: 37 (11): 9, and I will quote him at length:

"(Binomial scientific) names are important as each is unique to a particular taxon and there should be no confusion about the application of the name. On the other hand common names can he very confusing, such as ... the term 'Rock Lily' referring to an orchid (Dendrobium speciosum or if you prefer Thelychiton speciosus). Other ludicrous examples that come to mind are 'Mondo Grass' (Ophiopogon species) which are species of lily and 'Button Grass' (Gyrnnoschoenus sphaerocephalus) which is a sedge. Then we get other problems such as where the common name `Tongue Orchid' in Victoria refers to species of Cryptostylis, but in New South Wales the term refers to Dockrillia linguiformis. The term 'Leopard Orchid' refers to Thelymitra benthamiana in Western Australia, but refers to Diuris pardina in eastern Australia. The term `Tiger Orchid' refers to Thelymitra tigrina in Western Australia, but refers to Diuris sulphurea in eastern Australia. The `Bird Orchids' of Western Australia belong to the genus Pterostylis (or Plumatichilos if you prefer), whereas in the eastern States they belong to the genus Chiloglottis. In Western Australia the term 'Mignonette Orchid' refers to members of the genus Microtis, but in the eastern States members of this genus are generally called `Onion Orchids'. These are just a few examples of the confusing nature of common names within Australia. If you operate on an international level it becomes even worse.

For this reason I tend not to use, or to go out of my way to learn, common names. But, I hear you complain, scientific names are so unfamiliar and difficult to pronounce. And I say, just look at the phone book if you want to see unfamiliar and difficult names. In our multicultural society chances are you will need to learn lots of names that are foreign to you and you have a responsibility to do so in order to show respect for the other person and their culture. Similarly, to be able to communicate effectively with other orchid enthusiasts, both in Australia and overseas, it is necessary to come to terms with the unambiguous Latin names that reflect the rich history and traditions of plant nomenclature. I know plenty of lay people, both within and outside A.N.O.S., that are perfectly happy to use the scientific binomials because they have made a little effort to learn to do so. These people understand the many advantages of using this system and most would prefer it to the use of common names.

Far from being elitist, using the scientific binomials is honouring a rich and colourful history of plant nomenclature that is open to all people. "In my book review... I was indeed critical of some of the contrived and ludicrous common names used in the book Orchids of South-West Australia by Noel Hoffrnan and Andrew Brown. I'm not sure who coined these names, but I now have more understanding of why they were used. Since that time I (along with Gary Backhouse) have authored a similar type of book and have experienced the pressure exerted by publishers to include common names. It is such a serious issue with these people that it is very possible to have a manuscript rejected on this point alone. The other pressure for the usage of common names conies when dealing with government departments. It is difficult, if not impossible, to get threatened species (plants or animals) listed unless a common name is provided. This is an unfortunate situation but not surprising when you think of how many politicians come from a background in the biological sciences, which would have made them familiar with the long-held nomenclatural conventions explained above."
 

So our use of common names is demanded by journalists and politicians. The least trusted professions in New Zealand are journalists, trade unionists, marketers and car salesmen, followed by politicians in last place. Why would we want to do what they suggest?