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San Diego,Ca. - SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A rose by any other name… Yes, still a rose, but what do all those various plant names mean, why do they have so many, and which one is the best to use? This month’s frequently asked questions should help:



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 better know its scientific name: Hydrangeaceae petiolaris. And if you want a deciduous magnolia that soars to 50 feet, look for Magnoliaceae dawsoniana and 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 italic, scientific names incorporate Latin terms that may tell you about the color of the flowers, the shape of the leaves or indicate where the plant comes from. A reputable nursery should be staffed with experts who can translate your common-name requirements into a specific plant.



Q. Exactly what is an epiphyte?

A. It’s probably easier to explain what an epiphyte plant is not – it is a plant that does not grow in the ground. Plants that grow in the ground are termed terrestrial, while those that append from other plants are epiphytes. Many varieties of orchids and bromeliads are epiphytes. Don’t confuse an epiphyte with a parasite; epiphytes do not draw nutrients from the plant 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 the leaves. Parasites rely on their host for nutritional support.



Q. What’s the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?

A. This is one of those questions 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 smell sweet 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, and simply define vegetables 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. A herbaceous plant has a soft stem. Furthermore, according to the Sunset Western Garden Book, a herbaceous plant will “die to the ground each year and re-grow stems 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 a plant’s ability to withstand cold temperatures; so a plant hardy to 32 degrees F should survive the cold, as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing.



Miramar Wholesale Nurseries is Southern California’s leading supplier of landscape plant material and supplies. MWN grows a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, and trees at each of their three locations for projects in and around the region. Their fully stocked will-call facilities in San Diego, Irvine/Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano serve the needs of commercial properties, institutions, property managers, and commercial landscapers. MWN is a member of TruGreen LandCare, a ServiceMaster company. For additional tips on plant care, see your nursery professional or check out the Sunset Western Garden Book, available at all three MWN locations.

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