Simple Gardening

Your Plants Plain and Practical Directions for the Treatment of Tender and Hardy Plants in the House and in the Garden by James Sheehan

All species of plants belong to some particular genus, and bear a botanical, as well as a common name, by which they are distinguished. Those who have studied botany will know the exact botanical name of the plants in most collections. We sometimes see persons making themselves ridiculous by a pretended display of knowledge on matters of horticulture and botany, giving or pretending to give the botanical name of every plant one may happen to mention. The following anecdote will apply to such: Mr. Sidney Smith, the famous English writer, was once visiting the conservatory of a young lady who was proud of her plants and flowers, and used (not very accurately) a profusion of botanical names. “Madam,” he said, “have you the Psoriasis septennis?” “No,” she said, very innocently, “I had it last winter, and I gave it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and it came out beautifully in the spring.” Psoriasis septennis, is the medical name for the “Seven year Itch!”