Botanical names might look like a jumble of Latin, but they’re actually more useful (and less scary) than most people […] ...

Home and Garden In plants, scientific names unlock a world of detail Unlike common names, they’re also clear and precise — no sharing of names. Here’s more, from Norfolk Botanical Garden.

The plant gets its name, phlox, from the Greek word for fire or flame because its flower resembles a flame. The term divaricata is Latin for divergent due to the spreading habit of the plant.

Smith, Archibald William 1897-1962 Gardener's dictionary of plant names Notes "This is a revised edition of A Gardener's dictionary of plant names, revised and enlarged in 1972 by William T. Stearn ...

The stalks of the plant, or peduncles, can be up to 10 feet long and gracefully display the striking flowers while adding a delicate, airy texture with their smooth, lance-shaped leaves.

Advocates of the changes point out that species names and taxonomy rules are constantly in flux — this week’s meeting will consider hundreds of proposals to alter rules for plant names.