Thanks for information. I understand now.
It illustrates the problems (and often confusion) caused by common names which
are applieddifferently in different regions of a country or parts of the world.
My understanding of 'Rhododendron' is a plant belonging to a genus within the
Ericaceae family.Whereas 'Melastoma' belongs to the Melastomataceae family -
which are not similar, so as a botanistthis common name seems incorrect to me.
In the UK, the common name "bluebells" is used in England for a completely
different plant, belonging toa totally different family compared to its use in
Scotland.
I recently read the paragraph in 'Supplement to Flowers of the Himalaya' by
Stainton about the use of Latinnames despite the indisputable fact that it is
the only universally valid (and accepted) way of referring toa plant.
I fully endorse this as I can communicate with botanists is Japan, Russia,
Norway or wherever who have minimalEnglish using Latin names.
Anyhow, the main point is that Stainton stated that when describing Himalayan
flora English names can be appliedonly where the species also occurs in Britain
or where it is so well-known as to have acquired an English name eventhough it
does not grow there.
After publication of 'Flowers of the Himalaya' some regrets were expressed that
no vernacular nameshad been included. The difficulty being that more than one
language is involved, not only Hindi and Nepali, but also the various Tibetan
dialects, the Nepali caste languages, Kashmiri and doubtless other variants as
well. And even among speakers of the same language the name used for a plant
may well differ from one area to another. To have included vernacular names in
the text would therefore have been a task to tax the skills of a trained
philologist!
Definitely, the inclusion of as many local names in addition to the Latin names
(which are troubling enough with so many changes)is valuable and informative
for efloraofIndia, hopefully helping to engage with more people.
I regularly lecture about my travels in the Himalaya (telling them it is
Himalaya and not Himalayas) to clubs and societies interested in garden plants.
Many struggle with Latin names so I used common names as well when they exist
but it is essential to use the Latin ones.
Best Wishes,
Chris Chadwell
81 Parlaunt Road
SLOUGH
SL3 8BE
UK
www.shpa.org.uk
From: Shobha Halwe-Chavda <[email protected]>
To: efloraofindia <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, 2 November 2016, 8:42
Subject: Re: [efloraofindia:255328] Re: Flower for Id -ID27102016SH2
Mr.Chris,
It's the same thread in discussion- the pink flower "copy of Meghalaya 188'
posted.I read on Google that Melastoma melabathricum is also known as Indian
Rhododendron hence asked the question.
Regards,
Shobha
On Wednesday, 2 November 2016 07:02:11 UTC+5:30, [email protected]
wrote:
Sorry, I am confused. Which plant/images are you asking about?
Best Wishes,
Chris Chadwell
81 Parlaunt Road
SLOUGH
SL3 8BE
UK
www.shpa.org.uk
From: Shobha Halwe-Chavda <[email protected]>
To: efloraofindia <indian...@googlegroups. com>
Sent: Tuesday, 1 November 2016, 13:38
Subject: [efloraofindia:255328] Re: Flower for Id -ID27102016SH2
Thanks, Chadwell ji and Lalithamba.Is this also a Rhododendron variety
?Regards,Shobha
On Thursday, 27 October 2016 16:11:32 UTC+5:30, Shobha Halwe-Chavda wrote:
Dear Friends,
Flower for Id pl.
Location - Cherrapunji
Date - 16.10.2016
Regards,
Shobha Chavda
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