What does this phrase mean?

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Lavanda Mcallen, TX(Zone 8a) Apr 03, 2003

" Mother of Thousands, Mexican Hat Plant is currently ranked Number 1 by our members "

Is it because there have been more positive comments on it than any other plant, or what?

Please splain.


Thanks, Lav

Post #503389
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dave Apr 03, 2003

Yes, that's right. It has the most positives than anyone else.

Post #503428
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Aimee Georgetown, TX(Zone 8a) Apr 04, 2003

Huh? Mother of Thousands has always been a succulent, one of the Kalanchoe group, to me. Mexican Hat Plant is one of the cone flowers, to me.

Splain?

Post #503917
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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Apr 04, 2003

Which once again underscores why common names might be common, but they sure aren't universal ;o) I don't know how "common" this particular common name is, but it's cited on at least one other source: http://www.bryophyllum.com/b/commonnames/

This example might lead some to wonder why we bother with common names at all. The very simple reason is that's how most people find the Plants Database. When I review the search strings (words or phrases) that users typed in and which led them to the PDB, more often than not they were searching for a plant by its vernacular name. Hopefully once they find what they're looking for, they also read the botanical name, and eventually that replaces the common name in their mind ;o)

If we eschewed common names altogether, I'd hazard a guess that the vast majority of people who find us every day would never discover the PDB.

Post #504043
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Lavanda Mcallen, TX(Zone 8a) Apr 04, 2003

I agree that both are valid. Most of the time one acquires an intreste in gardening when we learn the popular name for something, the Latin comes later. But once westart learning Latin, it opens up a whole new world. Makes thngs much more specific, explanatory, adn voila - you have started learning another language!

And just like a teacher told me in third grade, if you use a word three times in speech, it will become a natural part of
your vocabulary and enrich your and other lives.

Suddenly latin is no longer int he same category with liver, washing windows, taking out the trash, and doing your income tax in a year when you will have to pay.

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