Why is it better to use scientific rather than common names for plant identification?
Latin names of plants are unique – each plant has only one name – these names are internationally agreed. The binomial system groups species that are similar (and which are related – which gives us insight into the evolutionary origins of the plants) into the same genus. Common names are not unique – different people give the same name to different plants. Each plant may have different local names – the same plant is called different names in different places. For example, look at the answer to another question:- What is the scientific name for the dandelion weed? This gives you the bones of an answer. You will need to flesh it out with plenty of good examples.
