Common Name

A general, non-scientific, name for a plant, animal or other organism. For preciseness and the avoidance of doubt when talking about organisms, especially in formal discussions, it is advisable to use the scientific name. When general discussion or comment is being made and where common names are fairly universal, which is typical of those in turf culture, then it's usual to refer to an organism by its common name. Clarification should still be sought where there is possible confusion, for example, Ryegrass could mean either the common perennial ryegrass, or the annual Italian ryegrass, as both have turfgrass cultivars.

Many people know plants by their common name. However, when plants are being talked about between people from different parts of a country or especially between countries then if a common name is used this can easily lead to confusion. This is because common names may be common just to a locality, region, or country and are not generally universally known and can be ambiguous. There is just one unique scientific (Latin) name for a plant - this cannot therefore be confused with another.

If for example, someone spoke about the Twitch plant, another person might not know what they were trying to describe. This plant also has other common names: squitch, wickens, stroggle (still any the wiser?); grandmother grass, quick, scotch, quack grass (any more luck?).

If however, the Latin name of Elymus repens (formerly Agropyron repens) was used then both parties would know what it is and also that it has at least one other common name of Common Couch, or just Couch, grass.