PHOEBE PHOLLOW UP

Back in August I reminisced about my grandmother Phoebe and her love of wildflowers. In that post, I suggested renaming Queen Anne's Lace to something more meaningful like "Grandmother's Lace".

Shortly after writing this post I decided I should put some ACTUAL ACTION behind the words. So I started with a google search, and ended up at a botanical garden and research center, where I posted the question below.

After reading some of the answers, I thought I'd give it a couple more weeks to see who would respond. And then, like everything else, I forgot about it as work, family life, the presidential election and holidays absorbed the remaining functional cells of my brain! 

("The advantage of a bad memory, is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time" -Friedrich Nietzsche)

So, five months later when I remembered I had a blog, I was also reminded of my lack of follow up. But, of course, by now I couldn't remember what the heck the name of the website was. This resulted in yet another search. I knew I would recognize the site when I saw the name in the search results, seemed so simple, right? Yeah...no. It is amazing what will come up, and how far down the list things can get buried if you don't use the same words IN the same order. After a couple dozen different combinations, I found it. The University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research.

I had 28 responses to my question, mostly from the same 4 or 5 people. As it turns out, even the experts don't agree. I found the comments interesting though, and even enjoyed the "digs" at each other. The recommendations varied from contacting state legislators and writing proposals (complete with credible evidence to substantiate the request) to lobbying naturalists, horticulturalists, authors and publishers.

My favorite part of the entire discussion was the disagreement on which country has "ownership" of the plant. Michael from Britain seemed a bit frustrated with everyone on "our side of the pond". I am sure I should also be insulted about the "least educated in society naming things" remark, but in fact he now inspires me to keep going. Thanks for the motivation Michael.

I thought I would share with you the dialog in the actual thread form. You can read those by clicking on the word ANSWERS below.

FYI, I am looking into the idea from Post#19 TOGATA57 from Columbus, Ohio. He had a good suggestion, an example of a precedent in Michigan, and very similar memories too.

So, stay tuned for more Phoebe Phlower Phollow up.

MY QUESTION: What is the process for renaming a wildflower? I am curious about who you contact or write to in order to petition for a name change of a wildflower? Has anyone ever heard what the process is? Or if it has ever been successfully done?

THE ANSWERS