Now that Niggerhead, Nigger Hill and Nigger Stream are under consideration for replacement can we have a new common name for Carex tenuiculmis, which is still listed as "Slender Niggerhead" ? Squat Red sedge? Swamp wine sedge?
Well you know what I think about vernaculars - I prefer Carex tenuiculmis. But if you have to then 'slender wine sedge' may sound better - because of the epithet though this species is not always wine-coloured either.
Swamp wine sedge would be my choice, if using one - its more reflective overall of the plant
Thanks for your comments. I like common names, especially when a good number of much-loved botanical names are changing at present (I am grieving the loss of Uncinia). I have found some people cannot 'hear" latinised names. Put "wine" in a name and they'll remember it (ditto "nigger"!).
Yes, there is a case both for and against their use. To me it depends on the audience I am communicating with, and people without exposure to latinised names do find them very hard to remember. RIP Uncinia, we miss you ...
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