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Why are plants in botanical gardens labeled with scientific names and places of origin?

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Maymyo: botanical gardens — Botanical garden Botanical gardens in Maymyo, Myanmar.

Botanical gardens label plants with scientific names and places of origin to fulfill their role as scientific and educational institutions, rather than merely decorative parks.12

Scientific Names

The use of scientific names, based on binomial nomenclature, provides a precise, universal language for identifying plants. Unlike common names, which can vary by region or language and may refer to different organisms, scientific names are consistent worldwide. This system, developed by Carolus Linnaeus, uses Latin or Latinized Greek to ensure that names remain stable and clear, allowing for accurate communication about a species' identity and its evolutionary relationships.3

Places of Origin

Labeling plants with their region of origin provides essential context for both researchers and the public. It helps illustrate the natural distribution of species and supports the garden's objective of maintaining collections that reflect taxonomic and geographic relationships. By providing this information, botanical gardens serve as important cultural and educational resources, helping visitors understand the natural world and the diverse environments from which these plants originate.142