common and scientific names

[Joseph E. Laferriere]

Many of the "common names" you see in popular literature (e.g. Audubon
Field Guides) are merely translations of the scientific names. For
example, Clarkia nuttallii becomes "Nuttall's clarkia."  I have been told
by people working with endangered species that they are advised to make up
common names where none exist. People often resist scientific names, so
publishing a scientific name in the newspaper will fail to elicit as much
public sympathy as would a good common name the average person can relate
to.