Happy Birthday Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, was born 300 years ago today. Linnaeus' contributions include Binomial Nomenclature (Latin Names), the modern centigrade thermometer, growing bananas in Europe, and the idea of plants having sex.

• New York Times May 23, 2007 'The 300th Birthday of the Man Who Organized All of Nature' By JAMES BARRON

The benefit of being the father of modern taxonomy is that not only do you get to name plants after your family and friends, but you can name weeds after your critics.

For more on Carl Linnaeus and the meanings behind the Latin Names go to our article What’s in a Plant’s Name? or check out our Name Dictionary of some of the plants we grow.