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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Friday - August 21, 2015

From: Saranac Lake, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: General Botany
Title: What does the name montana mean in a species name?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What does the name montana mean in a species name?

ANSWER:

According to David Gledhill (The Names of Plants.  3rd Edition.  2002.  Cambridge University Press):

montanus, montana and montanum (as well as, monticolus, monticola and moniticolum) mean "of mountains, mountain-dweller".
 

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