Problems associated with the use of common names in the identification of poisonous plants

Barriers in communication among professional botanists, physicians and the general populous developed from a disparity in the use of botanical nomenclature. Universally accepted scientific names from plants affords a common ground of understanding among botanists throughout the world. A general phobia with unfamiliar latinized scientific nomenclature has proliferated the use of common or trivial names. These names, however, can vary with geographic region, language, or individual preference often and thus, can lead to misidentification or a delay in the proper identification of a toxic plant.