It is useful to know the Latin names as supposedly they don't change (although the ruscus example is a bit confusing) and internationally it is useful BUT I also think some recognition of knowing the common name should be acknowledged. We get no marks for knowing common names (there is no place for them on the test) yet on a daily basis they are used even the wholesalers here use them- so I think that knowing (and being tested on) both is important. Whenever I'm buying plants at the garden centre I go by the Latin name to make sure I'm getting the right thing. Which brings me to why I wanted to find out the right name -does anyone have soft ruscus growing in their garden - is it possible for someone not particularly green fingered?