Talk:Cupressus sempervirens

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'In some areas, particularly the US, it is inaccurately known as "Italian Cypress"; although the species is very commonly cultivated in Italy, it is not native there.' I've removed 'inaccurately'. The turkey doesn't come from Turkey, but no one seriously wants to rename it 'the Mayan'. 'Italian cypress' is by far the most common vernacular name for the tree (currently 42,700 to 963 ghits). What about renaming the article to reflect that? Kalebeul 12:12, 11 October 2005 (UTC)

That's irrelevant. It is perfectly reasonable to point out that such and such a name is inaccurate, with the reasons why. The Turkey (bird) article has the same. And google (or other search engine) hits are not a valid way of counting. - MPF 15:55, 11 October 2005 (UTC)

I beg to differ on a couple of things. Let's start with counting. If you don't accept the huge predominance of "Italian cypress" over "Mediterranean cypress" on Google and Google Print - it would be good if you'd say why - then maybe you'll accept the usage adopted in standard works. For example, Latymer and Grassi's Mediterranean gardener uses the former term and omits the latter, as does Taylor's Guide to Trees. Secondly, the turkey article doesn't say that its name is inaccurate, merely that it reflects confusion as to its origins. That seems to me a more useful approach. For example, I'm sure you know that Cupressus refers to the island, where (Blondel, Biology and Wildlife of the Mediterranean Region) the tree was once native. Do you think we should change the Latin name now that it is no longer so?Kalebeul 14:19, 5 November 2005 (UTC)