Dear Jim,
I want to become a Chinese herbalist! I intend to get Iris anguifuga,
but I don't want to keep snakes away, I like having them in the garden. Too
bad the mice don't; I only wish they got hungry oftener.
Now, how to say it kindly and gently: "This species has been grown by
Chinese herbalist for centuries, but never brought into cultivation
until..." That's what an English boy would say! I've said it myself. I've
said I introduced Rosa achburensis to cultivation, when what I meant was I
introduced it to cultivation outside Central Asia. I said it more
accurately in letters and catalogues, but more loosely in conversation.
E-mail is more like conversation.
Best,
Don