In the 'Fun Facts' we try to provide scientific as well as common names when we refer to most plants and animals. Common names are often descriptive or informative, but often there may be several for one species of organism. For example what are commonly called elk (Cervus elaphus) in the western U.S. can also be referred to as wapiti. More confusing, in Europe that animal is called a red deer, and the word elk is used for what Americans would call a moose. If your purpose is to communicate without possibility of error, using common names is not always the best way to go. While scientific names are specific to one and only one genus and species of organism, they are generally Greek or Latin words, and most of us speak neither language. Thus, there is a role for common names in conversation.