Used as a botanical term 'primitive' carries none of the derogatory connotations conferred on 'primitive' in references to people; Magnolias are primitive, beautiful survivors.

Helen has told me a lot of botanical terms, but I forget them,

It's tempting to think that botanical terms are just there to bamboozle the average amateur grower.

Katharine got a dictionary and soon she and Eloise had these botanical terms worked out as follows:

Throughout these lessons, the method is pursued of giving pupils specimens to observe and describe before teaching them botanical terms.

In the first place, they should go over their answers and substitute the botanical terms they have just learned for the ones they have used.