arbusto spontaneo

[tsoapm]

Hi all,

Le bacche di Goji sono i frutti di un arbusto spontaneo di origine tibetana, il Lycium barbarum.

My dictionary gives me two translations for spontaneo in a botanical sense, but I’ve never heard either of them before. Which should I be using? Apparently either "volunteer" (OED: not deliberately planted), or "spontaneous" (growing naturally without being tended/cultivated). The OED has "spontaneous" as being archaic, so I guess it'd be "volunteer", but the fact that they're both listed in the dictionary gives me pause for thought.

Penny for 'em?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Mary49]

Hi Mark,
since "spontaneo" in case of plants means "growing naturally without human intervention", I would use "spontaneous" or, why not?, "wild".

 

[tsoapm]

Oh right, "wild". That's not a bad idea. On the other hand, I think it might be better to keep it more technical sounding: this is the description on the back of a seed packet, for growing.

 

[sorry66]

'Spontaneous' is not archaic in this context. 'Spontaneous vegetation' has over 400,000 Google hits.
I prefer 'wild', though.

Edit: Actually, if it's on the back of a seed packet, wouldn't 'spontaneous' be better?