Taxonomy: How plants are named Unit 2- Introduction to Horticulture

If you lived in another region of the United States, or in even another country, what might you call this plant?

In some places, it is called the Inch Plant. In others, it is called the Wandering Jew. So how can anyone tell which plant is which?

We can use the scientific name for the plants. By using the scientific name, no matter who we are communicating with, we will know what plant is specifically being discussed. So, let’s talk the language of plants!

Let’s talk history first… If you lived a thousand years ago, and you were fortunate enough to have an education, you would speak the language of the educated … Latin. When plants were described, each part had a Latin name. Plant names could be ten to twelve words long. This method worked, but was considered clumsy.

So enter a Swedish botanist… Carolus Linnaeus, who was born in 1707, and died in 1778.

It was his idea to identify plants by two names, or the binomial system. So instead of writing physalis amno ramosissime ramis angulosis glabris foliis dentoserratis – this was replaced by the concise and now familiar genus-species names - Physalis angulata

This made it much easier for all the botanists and biologists. So let’s talk about these 2 names. In the binomial system we have (bi- 2) (nomial names) i.e. two names... Genus or Generic Genus or Generic Species or Specific Species or Specific

Genus or generic names always are first. This is a group name- all plants in the same genus have similar characteristics. The genus is always a noun, and many times the genus is named after the scientist that classified the plant. The following are examples of common genus names… Zebrina, Chrysanthemum, and Pinus.

The second name is the Species or specific name. The species name is an adjective, and can describe the plant or give information about the plant. Such as… Size Size Shape Shape Color Color Growth habit Growth habit Origin Origin

Once you speak plant, them no matter where you are… You will be able to know exactly what plant everyone is talking about. Acer palmatum is a Japanese red maple in French, German, Japanese, and even in English!

Back to the BIG picture- Many plants belong to the same genus (genera) These are grouped into families which relates to flower structure The Rosaceae family includes the following plants- Prunus Malus Fragaria Rubus

What is the largest family of plants? Remember, it relates to flower structure. It is the Compositae family. Plants in this family include Chrysanthemum

And… Asters

Then there is Cineraria

Can you see the similarities in the bloom structure??? They all have ray and disk flowers. This kind of observation makes classification simple.

So now we know about genera and species, how do we write it out???? Because these words are in another language, they are always written in Italics Italics That is, if you are using the computer- and it is very easy to do!!!!!

The genus name is always first. It is always capitalized!!!!! For example- The genus is Chrysanthemum

The species name is next. It is never capitalized. An example of a species name is morifolium

Then, we can add one more name- the cultivar (cv.) It is also known as the VARIETY!

So, here is what it looks like … Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. “Diamond Yellow”

Remember the order and it will be simple!! Genus or Generic Genus or Generic species or specific species or specific “cultivar” or “variety” “cultivar” or “variety”

A taxonomist … Is a scientist who specializes in the classification and identification of plants. This is not an easy job, because every plant has to have its’ own binomial name.

Here is the way it looks: Kingdom- Plants Division or Phylum- Spermatophyta (seed plants) Class- Angiospermae (seeds in fruit) Order- Acerales Family- Aceracae Genus- Acer Species-rubrum Cultivar or variety- “Red Sunset”

Acer rubrum “Red Sunset”

Getting back to Zebrina pendula? Getting back to Zebrina pendula? Zebrina means zebra like pendula means falling Does that describe the plant?

It does! So scientific names can really help in the classification and identification of plants!!! Assignment- Using your plant ID list- write down 10 plant names in scientific or botanical form. Divide your paper into 2 columns. Label one column Genus, the other species. Write the genus name and species name in the correct column. Make sure you have placed it correct form. When you are finished, hand in your paper. Assignment- Using your plant ID list- write down 10 plant names in scientific or botanical form. Divide your paper into 2 columns. Label one column Genus, the other species. Write the genus name and species name in the correct column. Make sure you have placed it correct form. When you are finished, hand in your paper.