Naming Plants Scientifically Objectives: To learn to write scientific names To understand reasons for using scientific names To define binomial nomenclature

Naming Plants Ancient people needed to communicate about which plants were edible, poisonous or could be used medicinally They needed to identify plants to be used for fiber or for shelter Names varied from region to region and among different languages

Naming Plants Problems with common naming include: One plant having many common names Many different plants having the same common name, for example: “Creeping Jenny” can apply to 15 different plants

Naming Plants Common names can be confusing Poison Oak is not an oak Poison Ivy is not an ivy Canna lily is not a lily Pineapple is not an apple Can you think of others?

What is the importance of using scientific names? Scientists worldwide rely on accurate information about organisms Buyers require correct ordering information to guarantee they receive the correct plant species

Carolus Linnaeus Carl von Linné (1707-1778), a Swedish physician, naturalist and botanist Carolus Linnaeus is the Latinization of his name Used the binomial system of naming plants and animals Known as the Father of Taxonomy

Binomial System of Nomenclature Binomial (two names) Nomenclature (naming) All organisms have a scientific name consisting of a genus and a species Names derived from Latin Guidelines set by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature

Why Latin? Was the language of scholars Is a dead language Does not continually change Politically neutral Very descriptive Quercus macrocarpa is a bur oak which has large acorns. “Macro” means large and “carpa” means fruit Bur Oak Acorn

Why Latin? Helianthus annuus (annual sunflower) helios (sun) anthos (flower) annuus (annual) alba – white japonica – of Japan altus – tall repens – creeping

Writing Scientific Names First words of scientific names are the genus and always capitalized Second words are specific epithets and never capitalized Scientific names are always underlined or italicized Quercus rubra or Quercus rubra

Writing Scientific Names A genus is a group of closely related species sharing similar characteristics The specific epithet is usually descriptive and it may be used to name plants in different genera The name of the species must include both the generic name and its specific epithet

Writing Scientific Names Smith How would you write your name? Smith john Smith mary Smith jane Notice that Smith is the largest group, and John, Mary and Jane are individuals in the group

Writing Scientific Names A scientific name contains a third word representing a sub group A variety is a naturally occurring group of plants of less than species rank A cultivar is a form of plant originating under cultivation and often is the result of plant breeding Orange Tree

Writing Scientific Names Variety name is preceded by the prefix “var.” and is never capitalized Always underlined or italicized Phlox carolina var. triflora

Writing Scientific Names The cultivar name is preceded by the prefix “cv.” or is enclosed by single quotation marks and is always capitalized Hedera helix cv. Needlepoint Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’

Writing Scientific Names Many plants in the horticultural marketplace are the result of hybridization “x” is used to designate a hybrid Petunia x hybrida ‘Purple Wave’

Naming Plants Scientifically Acknowledgments: Acquaah, George. Horticulture Principles and Practices. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1999. Janick, Jules. Horticulture Science. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Co., 1972. Northington, David K., and J.R. Goodin. The Botanical World. St. Louis: Times Mirror/ Mosby, 1984.

Naming Plants Scientifically Acknowledgements Sandra Balch – Production Coordinator Jennifer Donaldson – Graphics Editor Geoff Scott – Production Manager G.W. Davis – Executive Producer , V CEV Multimedia, Ltd.