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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. Carolus Linnaeus
Carl von Linné ( ), 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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’

16. 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’

17. 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.

18. 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.