Nomenclature

Nomenclature is the system of orderly classifying and naming

Botanical Nomenclature is the system orderly classifying and naming plants

Living creatures are divided into several Kingdoms Plant Kingdom is our interest here

Nomenclature

Within the Plant Kingdom plants are divided into four principle subdivisions called divisions.

Nomenclature - Divisions

Thallophytes (algae & fungi) Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) Pteriodophytes (ferns; reproduce by means of

spores) Spermatophytes – (seed bearing plants; have

true roots, stems, leaves & vascular system)

Nomenclature – Spermatophytes

Gymnosperm (conifers, Ginkgo) Angiosperm (flowering plants)

Subclass Dicot – 2 cotyledons, flower parts generally in 5’s & network veination

Subclass Monocot – 1 cotyledon, flower parts generally in 3’s & parallel veination

Classes

Nomenclature – Orders

The subclasses of Angiosperms are divided into orders, the names of which often terminate in –ales, as the Asterales.

Nomenclature – Purple Coneflower

Kingdom Plantae Division Spermatophytes

Class Angiosperm Subclass Dicotyledonae

Order Asterales Family Asteraceae

Genus Echinacea Species purpurea

Nomenclature – The Binomial System

The Binomial System: a 2 word scientific name; developed by Carl Von Linne (1737) Genus & specific epithet (species)

Each plant has only one valid Scientific Name!!!!

Names are given based on International Code of Botanical Nomenclature

Nomenclature – The Binomial System

Genus Generic name for a plant group (Quercus)

Specific epithet Scientific name for one plant (alba)

Quercus alba (White Oak)

Special divisions within a plant species:Variety A self perpetuating mutation

or off-spring that differs significantly from parent species

Cultivar A manmade and or man maintained offspring that differs significantly from parent species

Nomenclature – The Binomial System

Scientific Names are descriptive and may describe a plant’s: Habitat

Betula nigra = water

Physical characteristics (leaf, size, form, color, ect.) Magnolia grandiflora = big flower

Nomenclature – The Binomial System

Scientific Names are descriptive and may describe a plant’s: Place of origin (geography)

Camellia japonica Japan

Ancient classical name Lycopersicon esculentum

Commemorative Ilex x attenuata ‘Fosterii’

Nomenclature – The Binomial System

Common names can vary from locality, person to person, ect.

Tulip poplar or yellow poplar or tulip tree???

Tulip magnolia or saucer magnolia or tulip tree???

Nomenclature – The Common Name

Genus First letter is always capitalized and the name is underlined or italicized

Specific epithet First letter is generally NOT capitalized, the name is underlined or italicized Cornus florida or Cornus florida

Nomenclature – Rules for Writing

Cultivar A cultivar name is capitalized and placed within single quotes Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief’

Variety A variety name is preceded by var. and is underlined or italicized Rudbeckia fulgida var.compacta

Nomenclature – Rules for Writing

Nomenclature – Rules for Writing

Intergeneric cross: A cross between 2 genera of plants… Rare…

x Fatshedera lizeiInterspecific hybrids or interspecific cross: 2 plants in the same genus with different species:

Abelia x grandiflora

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth and no culture comparable to that of the garden"-

Thomas Jefferson