Botanical NamesBotanical Names

Ever changing world of Ever changing world of botanical names, families botanical names, families

and common names.and common names.Presented by Betty Girard

McKenzie Seeds

Botanical names -Botanical names -

Science is evolving all the time.Science is evolving all the time. Botanists study plants with more in-depth Botanists study plants with more in-depth

and determine that what they thought and determine that what they thought were characteristics in common are not as were characteristics in common are not as related botanically as they thought related botanically as they thought originally.originally.

This results in ongoing changes in This results in ongoing changes in botanical names and familiesbotanical names and families. .

How it affects us?How it affects us?

Regulatory regulations no longer are Regulatory regulations no longer are keeping up with botanical name changes.keeping up with botanical name changes.

So many regulations refer to old names.So many regulations refer to old names. This may lead to confusion.This may lead to confusion. It is important for all to keep up with It is important for all to keep up with

these ongoing changes.these ongoing changes.

McKenzie Seeds Review -McKenzie Seeds Review -

Last summer McKenzie Seeds reviewed all of Last summer McKenzie Seeds reviewed all of its botanical names and found many changes its botanical names and found many changes that we were not aware of.that we were not aware of.

1,598 flower packet varieties and 1,700 1,598 flower packet varieties and 1,700 vegetable packet varieties are listed.vegetable packet varieties are listed.

It took a long time to verify and update all of It took a long time to verify and update all of these botanical names and families. these botanical names and families.

And still keeping with the older CFIA versions And still keeping with the older CFIA versions for regulatory references.for regulatory references.

Pepper Capsicum cultivars -Pepper Capsicum cultivars -

In reality, there are different botanical names depending upon the In reality, there are different botanical names depending upon the cultivar and hotness scale (Scoville scale). We treat them all as cultivar and hotness scale (Scoville scale). We treat them all as Capsicum annuum. Nothing wrong with that it makes it simpler; Capsicum annuum. Nothing wrong with that it makes it simpler; the seed sizes and seeds per gram vary quite a bit.the seed sizes and seeds per gram vary quite a bit.

Capsicum annuum, which includes bell (0 SR), cayenne (30000-Capsicum annuum, which includes bell (0 SR), cayenne (30000-50000 SR), paprika (2500-8000), & jalapeños (2500-10000 SR) 50000 SR), paprika (2500-8000), & jalapeños (2500-10000 SR)

Capsicum baccatum, which includes the ají (30000-50000) Capsicum baccatum, which includes the ají (30000-50000) Capsicum chinense, which includes habaneros (100000-350000) Capsicum chinense, which includes habaneros (100000-350000) Capsicum frutescens, which includes tabasco (30000-50000)Capsicum frutescens, which includes tabasco (30000-50000) Capsicum pubescens, which includes rocoto (50000-250000)Capsicum pubescens, which includes rocoto (50000-250000)

No matter how you slice it - still a tomatoNo matter how you slice it - still a tomato::

TomatoTomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. esculentum Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) H. Karst. Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum

Is still in the Solanaceae family but is now a Solanum genus. Quite Is still in the Solanaceae family but is now a Solanum genus. Quite a change. There are some references that state Solanum spp. are a change. There are some references that state Solanum spp. are weeds; so that is not a true statement anymore.weeds; so that is not a true statement anymore.

CFIA grade tables and M&P still reference the old names. The M&P CFIA grade tables and M&P still reference the old names. The M&P has to wait until grade tables are updated in order to change.has to wait until grade tables are updated in order to change.

AOSA rules may reference old names but have switched to the new AOSA rules may reference old names but have switched to the new names in most cases. It is also updated annually.names in most cases. It is also updated annually.

What references to use?What references to use? In Canada, for items listed in the grade tables and M&P In Canada, for items listed in the grade tables and M&P

we are forced to use the older versions of the botanical we are forced to use the older versions of the botanical names. Until these are updated, we have to reference names. Until these are updated, we have to reference these. This is also true for the Noxious Listings.these. This is also true for the Noxious Listings.

We should be aware of the changes that are involved We should be aware of the changes that are involved not only in crops but also in weeds.not only in crops but also in weeds.

Example is the listing of a potential invasive weed used Example is the listing of a potential invasive weed used the botanical name the botanical name Nasella tenuissimaNasella tenuissima common name common name Mexican Feather Grass and it has been known and sold Mexican Feather Grass and it has been known and sold in Canada by the botanical name in Canada by the botanical name Stipa tenuissimaStipa tenuissima common name Pony Tails.common name Pony Tails.

GRIN GRIN USDA/ARSGermplasm Resources Information

Network (GRIN) This is the best and most up-to-date reference This is the best and most up-to-date reference

for botanical names. It is electronic resource for botanical names. It is electronic resource on the website http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-on the website http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index.pl It is important to try bin/npgs/html/index.pl It is important to try to stay with one resource whenever possible.to stay with one resource whenever possible.

The AOSA Uniform Classification for Weeds The AOSA Uniform Classification for Weeds and Crops is a resource but it is based on the and Crops is a resource but it is based on the GRIN so it is better to go to the GRIN directly.GRIN so it is better to go to the GRIN directly.

Other resourcesOther resources There is the ISTA Stabilized List. I have never used this and There is the ISTA Stabilized List. I have never used this and

try to stick with the GRIN - try to stick with the GRIN - http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index.plhttp://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/index.pl

Common names vary between areas, countries and between Common names vary between areas, countries and between generations.generations.

There are resources for common names as well. You can There are resources for common names as well. You can search the GRIN for common names. search the GRIN for common names.

Inventory of Canadian Agricultural Weeds is also a resource for common names. It is recommended to use the names with common names. It is recommended to use the names with * beside it. They were developed in 2003 which does make * beside it. They were developed in 2003 which does make them older versions. It covers all items not just seed.them older versions. It covers all items not just seed.

http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/A42-100-2003E.pdfhttp://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/A42-100-2003E.pdf http://dsp-psd.tpsgc.gc.ca/Collection/A42-100-2003F.pdfhttp://dsp-psd.tpsgc.gc.ca/Collection/A42-100-2003F.pdf

To Be Sure…. Use BotanicalTo Be Sure…. Use Botanical

Botanical names are clearer and can be clarified Botanical names are clearer and can be clarified easier. If possible, use them on your Reports of easier. If possible, use them on your Reports of analysis or your Seed Certificates.analysis or your Seed Certificates.

There are common names that refer to many different There are common names that refer to many different things. Even something come like the Forget-Me-Not things. Even something come like the Forget-Me-Not flower which is either a flower which is either a MyosotisMyosotis or a or a CynoglossumCynoglossum or a or a BrunneraBrunnera type. Very different flowers and type. Very different flowers and plants.plants.

A weed common name like Quack grass or Couch A weed common name like Quack grass or Couch grass is one that is confusing depending upon where grass is one that is confusing depending upon where you live in North America.you live in North America.

Seeds, Seeds and more Seeds -Seeds, Seeds and more Seeds - Beside the Federal Canadian Noxious listing, there are Provincial noxious listings.Beside the Federal Canadian Noxious listing, there are Provincial noxious listings. If we had to make sure all seed lots were free of all noxious both Federal and If we had to make sure all seed lots were free of all noxious both Federal and

Provincial, we are talking about 257 different seeds and that might not include Provincial, we are talking about 257 different seeds and that might not include municipal or county listings as well. There is no overall official listing including municipal or county listings as well. There is no overall official listing including them all. McKenzie Seeds has always kept a database of them for reference and them all. McKenzie Seeds has always kept a database of them for reference and updates it regularly.updates it regularly.

In the USA, they have Federal plus State Noxious listings which is now in an up to In the USA, they have Federal plus State Noxious listings which is now in an up to date complied official listing for you to print off in the lab.date complied official listing for you to print off in the lab.

There is also now Invasive Plant species as well to keep track of.There is also now Invasive Plant species as well to keep track of. The Seed Analysts writing examinations get a listing of items as well.The Seed Analysts writing examinations get a listing of items as well. Not all of these lists encompass everything and new things are being added to many Not all of these lists encompass everything and new things are being added to many

of them which can create problems.of them which can create problems.

There is not sufficient identification or samples of the weeds/crops. As there are many There is not sufficient identification or samples of the weeds/crops. As there are many different species in any one genera to say that this species is distinguishable from different species in any one genera to say that this species is distinguishable from this species without having the benefit of examining multiple seeds makes the this species without having the benefit of examining multiple seeds makes the remarks questionable.remarks questionable.

Items are added to listings which in some cases are not clearly able to be visually Items are added to listings which in some cases are not clearly able to be visually identified in the lab or if they are able to be identified in the lab are certainly not identified in the lab or if they are able to be identified in the lab are certainly not being able to be identified by a grader without a microscope.being able to be identified by a grader without a microscope.

If unsure, If unsure, check the GRIN.check the GRIN.

Be wary of common Be wary of common names especially if names especially if you test outside of you test outside of your immediate your immediate geographical area.geographical area.

Questions?Questions?

Comments?Comments?