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Naming Naming Plants Plants ScientificallyScientificallyObjectives:

1. To learn to write scientific names

2. To understand reasons for using scientific names

3. To define binomial nomenclature

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Naming PlantsNaming 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

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Naming PlantsNaming 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

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Naming PlantsNaming 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?

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• Scientists worldwide rely on accurate information about organisms

• Buyers require correct ordering information to guarantee they receive the correct plant species

What is the importance of using scientific names?

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Carolus Carolus LinnaeusLinnaeus

• 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

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Binomial System of Binomial System of NomenclatureNomenclature

• 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

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Why Latin?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

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Helianthus annuus (annual sunflower)

• helios (sun)• anthos (flower)• annuus (annual)alba – whitejaponica – of Japanaltus – tallrepens – creeping

Why Latin?Why Latin?

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Writing Scientific NamesWriting 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

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Writing Scientific NamesWriting 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

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WritingWriting ScientificScientific

NamesNames

• 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

SmithSmith

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Writing Scientific NamesWriting 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

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Writing Scientific Writing Scientific NamesNames

• Variety name is preceded by the prefix “var.” and is never capitalized

• Always underlined or italicized

• Phlox carolina var. triflora

• Phlox carolina var. triflora

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Writing Scientific NamesWriting 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’

– Hedera helix cv. Needlepoint

– Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’

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Writing Scientific NamesWriting 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’

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AssessmentAssessment1. ______ is referred to as the Father of Taxonomy.

A. Aristotle B. LinnaeusC. Theophrastus D. Pasteur

2. The language used for scientific classification is _____________.A. English B. Ancient GreekC. Latin D. None of the above

3. Which scientific name is written correctly?

A. Populus alba B. Populus AlbaC. Populus alba D. populus alba

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AssessmentAssessment

4. Common names ______________________.

A. can be confusing B. refer to different plants

C. vary from region to region D. all of the above5. Binomial means ______________.A. scientific B. two namesC. monetary D. in Latin

6. In the scientific name Petunia x hybrida, the “x” means the plant is _______.A. extinct B. a genusC. rare D. a hybrid

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Naming Plants Naming Plants ScientificallyScientificallyAcknowledgments:

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.

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Naming Plants Naming Plants ScientificallyScientifically

, VCEV Multimedia, Ltd.

Acknowledgements

Sandra Balch – Production Coordinator

Jennifer Donaldson – Graphics Editor

Geoff Scott – Production Manager

G.W. Davis – Executive Producer