Botanical Nomenclature and Taxonomy Flashcards
What is Nomenclature?
Refers to the naming of an organism (such as a plant)
What is Taxonomy?
The science of classifying organisms into main groups (taxons) to certain common characteristics
Why do we use latin to identify plants?
Because it is a dead language and common names can refer to too many species of plants so latin is universal and nothing else is named like it
What is the definition of “Family” in taxonomy
Usually ends in “aceae” , and consists of related genera. Plants are placed in the same family because they share a fairly small number of basic characteristics
What is Genus?
consists of a group of related species which share a number of fundamental characteristics. First part of the latin binomial name of plants
What is species? (Genus + Specific epithet) often called Botanical name
Smallest unit of classification, and consists of groups of similar organisms sharing many common structural and functional characteristics and the ability to interbreed with each other in nature. Common ancestor and gene pool. (colour, fragrance, habit)-
Parenthetical authority is used when? (Hint: 3 reasons)
1) rank of of a plant group is changed
2) a species is transferred to another genus
3) changes in nomenclature are required
What is a vasculum? (Hint: Plastic baggies are a modern version of this)
A metal lunch box shaped compartment where botanists put their specimens with a label that has the time of day, climate, location, etc. Creates a humid environment until plants are ready to be pressed.
What is a subspecies? (ssp.)
This grouping is usually about environment- same species located in different geological locations, some characteristics differ due to environmental conditions
What is a hybrid?
Hybrids are a sexual cross between two different taxa (Genus, species etc)
How are hybrids written?
“X” between genus and SE (Ex: Hosta x heuchera)
What is a cultivar?
A cultivar is a group of plants clearly distinguished by one or more traits from parent species
How are cultivars written?
In English as of 1959- enclosed in single quotation marks , not italicized or underlines (Ex: ‘Coronation Gold’
Why do people grow cultivars? (Hint: 2 answers)
Breeding has improved or the colour, texture, fragrance, bloom, etc. has changed
Cultivars are predictable, all plants exhibit the same height, colour, bloom time etc.
What is the trademark name and how is it written?
a trade mark name may be registered by the person or the company that developed the cultivar (Ex: Acer Freemanii ‘DTR102’ =Autumn fancy)
