Lecture 8 - Identification

Question 1

What is the significance of scientific names in plant taxonomy?

Answer 1

Provide unique, universal identification

For example, Podocarpus totara is a scientific name that uniquely identifies a plant species.

Question 2

How do traditional/local names differ from scientific names in taxonomy?

Answer 2

Group unrelated plants by use or appearance, not relatedness

An example is the Māori name “tōtara” which may refer to different species.

Question 3

What is the basic taxonomic hierarchy?

Answer 3

Family > Genus > Species

Scientific names consist of Genus (capitalized) + species (lowercase), both italicized.

Question 4

What is the correct format for writing scientific names?

Answer 4

Genus (capitalized) + species (lowercase), both italicized

Example: Piper kawakawa.

Question 5

How many orders and families do flowering plants (angiosperms) comprise?

Answer 5

Approximately 64 orders and 416 families

Flowering plants are the most diverse plant group.

Question 6

What are the two main groups of angiosperms?

Answer 6

Monocots and eudicots

Monocots include grasses and orchids, while eudicots include species like daisies and legumes.

Question 7

What is the largest angiosperm family?

Answer 7

Asteraceae (Daisy family)

Contains over 32,000 species.

Question 8

What are some key features of the Asteraceae family?

Answer 8

Composite flower heads, usually herbaceous, contain polyphenols, flavonoids, and diterpenoids

Known for antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties.

Question 9

What characterizes the Lamiaceae family?

Answer 9

Square stems, hairy leaves and stems, fused flowers creating nectar tubes

Contains about 236 genera and more than 7,000 species.

Question 10

What are some medicinal uses associated with the Lamiaceae family?

Answer 10

Weight management, liver health, anti-inflammatory effects

Many species in this family are adapted to dry climates.

Question 11

Why are taxonomic relationships important in predicting medicinal properties?

Answer 11

Closely related plants tend to share similar chemical compounds and medicinal effects

Helps identify new medicinal species and prevents misidentification.

Question 12

True or False: Non-flowering plants are more diverse than flowering plants.

Answer 12

False

Flowering plants dominate the medicinal plant trade worldwide.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The scientific name format includes Genus (capitalized) + species (_______), both italicized.

Answer 13

lowercase