1.2 Botanical classification and naming

Question 1

Why is horticultural nomenclature important?

Answer 1

Stable (common names can change/evolve over time);

Universal and consistent (internationally understood);

Latin language is universally understood;

Unique and unequivocal;

Reflects classification and relationships;

Gives a clue to the plant’s appearance or characteristics;

Prevents (or reduces) confusion over common name.

Question 2

What is the name of the plant naming system?

Answer 2

Binomial system

Question 3

What is the basic unit of biodiversity?

Answer 3

Species

Question 4

Each species name consists of….?

Answer 4

Genus name + specific epithet

think: manufacturer + model!

Question 5

How is a (Binomial) species name written?

Answer 5

Generic epithet has an uppercase first letter, specific epithet in all in lower case.

Plant name is printed in italics.

If hand written, each word should be underlined.

Question 6

Define the term, “generic name”, or “genus”

Answer 6

A group of species which have similar characteristics

Sub-group of plant Family; rank above Species.

Question 7

Define the term, “specific epithet”, or “species”

Answer 7

A group of plants with characteristics in common and that also interbreed.

Sub-group of a Genus.

Question 8

Describe the naming of cultivated plants

Answer 8

No italics, written in Roman, within apostrophes, and each word is capitalised. e.g. ‘Rose Queen’.

Question 9

What is the meaning of the term, cultivar? (5)

Answer 9

A shortening of the term, cultivated variety. It is a variant of a species.

Selected, bred and then maintained in cultivation, by humans.

(One of the most important taxonomic levels for a horticulturalist.)

Question 10

Describe the Binomial System of naming plants

Answer 10

A species name consisting of two parts:

1. Generic name (Generic epithet)
2. Species name (Specific epithet)

Often in a Latin or Greek form