Nomenclature

Question 1

What is the definition of a Genus?

Answer 1

A group of species that have similar characteristics but cannot reproduce.
eg: Rosa, Betula

Question 2

What is the definition of a species?

Answer 2

A group of plants with characteristics in common and can interbreed.
EG: Fagus sylvatica
Alchemilla mollis (Ladies Mantle)

Question 3

What is a cultivar?

Answer 3

Full name ‘cultivated variety’
Often bred so must be maintained by cultivation.
Can also occur naturally as a mutation but would have to be selected and maintained by humans
EG: Chimera

Question 4

How are plants classified into groups?

Answer 4

By lifecycles and uses in horticulture
Physical characteristics (Colour, flower, leaf shape)

Question 5

Describe an ephemeral

Answer 5

Name means “transitory”
Life cycle of 6-8 weeks
Only a few garden flowering plants
Controlled by hoeing or herbicide spray early in growth

Question 6

Weed species of ephemeral are:

Answer 6

Arabidopsis thaliana ( mouse-ear-cress)
Cardamine hirsuite ( bitter cress)
Capsella bursapastoris (Shepherds purse)

Question 7

Flowering garden plant species of ephemeral examples:

Answer 7

Claytonia (Spring Beauty)
Dicentra canadensis ( Squirrel corn)
Trillium erectum (Red trillium)

Question 8

Hardy annuals, describe:

Answer 8

Complete life cycle in one year
Withstands low temps and frost
Can sow direct in autum/early spring

Question 9

Examples of hardy annual

Answer 9

Lathyrus oderatus (Swet pea)
Limnanthes douglasii ( Poached egg plant)
Centaurea cyanus ( Cornflower)
Miss Jekyll (Love-in-mist)

Question 10

Half hardy annuals, describe:

Answer 10

Sown in protective environment eg: glasshouse/ cold frame/tunnel
Planted out in later May/early June after last frosts
Life cycle still one season
Well known in parks and cities summer bedding displays

Question 11

Examples of half hardy annuals

Answer 11

Blue Salvia (Salvia farinacea)
African marigold (Tagetes erecta)
Sweet Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
Blue dwarf lobelia (lobeila erinus)

Question 12

Biennials

Answer 12

A plant with a life cycle of two seasons

Following germination in year 1 it produces vegetative growth only.

Flowers and produces seeds in second year

Stimulus to flowering is induced by the period of winter cold (vernalisation)

Question 13

examples of biennials

Answer 13

Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)
Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel)
Lunaria annua (Honesty)
Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William)

Question 14

Tender perennials

Answer 14

Originate from warmer climates-tropical/mediterranean
Cannot indure frost
Need to be managed if to survived.
Bring inside/wrap in fleece and store in dark, dry settings

Question 15

Tender perennial examples

Answer 15

Dahlia pinnata (Bishop of Llandaff)
Fuschia bolviana (Alba variety)
Gazinia varieties

Question 16

Herbaceous perennials, describe:

Answer 16

Popular in stately home garden/display gardens

Last many years

Soft tissues

All above ground growth dies back to soil level each autumn/winter

Grows back from the root sock each spring

Question 17

Examples of herbaceous perennials

Answer 17

Lupinus varieties (Lupins)
Rudbeckia fulgida (Goldsturm)
Astilbe x arendsii variety (fanal)
Phlox panniculate
Hemerocallis fulva variety (Kwansu)

Question 18

Woody perennials

Answer 18

They include shrubs and trees

Question 19

what is a shrub?

Answer 19

Evergreen or deciduous
Multi-stemmed
Permanent branch structure

Question 20

What is the definition of a tree?

Answer 20

Have a main trunk clear of branches
Usually broad leaves
Branches at higher level
Usually deciduous

Question 21

Examples of trees and shrubs

Answer 21

Rhododendron
Prunus padus (the bird cherry)
Salix caprea (Goat Willow)
Forsythia suspensa (spring flowering and yellow)