Chapter 3 Plant Nomenclature

8/9/2019 Chapter 3 Plant Nomenclature

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Plant NomenclaturePlant Nomenclature

Systematic BotanySystematic Botany

Chapter 3Chapter 3


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NomenclatureNomenclature

assignment of names to plantsassignment of names to plants

involves principles governed by rulesinvolves principles governed by rules

developed and adopted by thedeveloped and adopted by theInternational Botanical CongressesInternational Botanical Congresses

rules formally listed in therules formally listed in the InternationalInternational

Code of Botanical NomenclatureCode of Botanical Nomenclature nomenclature and classification arenomenclature and classification are

different but inseparabledifferent but inseparable


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International Code of BotanicalInternational Code of Botanical

Nomenclature or CodeNomenclature or Code

ultimate goal is to provide ONE correctultimate goal is to provide ONE correct

name for each taxonname for each taxon

the rules are subdivided intothe rules are subdivided into articlesarticles,,

which must be adhered to, andwhich must be adhered to, and

recommendationsrecommendations, which are optional, which are optional


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Basis of Scientific NamesBasis of Scientific Names

the present system is the result of athe present system is the result of ahistoric series of changes that graduallyhistoric series of changes that graduallybecome formalizedbecome formalized

oldest plant namesoldest plant names common namescommon names

used in ancient Greece and Romeused in ancient Greece and Rome

present namespresent names LatinizedLatinized spellingspelling

before 1753before 1753 polynomialspolynomials

LinnaeusLinnaeus Species PlantarumSpecies Plantarumbinomial nomenclaturebinomial nomenclature


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Scientific Names versusScientific Names versus

Common NamesCommon Names5 reasons why botanists use Latinized scientific5 reasons why botanists use Latinized scientific

names (SN) instead of common names (CN)names (SN) instead of common names (CN)

1.1. SN is universal and are recognized throughoutSN is universal and are recognized throughoutthe worldthe world

2.2. CN usually do not provide information indicatingCN usually do not provide information indicatingthe generic and family relationshipsthe generic and family relationships

3.3. A wellA well--known plant may have several commonknown plant may have several commonnamesnames

4.4. Sometimes, two or more plants may have theSometimes, two or more plants may have thesame common namesame common name

5.5. Many species, particularly rare ones, do not haveMany species, particularly rare ones, do not havecommon namescommon names


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Composition of Scientific NamesComposition of Scientific Names

Consists of three elements:Consists of three elements:

1. Generic names1. Generic names

2. Specific epithets2. Specific epithets

3. Authors name3. Authors name


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a singular Latinized noun or a word treateda singular Latinized noun or a word treatedas a nounas a noun

always written with an initial capital letteralways written with an initial capital letter

may not consist of two words unless they aremay not consist of two words unless they arejoined with a hyphenjoined with a hyphen

may be taken from any source, and it maymay be taken from any source, and it maycommemorate some person of distinctioncommemorate some person of distinction

customarilycustomarily underlinedunderlined when written or typed;when written or typed;when printed, they are inwhen printed, they are in italicsitalics ororboldfaceboldface


Generic NamesGeneric Names


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may be derived from any source and maymay be derived from any source and mayhonor a person, or they may be derived from anhonor a person, or they may be derived from anold common name, a geographic location, orold common name, a geographic location, or

some characteristic of the plantsome characteristic of the plant often an adjective illustrating a distinguishingoften an adjective illustrating a distinguishingfeature of a speciesfeature of a species

may consists of two words but must bemay consists of two words but must be

hyphenatedhyphenated usually agrees with theusually agrees with the gendergenderof the genericof the genericname (if adjective)name (if adjective)


Specific epithetSpecific epithet


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Specific epithetSpecific epithet if named after a person, (1) ending in a vowelif named after a person, (1) ending in a voweloror erer, the letter, the letteriiis added, (2) ending in ais added, (2) ending in aconsonant, the letterconsonant, the letteriiiiare added, (3) for aare added, (3) for a

female, it ends infemale, it ends iniae oriae or aeae when derived from geographical names theywhen derived from geographical names theyare usually terminated byare usually terminated byensis,ensis, --(a)nus,(a)nus, --inus,inus,--ianus or icusianus or icus

must be written with a small initial lettermust be written with a small initial letter customarilycustomarily underlinedunderlined when written or typed;when written or typed;when printed, they are inwhen printed, they are in italicsitalics ororboldfaceboldface


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Authors NameAuthors Name a source of historical information regarding the namea source of historical information regarding the name

of the plantof the plant

may be abbreviated or full namemay be abbreviated or full name

may consists of two names, with the first inmay consists of two names, with the first inparentheses indicating the person who first describedparentheses indicating the person who first describedthe plant, and the second name indicate the name ofthe plant, and the second name indicate the name ofthe person who made the changesthe person who made the changes

name changes should be made only after carefulname changes should be made only after carefulconsideration of taxonomic relationships and mustconsideration of taxonomic relationships and mustfollow the requirements of the ICBNfollow the requirements of the ICBN


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Rules of NomenclatureRules of Nomenclature

Linnaeus in 1737 and 1751Linnaeus in 1737 and 1751

1818thth century,century, prioritypriority or the use of the oldest name wasor the use of the oldest name wasrecognized as the cornerstone of nomenclaturerecognized as the cornerstone of nomenclature

AP de CandolleAP de Candolle detailed set or rules on the processdetailed set or rules on the processof assigning names, thus evolving the ICBNof assigning names, thus evolving the ICBN

LinnaeusLinnaeus synonymy of namessynonymy of names

Nomenclator botanicusNomenclator botanicus Steudel (1821, 1840Steudel (1821, 1840--41) an41) an

index of plant names; useful for checking names andindex of plant names; useful for checking names andsynonyms; forerunner ofsynonyms; forerunner ofIndex kewensisIndex kewensis

18671867 11stst International Botanical Congress in ParisInternational Botanical Congress in Parisfollowed by 1892, 1905, 1907 and 1910followed by 1892, 1905, 1907 and 1910


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Rules of Nomenclature:Rules of Nomenclature:

PrinciplesPrinciples1.1. Botanical nomenclature is independent of zoologicalBotanical nomenclature is independent of zoological

nomenclaturenomenclature

2.2. The application of names of taxonomic groups isThe application of names of taxonomic groups is

determined by means of nomenclatural types.determined by means of nomenclatural types.3.3. The nomenclature of a taxonomic group is basedThe nomenclature of a taxonomic group is based

upon the priority of publication.upon the priority of publication.

4.4. Each taxonomic group with a particularEach taxonomic group with a particularcircumscription, position and rank can bear only onecircumscription, position and rank can bear only one

correct name, the earliest that is in accordance withcorrect name, the earliest that is in accordance withthe rulesthe rules

5.5. Scientific names of taxonomic groups are treated asScientific names of taxonomic groups are treated asLatin regardless of their derivation.Latin regardless of their derivation.

6.6. The rules of nomenclature are retroactive unlessThe rules of nomenclature are retroactive unlessexpressly limited.expressly limited.


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ProcedureProcedureDetailed procedures based upon these principlesDetailed procedures based upon these principles

are divided intoare divided into Rules andRecommendationsRules andRecommendations. The. TheCode states, the objective of the Rules is to putCode states, the objective of the Rules is to putthe nomenclature of the past into order and tothe nomenclature of the past into order and to

provide for that of the future; names contrary to aprovide for that of the future; names contrary to arule cannot be maintained. the Recommendationsrule cannot be maintained. the Recommendations

dealing with minor points provide guidance anddealing with minor points provide guidance and

uniformity in plants. However, names that areuniformity in plants. However, names that arecontrary to the Recommendations cannot becontrary to the Recommendations cannot be

rejected for that reason.rejected for that reason.


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Ranks of TaxaR

anks of Taxa

Division Class Order Family TribeDivision Class Order Family Tribe

Genus Section Series Species Genus Section Series Species

Variety Form Variety Form


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The Type MethodThe Type Method Taxonomists use the type method as a legalTaxonomists use the type method as a legal

device to provide the correct name for a taxondevice to provide the correct name for a taxon

type specimentype specimen a single specimen or the plantsa single specimen or the plants

on a single herbarium sheeton a single herbarium sheet type of a genustype of a genus a species; type of a familya species; type of a family aa

genusgenus

nomenclatural typenomenclatural type not necessarily the mostnot necessarily the most

representative of a taxon; it is the specimen orrepresentative of a taxon; it is the specimen orspecimens with which the name of the taxon isspecimens with which the name of the taxon ispermanently associated; no way reflects thepermanently associated; no way reflects thetypological concept of an idealized specimentypological concept of an idealized specimen


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The Type MethodThe Type MethodSeveral kinds of types:Several kinds of types:

1.1. holotypeholotype

2.2. isotypeisotype3.3. lectotypelectotype

4.4. syntypesyntype

5.5. paratypeparatype

6.6. neotypeneotype


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Priority of NamesPriority of Names PriorityPriority concerned with the precedenceconcerned with the precedence

of the date of valid publication andof the date of valid publication anddetermines the acceptance of one of two ordetermines the acceptance of one of two or

more names that are otherwise acceptablemore names that are otherwise acceptable Legitimate versus illegitimateLegitimate versus illegitimate

nomina conservandanomina conservanda conserved namesconserved names

based on the International Botanicalbased on the International BotanicalCongressCongress


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Effective and Valid PublicationEffective and Valid PublicationA.A. Effective PublicationEffective Publication

distribution of printed matter to the generaldistribution of printed matter to the general

public or at least to botanical institutions withpublic or at least to botanical institutions with

B.B. Valid PublicationValid Publication

a name must be effectively published in thea name must be effectively published in the

form specified by the Codeform specified by the Code

must be accompanied by a description or amust be accompanied by a description or areference to a previously publishedreference to a previously published

description for that taxondescription for that taxon


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Citation of Authors NameCitation of Authors Name To be accurate and complete, the name of aTo be accurate and complete, the name of a

taxon should include a citation of the author ortaxon should include a citation of the author or

authors who originally described that taxonauthors who originally described that taxon

Purposes:Purposes:

expedites locating the original plant descriptionexpedites locating the original plant description

distinction between two namesdistinction between two names

can aid botanists in tracing the transference ofcan aid botanists in tracing the transference ofspecies from one genus to anotherspecies from one genus to another


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Retention, Choice & Rejection ofRetention, Choice & Rejection of

NamesNames1.1. A change in the diagnostic limit separating the taxonA change in the diagnostic limit separating the taxon

from its relatives is not justifiable cause for a change infrom its relatives is not justifiable cause for a change inthe name of the taxon.the name of the taxon.

2.2. When a species is described in one genus and laterWhen a species is described in one genus and latertransferred to another genus, the specific epithet, iftransferred to another genus, the specific epithet, iflegitimate, must be retained.legitimate, must be retained.

3.3. When two or more taxa of the same rank are united,When two or more taxa of the same rank are united,the oldest legitimate name or epithet is selected.the oldest legitimate name or epithet is selected.

4.4. A legitimate name or epithet must not be rejectedA legitimate name or epithet must not be rejectedmerely because it is inappropriate or disagreeable, ormerely because it is inappropriate or disagreeable, orbecause another is preferable or better known, orbecause another is preferable or better known, orbecause it has lost its original meaning.because it has lost its original meaning.

5.5. Hybrids must follow the same rules of the Code.Hybrids must follow the same rules of the Code.


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Cultivated PlantsCultivated Plants Retain the names applied to the same taxa inRetain the names applied to the same taxa in

their native habitattheir native habitat

cultivarcultivar denotes an assemblage of cultivateddenotes an assemblage of cultivatedplants that is clearly distinguished by anyplants that is clearly distinguished by any

characters, and that, following reproduction,characters, and that, following reproduction,

retain its distinguishing characteristicsretain its distinguishing characteristics

International Code of Nomenclature forInternational Code of Nomenclature forCultivated PlantsCultivated Plants (Brickell, 1980)(Brickell, 1980)

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Chapter 3 Plant Nomenclature