NomenclatureNomenclature

Nomenclature is the giving and using of namesNomenclature is the giving and using of names

It allows us to communicate without giving a It allows us to communicate without giving a lengthy descriptionlengthy description

Linnaeus: father of taxonomyLinnaeus: father of taxonomy

LinnaeusLinnaeus

Carl von Linné known by his pen name LinnaaeusCarl von Linné known by his pen name Linnaaeus

Linnaeus practiced medicineLinnaeus practiced medicine

He altered his classification many times as different He altered his classification many times as different plants were discoveredplants were discovered

He published He published Species Plantarum Species Plantarum in 1733in 1733

He created a system called Linnaean binomial system He created a system called Linnaean binomial system of nomenclatureof nomenclature

Biological organisms are given two Latinized namesBiological organisms are given two Latinized names

Linnaean binomial system of Linnaean binomial system of nomenclaturenomenclature

The first name represents genusThe first name represents genus

The second name is termed as the specific epithetThe second name is termed as the specific epithet

The names combined represent the species nameThe names combined represent the species name

E.G. red maple = E.G. red maple = Acer rubrum (Specific Name)Acer rubrum (Specific Name)

Linnaean ClassificationLinnaean Classification

His taxonomy was based on the arrangement and His taxonomy was based on the arrangement and number of the reproductive organsnumber of the reproductive organs

Stamens determined a plants classStamens determined a plants class

Pistils determined a plants orderPistils determined a plants order

Plants without obvious sex organs were known as Plants without obvious sex organs were known as Cryptogamia “plants with a hidden marriage”Cryptogamia “plants with a hidden marriage”

i.e. algae, lichens, fungi, and mossesi.e. algae, lichens, fungi, and mosses

Common NamesCommon Names

Original form of nomenclatureOriginal form of nomenclature

Created by local people in their own regionsCreated by local people in their own regions

Seems much simpler to understandSeems much simpler to understand

However, there are problems with using common However, there are problems with using common namesnames

Problems with Common NamesProblems with Common Names

Common names are common only to the Common names are common only to the localized regionlocalized region

i.e. In England the white water lily has 15 common namesi.e. In England the white water lily has 15 common names

Used in different regions to identify different Used in different regions to identify different plantsplants

Common names may suggest erroneous Common names may suggest erroneous relationships between plantsrelationships between plants

Rare species may not have namesRare species may not have names

Scientific NamesScientific Names

Evolved from the 13Evolved from the 13thth to 18 to 18thth centuries centuries

Latin was used because it was the language of Latin was used because it was the language of educated men! educated men!

Latin is a dead language therefore terms are fixed and Latin is a dead language therefore terms are fixed and no longer evolving!no longer evolving!

Latin has no political significanceLatin has no political significance

Objectives of NomenclatureObjectives of Nomenclature

To create an international system of namesTo create an international system of names

To create a stable system.To create a stable system.

Today the rules for naming plants are known Today the rules for naming plants are known as the International code of Botanical as the International code of Botanical NomenclatureNomenclature

Plants’ Names Plants’ Names (e.g., Irish potato)(e.g., Irish potato)

Kingdom:Kingdom: Plantae Plantae Phylum:Phylum: Anthophyta (angiosperms) Anthophyta (angiosperms) Class:Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledones Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledones Family:Family: Solanaceae Solanaceae Genus:Genus: SolanumSolanum Species:Species: Solanum tuberosumSolanum tuberosum L. L.