160 likes | 1.25k Views
PLANT CLASSIFICATION. PLANT CLASSIFICATION. How has plant classification evolved? Common name insufficient; limitations in communication Need for uniform and internationally acceptable system Many ways to classify plants
E N D
PLANT CLASSIFICATION How has plant classification evolved? • Common name insufficient; limitations in communication • Need for uniform and internationally acceptable system • Many ways to classify plants • climate; seasons; edible parts; use; foliage, flowers, growth habits, etc. • System based on how classification is to be used
PLANT CLASSIFICATION • Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) system led to modern taxonomy • Modern scientific naming/classification grouped by taxa based on physical characteristics(see link below) http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07701.html#top
PLANT CLASSIFICATION • Plant taxonomic classification changes with continuing research, so inconsistencies in nomenclature will be found among different textbooks • The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, the rules that govern the naming of plants, currently recognizes seven ranks (see link below) http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/botany/class_intro.html
PLANT ID & NOMENCLATURE • Family usually highest taxon in ID or study • Latin names; others – Greek, Arabic • Names give clues to appearance • May also clue characteristics, habitat, person named for, etc.
PLANT ID & NOMENCLATURE • Each plant has a two-word (binomial) name • Binomial name will be Latin • First name – genus; Second name – species • Species is technically “specific epithet” • Complete Linnaen names also have authority • abbreviated name of scientist who named plant • Example: “L.” means Linnaeus
NOMENCLATURE GUIDELINES • Genus (generic name) always capitalized • Species (specific epithet) never capitalized • Except may be capitalized if a person’s name • Either underlined or italicized • Authority name is never italicized • Listings of several plants in same genus: • Full genus name for first, capitalized initial for subsequent plants in list
NOMENCLATURE GUIDELINES • “sp.” or “spp.” stands for species • indicates exact species is not known for the genus being considered • “sp.” or “spp.” never underlined or italicized
SUBSPECIFIC CATEGORIES • Botanical Variety • “var.” from Latin varietas, “variety” • sufficiently different to warrant unique name • Cultivar • “cv.” from cultivated variety • may place cultivar name in single quotes • always capitalized; never underlined/italicized • Group • Many cultivars that are similar
PLANT ID KEY • Dichotomous Key • process of elimination by “yes/no” decisions to characteristics offered in key • see pp. 285-286 in text