What’s in a Plant’s Name?
The
History of Binomial Nomenclature
Before the age of Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, plants
were identified by a Latin phrase that described the plant features.
Although thorough, this method was not very practical Linnaeus began
using a system of a two word Latin name. This shorter name was much
more convenient to use, and gradually took over. The advantage of the
two-word Latin Names over Common Names is that they can be used and
recognized by anyone in the world, no matter what language they speak.
It is also important that each plant has its own name, and each new
plant discovered receives a new name, avoiding confusion.
The only problem was, at the time when plants were being discovered
and classified, communication between countries was not efficient. If
two different Botanists in two different countries classified the same
plant but gave it different names, which name is right? Because of such
problems, there is an International Code of Botanic Nomenclature with
rules and procedures for naming plants. Although not light reading for
the average person, it clears up many problems and keeps redundancy
to a minimum.
Latin names consist of a Generic Name and a Specific Epithet (or specific name). Well what’s the difference between that and “Genus and species”? The Generic Name is the name used for a Genus (a group of species that are different, but linked in a way),
and is always spelled with a capital letter. The specific name is the second part of the scientific name, and usually starts with a lowercase letter. When you talk about a ‘Species’ it refers to both the Generic Name and Specific name. (Example: Pinus is a Genus, Pinus nigra is a species. In the name Pinus nigra, Pinus is the Generic name, nigra is the specific name).
Here is the fun part.
- Some names are a form of a person’s name, usually a botanist or someone involved in horticulture. Some are named after a famous or important person, or even someone Carl Linnaeus knew. You might recognize Jeffersonia, Lewisia, Clarkia, Einsteinia, Gaylussacia, and Victoria. Some others are not as recognizable but are a horticulture history lesson; Theophrasta named after the Father of Botany, Gerardia after a British herbalist, Dioscorea for the author of the Materia Medica. The benefit of being the father of modern taxonomy is that you get to name plants after your family and friends. There is a Linnaea after Linnaeus himself, Rudbeckia for Olaf Rudbeck a man he studied under, Moraea for his father in law, Dillenia after his friend at Oxford, and Kuhnia after one of his students.
- Other names are a combination of Greek or Latin words, which usually described the plant. Some examples are Liriodendron (lily-tree), Gymnocladus (naked-branch), Xanthoxylum (yellow-wood), Callicarpa (beautiful-fruit), and Oxydendrum (sour-tree). Sometimes Latin or Greek words were combined with another language, (which the rules considered bad usage), like Liquidambar, from Latin word for liquid and Arabic word for amber.
- Often when plants were discovered in foreign lands, the common name in the language of that country was used, (or a form of it) and Latinized. Some examples are Amelanchier and Asimina (French), Catalpa and Sassafras(Native American), Ginkgo and Tsuga (Japanese).
- Some names have mythical origin, given to them by the Greeks and Romans, or later by modern botanists. Examples are Nymphaea (water lilies) referring to water nymphs, Circaea (enchanter’s nightshade) referring to Circe the enchantress, Calypso referring to a sea nymph, and Theobroma (chocolate plant) which means ‘god’s food’.
Generic Names
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Many specific names are a descriptive adjective from the Latin phrases used before the two name system. This is the most common type of specific name, and you will likely recognize many of these: |
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Why
is the specific name spelled differently in Acer nigrum and Betula nigra?
If you’ve studied foreign languages, then you know about the gender
of a noun, and making words ‘agree’ with gender. (Acer is
neutral, so nigrum is the neutral form of the word, and Betula is feminine
so nigra is the feminine form of the word) This is used with Latin names
as well, the ending of the Specific Name must ‘agree’ with
the gender of the Generic name.
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Had enough? If not, we have put together a dictionary of plant names for the more curious and idle amongst you. If you want even more there are a number of good references out there. Thanks!
Hugh Johnson’s Encyclopedia of Trees
Plant Taxonomy- UW Platteville