Botanical nomenclature is the scientific, formal naming of plants. It is related to, but not the same as, taxonomy. It is a naming and classification system for plants that enables scientists and botanists to communicate about plant species in a uniform and widely recognized manner. Plant taxonomy is concerned with grouping and classifying plants, while botanical nomenclature gives names to the outcomes of this process. Linnaeus’ 1753 Species Plantarum is the beginning point for contemporary botanical nomenclature.
The basic goal of botanical nomenclature is to provide each plant species with a unique and stable name, which helps to avoid confusion and promotes clarity in scientific communication. The International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN) governs it, which has replaced the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN). The code of nomenclature also applies to fossil plants.
Within the confines of that code, another set of restrictions, the (ICBN), applies to plant cultivars that have been intentionally altered or selected by humans. The International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN), formerly known as the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN), governs the rules and principles for naming plants.
Here are some key aspects of botanical nomenclature:
- Binomial System: Each plant species is given a unique two-part name, known as a binomial, consisting of a genus name (capitalized and italicized) followed by a species epithet (lowercase and italicized). For example, in the scientific name “Rosa canina,” “Rosa” is the genus name, and “canina” is the species epithet.
- Author Citations: The name of the person who first described and formally published the plant species is often included in parentheses after the scientific name. For example, “Rosa canina L.” indicates that Carl Linnaeus (represented by “L”) first described the species.
- Priority Principle: The principle of priority means that the first validly published name for a plant species takes precedence over later names. If two or more names are proposed for the same species, the oldest validly published name is used.
- Type Specimens: To establish and clarify the identity of a plant species, a type specimen (or several specimens) is designated. The type specimen serves as a reference point for the species.
- Cultivated Plants: Cultivated variations and cultivars (cultivated varieties) are frequently distinguished by additional names or designations. These names are not subject to the same stringent regulations as scientific names.
Botanical nomenclature is necessary for scientific study, conservation activities, and worldwide plant communication. It ensures that everyone, regardless of native language, uses the same names for the same species and provides a stable framework for the study of plant biology and ecology.
