Andrea B. Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Updated: 25 April 2015 Botanical NomenclatureThere are many online references showing the proper form for botanical names. Frank Bisby's 1994 write-up is particularly clear: Plant Names in Botanical Databases. But do search out other sources - including the Wikipedia entries - to learn more about this. Formal botanical naming for non-cultivated plants is governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN). That is a Wikipedia link which will lead you to other links. See also Botanical nomenclature and Botanical name. I'm going to list the basics (with a nod to Bisby's paper) here for our easy reference. If you encounter anything beyond this, you should be able to search it out online or post a query in this thread for help. Of course, comments, questions and typo corrections are encouraged. Required Full Name of a Botanical SpeciesThe full name of a botanical species must consist of at least three parts.genus name: capitalized in italicsspecies name: uncapitalized in italicsIf the species is not known, then use the un-italicized abbreviation 'sp.' in place of the species name.There is more below about this.author citation: capitalized, typically abbreviated but not mandatory, no italics.If the species is not known, then provide the genus author.example: Hieracium scrabum Michx.example: Gebera sp. L.Botanical Author CitationsA plant's author is the botanist who first published the name of the plant as per the requirements of the ICN. An author string may be more complex to indicate revisions and other details of a plant's taxonomic status.You can read more about author citations here: Author citation (botany).If you want to see more about the botanist behind the abbreviation: List of botanists by author abbreviation. Examples of complex author citations:Note the use of the terms 'ex' and 'in', use of parentheses, multiple authors and publication reference.Andropogon aromaticus Sieber ex Schult.Verrucaria aethiobola Wahlenb. in Acharius, Methodus, Suppl.: 17. 1803Helianthemum conquense (Borja & Rivas Goday ex G.López) Mateo & V.J.Arán ResóBotanical Names which include Subspecies, Variety or FormFirst, please note that we are not asking you to attempt subspecies identification for any posts here on UVP. Subspecies identification is often extremely difficult and may rely on microscopic tissue analysis, DNA analysis, seed morphology or similar not-easily-performed tasks. Within a species, the ICBN allows further identification of a plant as a subspecies, variety or form. Subvariety and subform are also permitted by the ICBN. Subspecies, variety and form are infraspecific (within a species) designations and each has a marker and a botanical author. Designating a botanical subspecies is generally based on recognition of obvious grouped differences within a species and the lack of interbreeding with other species members even though possible. Geographical isolation or ecosystem differences, for example, may cause subspecies formation. When a taxonomist creates a subspecies designation, denoted by 'subsp.', the remaining plants within the species are automatically grouped into their own subspecies named with the species name. For example, Solidago altissima was split into two subspecies by Rydberg (and later that split was refined by Semple). Rydberg named the new subspecies gilvocanescens. The remaining Solidago altissima thus became part of the default subspecies named altissima. No subspecies author is given for the default subspecies.Solidago altissima L. subsp. gilvocanescens (Rydberg) SempleSolidago altissima L. subsp. altissimaA botanical form designation, denoted by 'f.', is used to refer to very small differences within a species such as color or leaf shape. It is very common, for example, to see the white flowered Vinca minor designated as:Vinca minor L. f. albaDesignating a botanical variety is typically up to the taxonomist and is not clear-cut but lies somewhere between the larger differences between subspecies and the very minor differences between forms.Some botanists consider variety and form labeling unnecessary. Let's just say that subspecies, varieties and forms cause a lot of discussion and disagreement. Here's a variety example:Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.Format for Names including Subspecies, Variety or Form genus name: capitalized in italics.species name: uncapitalized in italics.species author: capitalized, typically abbreviated but not mandatory, no italics.infraspecific marker: 'subsp.' for subspecies, 'var.' for variety, or 'f.' for form.abbreviated and not italicized.infraspecific name: uncapitalized in italics.infraspecific author: capitalized, typically abbreviated but not mandatory, no italics.Botanical Name When Species Is Unknown or UncertainIf only the genus of the plant is known and the species cannot be identified, then follow the genus name with the abbreviation 'sp.' (for 'species'). Add the genus author name.If the genus of the plant is known and the species is probably identified, but not with certainty, then follow the species name with the abbreviation 'cf.' (for 'compare') to indicate the species the plant most closely identifies. Use the 'cf.' designation sparingly.Neither 'sp.' nor 'cf.' is capitalized or italicized.Examples:Helianthus sp. (L.)Helianthus cf. divaricatus (L.) Cultivar NamesThe unique proper names of cultivars are governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants under the auspices of the ICN. Click that link for further details. The naming schemes are quite complex. An additional complication is added when a cultivar is given another name for marketing purposes.For posting here on UVP, we will accept whatever name you find associated with the cultivar taken from the garden marker or plant tag sold with the plant.Note that the cultivar name is capitalized in single quotes after the genus/species/author. Here are some actual examples from our Cultivar section:Angelonia angustifolia Bentham 'Anbluim' PP22390There was a US plant patent number associated with this named cultivar.Crocus L. sp.Here neither the species nor the cultivar name was known for these garden crocusso the 'sp.' abbreviation was used after the genus name.Gaillardia x grandiflora Van Houtte 'Goblin'The 'x' indicates a hybrid cultivar.Echinacea 'Marmalade' PP22602This particular echinacea is a cross between a proprietary echinacea hybrid with an unknown echinacea hybrid.Thus it gets only a genus name and cultivar name in the literature so far. Link to comment
DaveO Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thank you Andrea, This will come in very useful for a mere chemist trying to get it right. The description of Eremophila by botanical experts seem to be lagging several years behind the field workers who go out and find what they think are new species and publish field guide books. The names end up being something like Eremophila sp. Weld Range and that's all that is on the label of the plants from the "cutting edge" propagators. A similar problem occurs with hybrids which the experts think look as if they came from the suggested parents in the wild. Dave Link to comment
Andrea B. Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Dave, as you have noted, the full identification of Eremophila - as with many other genera in the world - is lagging a bit. All we can do is such cases is just "the best we can" with the naming. Something you might want to consider as you photograph your Eremophila is to add supplementary identification photos of the leaves and/or other parts of the plant such as the leaf stems and flower stems. Also, close-ups of the inner flower are intersting and useful for further identification. Link to comment
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