Plants - Naming and Classification

This is aimed at helping students plant selection

Introduction

Taxonomy is how we classify plants and animals.

Classifying is the sorting out and grouping.

Plant Naming

For naming plants, we use the binomial system. This allows us to avoid the confusion of common names that are often common amongst many plants and differ across locations.

Binomial system for plant naming

The binomial system is an international system used for botanical naming meaning two names in Latin. In the system we divide plants up into two names the Genus and species with some additions we will talk about later.

• The genus is a category of plants within a family.

• The species often describes a characteristic of the plant that may differ or be more exaggerated to others within the genus. E.g. In Salvia officinalis, officinalis tells us that it is medicinal or used in herbalism. Salvia officinalis is culinary sage.

• Plants get reclassified from time to time. So you may see synonyms for the genus.

Writing using the binomial system

When we write botanical names on the computer the Genus will start with an uppercase letter with the remaining in lower case in italics. The species name will be all in lower case also in italics. E.g. Salvia officinalis

When handwriting we usually underline rather than italicising, as it is harder to do clearly. E.g. Salvia officinalis

Families

Plant families are filled with plants with commonalities. They might not be obvious from first look though. Often, they are based on flower characteristics and the form of the plants can vary widely. Knowing the family of the plant can give you some clues about uses, origins and tolerances of the plant.

Family names end in aceae as in Asteraceae.