Origins of Plant Names

Getting to the Root of Binomial Nomenclature

One of the first things you will learn in an introductory Botany or Horticulture class is how plants are named. Plant taxonomy is the science that identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants – think Kingdom, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. The scientific nomenclature for plant naming was originally developed in the 1700s by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who first placed plants into groups based on similar characteristics. This organization of plants provides a framework for naming novel specimens and reflects relationships between plants, with exact guidelines for naming plants laid out in the International Code of Nomenclature for cultivated plants.

Binomial nomenclature is a two-term naming system using mostly Latin (though words introduced from other languages may also be used) and is the basis for international identification of and communication about plants. Proper nouns, such as the person or place a plant was discovered can also be used, but “latinized”. The first part is the generic name which identifies which genus (plural Genera) each plant belongs to. This word always starts with an upper-case letter. The second word is the specific name, also known as the specific epithet, which distinguishes each species within a genus. This word always starts with a lower-case letter. Both are always printed in italics or underlined when handwritten. Ex: Monstera deliciosa. Monstera is the generic name, and deliciosa is the specific name.

Taking a few moments to look at a plant’s botanical or Latin name is an awful lot of weekend fun. Over time you may notice patterns and meaning. The assignment of a genus is determined by the lineage of plants and furthermore monophyly (of a common ancestor with lineal descendants) and distinctness (ecology, morphology, biogeography, and DNA). Specific names are more fun and often a describe a characteristic of the plant, the place of origin, or the person who discovered it. Using Latin binomials including specific epithet when discussing and referring to plants can also help avoid confusion, a problem that people may encounter when using only common names such as “money tree.” Being able to understand and utilize both common and botanical names is crucial in communicating clearly about plants with other plant people.

Species names can indicate the color of a flower or leaf:

Species names can identify the leaf shape:

Plant characteristics:

Plant shape:

Species names can also indicate where a plant originates:

Get your flash cards out. It’s time to study.

You may notice sometimes plant names will have more than just the typical Latin binomial. Botanical names may also have a variety name (var.), a form (F.), or a sub-species (ssp.), a subcategory of species. These additions generally describe plants that are different from others in a species, but not different enough to warrant a new species classification. Additionally, plant names may have a cultivar (from the term “cultivated variety”) following the Latin binomial, signified either by “cv.,” or by single quotations surrounding the cultivar name (e.g., Physocarpus opulifolius‘Diablo’). Hybrids, commonly produced through the crossing of two or more species or cultivars, generally have exceedingly long Latin names and are instead generally referred to by simply using their genus followed by an “X” to signify that is a hybrid, and then the cultivar name in quotations (e.g., Weigela X ‘Crimson Kisses’). Being able to decipher these Latin names can also help in knowing how to care for or propagate a plant. For example, hybrid plants are typically vegetatively propagated because they either fail to produce viable seed or do not produce seed true to the hybridized plant itself.

Being familiar with Latin binomials and comfortable with their usage certainly has its perks!