What is Botanical Nomenclature? Understanding Plant Names

Botanical nomenclature is the system used to classify plants into groups for easier identification. Botanical nomenclature has been around for a long time, dating back as far as the 18th century, perhaps even longer, and thought to be developed by Carl von Linne, a Swedish scientist. Generally known by others through his Latin-deemed name of Linnaeus. Latin is often the language used for botanical nomenclature, but Greek terms have been used as well.

Botanical nomenclature is used for accuracy as the common names of plants often vary, including several names for one plant or sharing the same name with another. A plant may be referred to by its common name, but as each region varies from place to place, so do these common names. You might, for instance, call a plant by one name only to find out that this name is also used for another plant totally different from the one in which you are referring. Take, for example, the Money Plant (Lunaria annua). This plant adapted its name by the silver dollar-like seed pods it develops after flowering. On the other hand, some people call a commonly grown houseplant by this name as well. The Jade Plant (Crassula orata) is also sometimes referred to as the Money Plant in certain areas. This is the reasoning behind botanical nomenclature, to eradicate the confusion. This system is practiced throughout countries worldwide. Therefore, botanical nomenclature remains the same across the globe, making it much easier for gardeners to find and obtain all of their favorite plants.

So how does botanical nomenclature work? First of all, botanical nomenclature begins with a plant's first name-the genus. The genus is the plant group, of which all of the plants closely relate to one another and belong to the same family. The genus is often used in botanical nomenclature to describe the appearance or features of the plant but may also be used to honor its founder. You'll commonly find the genus written in italics with its first letter capitalized. The second word in a plant's botanical nomenclature is known as the plant species and is also italicized but in lowercase. This is what differentiates the plant from others. The species of botanical nomenclature is also used to describe the plant's attributes. There are times when you will also notice a third word in botanical nomenclature. Although, these may be given on occasion to plants, it is used to refer to a particular variety or cultivar. When species of plants have been hybridized, or crossed, an �x' is usually included within its botanical nomenclature.

Botanical nomenclature is the formal naming of plants. Botanical nomenclature may be closely linked to plant taxonomy; however, it is quite different in that botanical nomenclature is meant to be used simply as a means of identification for plants, while plant taxonomy generally is used to determine what plant belongs to what species or sub-species, what species belongs to what genus, what genus belongs to what family, and so on. Botanical nomenclature is changed or amended from time to time in order to accommodate for newly bred plants as well as new discoveries. As a gardener, this can get a bit confusing, especially if you've been accustomed to calling a particular plant by one name and then having to get reacquainted with it as another name. In spite of its occasional changes, however, botanical nomenclature is still considered to be the most reliable way to identify plants.

Gardeners might prefer to use common names rather than scientific names because they often perceive their botanical nomenclature as being too difficult to learn, but after confusing your favorite plants with others by the same name, you'll eventually find that this method of identification is much needed. Taking the time to become acquainted with a plant's botanical nomenclature will, in the end, leave you with a profound sense of appreciation, especially when your beautiful Goldenstar, aka: Chrysogonum virginianum, turns out to be Goldenstar, aka: Bloomeria crocea.