The scientific name of
a species is formed by the combination of two terms The first name
(capitalized) is the
genus
of the organism, the second (not
capitalized) is its
species.
How to
Write the Botanical (Scientific) Name of a
plant:
There are precise convention to follow when
writing a scientific name.
Genus Name
-
The genus name is written first.
-
The genus name is always underlined or italicized.
-
The first letter of the genus name is always
capitalized
Example:
Astrophytum or Astrophytum
Specific name
- The specific epithet is
written second.
- The specific epithet is
always underlined or italicized.
- The first letter of the
specific epithet name is never capitalized.
Example: myriostigma or
myriostigma
Scientific Name - The scientific name of this
plant would appear as follows:
Astrophytum
myriostigma
or Astrophytum myriostigma
Mutations?
Frequently a particular individual of a species will
mutate to a diverse colour, size, or growth
habit. These
characteristics are passed on to its descendants (offsprings).
When this happens, a population of
plants exists with
the same scientific name, but a sub-group displays different
characteristics. If the mutated group is significantly different from
the parents and is stable (the traits are passed on from generation to
generation), then this new group of plants is often assigned a
variety name.
Variety Names
A.
Variety names are given when the mutation
occurs in nature. (E.g. a mutation occurs in a wild arid land)
B.
The abbreviation var. is used to
signify that the mutation is a variety. var. is placed after the
specific epithet and is not underlined or italicized.
Example: Astrophytum myriostigma var.
1.
The variety name is written after var.
2.
Capitalize the first letter of the variety
name only if it is a proper noun. (e.g. Pediocactus
peeblesianus var. Menzelii)
3.
Underline or italicize the variety name.
Example: Astrophytum myriostigma
var. strongylogonum or Astrophytum
myriostigma var. strongylogonum
Form (forma)
Names
A.
Form names are given for sporadic or minor
variations occurring among individuals of any population,
mainly in horticultural applications ((E.g. a
mutation in
spine length or
flower colour)
B.
The abbreviation f. is used to signify
that the mutation is a form. forma (f.)
is placed after the specific epithet and is not
underlined or italicized.
Example: Astrophytum myriostigma f..
1.
The form name is written after forma (f.).
2.
do not capitalize the first letter (e.g.
Astrophytum
myriostigma f..
quadricostata)
3.
Underline or italicize the form name.
Example:
Astrophytum
myriostigma forma quadricostata
or Astrophytum myriostigma f.
quadricostata
Mutations can also take place because of human
involvement such as breeding,
applying mutagens,
propagation, or by cultural practices. In these cases, the new group
of mutated plants is called a cultivar. "Cultivar" is an
abbreviated form of cultivated variety. The mutated plants are assigned
a cultivar name.
Cultivar Names
A.
Cultivar names are given when the mutation
occurs due to human influence.
Examples: a mutation occurs in a green house.
B.
The abbreviation cv. is used to signify
that the mutation is a cultivar. cv. is placed after the specific
epithet and is not underlined or italicized.
Example: Astrophytum myriostigma
cv. Onzuka.
or single quotes are used instead of cv.
Example: Astrophytum myriostigma
'Onzuka'
- The cultivar name is written
after cv. or within the single quotes.
- Capitalize the
cultivar name.
- Never
underline or italicize the cultivar name.
Example: Astrophytum myriostigma
cv. Onzuka. or Astrophytum myriostigma
‘Onzuka'
Also after a taxonomic revision that results in a species being
reclassified in another genus, the specific epithet must remain the same
as the one in the basionym. For
instance the cactus Eriosyce napina (current
name attributed by Kattermann in 1994) was formerly classified by
Philippi in 1872 as Echinocactus napinus
(basionym).
When a species name changes, to show the connection to the source of the
new name, botanists retain the
name of the basionym author by placing it in parentheses, the authority
of the new combination is placed after the parentheses (e.g.
Eriosyce napina (Philippi) Kattermann 1994). |