Definition: Plant taxonomy is a system of classification for plants. We use the plant taxonomy developed by Linnaeus (1707-1778). Improving on the systems of his predecessors, Linnaeus simplified plant taxonomy through the "binomial" system. Linnaeus' system uses one Latin name to indicate the genus, and another to indicate the specific epithet. Together, the genus and epithet comprise the "species." E.g., our plant taxonomy classifies bittersweet nightshade as Solanum dulcamara, where the first Latin name is for the genus (nightshade), and the second is for the specific epithet (bittersweet).
- The species is a subset of the genus.
- The genus begins with a capital; the epithet with lower-case. Both are italicized.
- When we translate from Latin, we reverse the order of the names, putting the epithet before the genus.
- Sometimes you'll see a third name. In such cases, we're simply getting more specific, accounting for variation within a species. Most commonly, this third name is a cultivar, and it will appear in quotation marks.
- Sometimes yet another word is added after the genus name and epithet, which is neither italicized nor set off by quotation marks -- the name of the person who first described the plant. These names are sometimes abbreviated. When the name is abbreviated as "L," it stands for "Linnaeus."
- When you see a genus name, followed by the letter "x," followed by an epithet, this is an indication that the plant is a cross between two different plant species -- a "hybrid."
Examples:
Plant taxonomy becomes easier to learn after you recognize some terms that appear over and over, such as the use of reptans in the name of a creeper.
