Botany Ch. 16: Plant Names and Classification

Questions and Answers

Who was the first person to attempt to organize and classify plants?

Theophrastus

How many plants did Theophrastus classify?

nearly 500

How did Theophrastus classify/differentiate plants?

into trees, shrubs, herbs, distinctions based on leaf characteristics

When was the distinction between monocots and dicots made?

13th century Signup and view all the answers

When were details of fruit flower structure, in addition to form and habit, used in classification schemes?

18th century Signup and view all the answers

What are polynomials?

latin phrase names given to a plant Signup and view all the answers

What is the first word of the latin phrase for polynomials and binomials?

the genus Signup and view all the answers

What was the first book used by taxonomists to assign names?

Species Plantarum Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote Species Plantarum?

Carolus Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

How many words did Linnaeus limit each Latin phrase to?

maximum of 12 words Signup and view all the answers

In Species Plantarum what is included?

reference list of all the Latin phrase names previously given to plants, changed some phrases to reflect relationships, limited phrases to maximum 12 words, single word in the margin for species designation, replaced all phrase names with abbreviated ones in binomial system, organized all plants into 24 classes based on number of stamens, his arrangement was for convenience Signup and view all the answers

Who established the Binomial System of Nomenclature?

Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of the Binomial System?

Genus species Author Signup and view all the answers

What is the abbreviated designation in Linnaeus's nomenclature?

single word in margin + generic name Signup and view all the answers

How many classes did Linnaeus organize all known plants into?

24 Signup and view all the answers

What did Linnaeus base his 24 classes on?

number of stamens Signup and view all the answers

How was Linnaeus' system arranged?

for convenience Signup and view all the answers

Who first introduced 'species' as a classification term for plants?

Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

What does ICBN stand for?

International Code of Botanical Nomenclature Signup and view all the answers

What is the ICBN?

book with the standardized rules for naming and classifying plants Signup and view all the answers

When was the first ICBN meeting?

1867 in Paris Signup and view all the answers

How often do botanists meet to discuss the ICBN?

every 6 years Signup and view all the answers

Where do botanists meet to discuss the ICBN?

International Botanical Congress Signup and view all the answers

What is the recognized starting point for all scientific names of plants?

Linnaeus's Species Plantarum Signup and view all the answers

What has priority over all others in the ICBN?

Linnaeus's binomials Signup and view all the answers

Who follows the ICBN rules?

all botanists, botanists of all nationalities Signup and view all the answers

What is the ICBN's 2 Steps to have a new plant officially recognized?

DNA sequence data deposited in a public database, annotated herbarium specimen of the plant Signup and view all the answers

What does ICNCP stand for?

International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants Signup and view all the answers

When was the proposal for an independent set of nomenclature rules for cultivated plants published?

1952 by Joseph Lanjouw and colleagues Signup and view all the answers

When was the first edition of the ICNCP published?

1953 Signup and view all the answers

What is a cultigen?

a cultivated plant whose origin or selection is primarily due to intentional human activity Signup and view all the answers

How can a cultigen arise?

deliberate or accidental hybridization, selection via existing cultivated stock Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theophrastus and Plant Classification

Theophrastus, a 4th-century BC philosopher, was the first to classify plants.
He categorized nearly 500 plants based on characteristics like leaves, creating divisions among trees, shrubs, and herbs.

Development of Plant Classification

The distinction between monocots and dicots emerged in the 13th century, focusing on stem structure.
In the 18th century, classification schemes included details about fruit and flower structures alongside plant forms and habits.

Nomenclature Systems

Polynomials are Latin phrase names used for plant classification, containing multiple words.
Linnaeus introduced the binomial system, a simplified two-word naming convention consisting of genus and species.

Key Works and Contributions

Linnaeus authored "Species Plantarum" in 1753, a foundational text for taxonomists.
This book had essential elements: a reference list of earlier names, restructured phrases to show relationships, limits on names to 12 words, and the introduction of a two-word (binomial) naming system.

Linnaeus's Classification System

Linnaeus organized plants into 24 classes primarily based on the number of stamens for convenience.
His system did not accurately reflect phylogenetic relationships.

International Standards and Codes

The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) standardizes rules for naming and classifying plants.
The first ICBN meeting occurred in 1867 in Paris, with subsequent meetings held every six years at the International Botanical Congress.

Recognition and Priority

Linnaeus's "Species Plantarum" serves as the starting point for all scientific plant names.
Linnaeus's binomials hold priority under ICBN regulations, ensuring consistent naming across all botanical disciplines.

Recognition of New Plant Species

To officially recognize a new plant, two steps must be followed: depositing DNA sequence data in a public database and providing an annotated herbarium specimen accessible for public review.

Cultivated Plants and Nomenclature

The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) was proposed in 1952 and saw its first edition published in 1953, focusing on cultivated species.
A cultigen is defined as a cultivated plant primarily developed through intentional human activity, which can arise from hybridization or selection from existing cultivars.

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Test your knowledge of plant classification with flashcards from Chapter 16 of Botany. Learn about Theophrastus and his early contributions to the organization of plants. Review key concepts including plant categories and classification methods.