4.

Botanical nomenclature
Concept of nomenclature:
Nomenclature is one of the main objective of systematic botany. Nomenclature
means giving names to the plants. The name of the plants differs from place to place and
language to language. Such name is known as common name. Thus, common names are
not uniform and creating confusion. Hence to avoid this problem, plants are given
scientific names, which are known as botanical names.
Nomenclature is the naming of a taxon correctly. The names are given according
to the rules of botanical nomenclature, which are framed by International Botanical
Congress which meets at regular intervals of five or ten years. A new name is given to a
taxon. Thus, as more and more areas are explored, more plants become known to the
scientific world and bear new names.
Botanical nomenclature is in accordance with principles of International Code of
Nomenclature (ICN) of plants. According to ICN names are in Latin language or that
have been Latinised from Greek. These names are written uniform by the specific manner
and consist of generic name and specific name.
The attributing scientific name to the plants is known as botanical nomenclature.
The process of botanical nomenclature was started in 1753 after publication of “Species
plantarum”.
Brief history of nomenclature:
To overcome the difficulties raised by common names, botanist have given
scientific names to all the known plants. It was agreed by botanists of the world that
scientific names should be in Latin. Latin names were mostly taken from common names
for the sake of correctness, but they had to be supplemented by adjectives. A single name
thus used to be followed by one to many descriptive term or adjectives. Thus, gave rise to
multiple terms. Thus, the polynomials were evolved. Polynomials have been used by
many taxonomists including Linnaeus (1753).
In the early 18th century, botanical names were in the form of short descriptive
phrases i.e. Polynomials. These polynomials included a single word name for the plant
followed by a lengthy list of descriptive terms. Different polynomials existed for the same
plant and it was difficult to remember some longer polynomials. e.g. Sida acuta Burm
was named by Plunker as Althaea coromandelina angustis prolongis foliis semine
civorneo.
Casper Bauhin (1560-1624) was the first to implement binomial system, though
he was not consistent in its use. Later on, this system was chosen by Carolus Linnaus who
used binomial for the plants descriped in his ‘ Species plantarum’(1953) and later works.

Binomial nomenclature:
Many plants are useful in some way or other, have common or local names. Widely
distributed plants have a many number of common names. The common name differs
from place to place and creates confusions regarding its identification and use e.g. In
Ayurveda, the mango is known by over 50 different names. The common names have a
limited usage and are not universal.
To avoid this problem raised by common name, botanists have given scientific names
to plants. The binomial names to various taxa in accordance with ICBN rules. Binomial
names are uniform and widely accepted all over the world. These are generally in Latin
languages.
Binomial nomenclature is the system of giving definite and scientific name to plants
having two parts or names. In binomial, the first name is generic name and is noun while
second name or part is specific name and is adjective or noun. Thus, a binomial
nomenclature of a species is a combination of a generic name and specific name. Generic
names are usually singular and begin with a capital letter while specific name is a
descriptive adjective which begins with small letter.
e.g. Allium cepa L.(Onion)
Allium sativum L. (Garlic)
Besides generic and specific names, the name of the author who described the species
firstly is also written in abbreviation after species name. Here L. indicate for Linnaeus
who described the species firstly. Binomials are always printed in italics, underlined when
typed or when written with hand.
Binomial nomenclature has following advantages-
1. Binomial names are universally accepted and are effective for communication.
2. These names are uniform throughout the world and widely used.
3. They avoid the confusion about correct identification of plant.
4. It is most convenient and effective method of naming of plant.
5. Binomial names are given following rules of ICN of plants.
6. Binomial names of plants are stable.
7. The binomial names are short, distinctive in meaning and easy to remember.
8. These names are governed by definite set of rules and regulations strictly followed
by taxonomist all over the world. Hence, there is no change or ambiguity in these
names.

International Code for Nomenclature of Algae, Fungi and Plants (ICN)-

Principles, Rules and Recommendations:
The International Code of Nomenclature(ICN) for algae, fungi, and plants is the
set of rules and recommendations that govern the scientific naming of all organisms
traditionally treated as algae, fungi, plants, whether fossil or non-fossil, including blue-
green algae (Cyanobacteria), chytrids, oomycetes, slime moulds, and photosynthetic
protists with their taxonomically related non-photosynthetic groups. Before 2011 it was
called the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).

This edition of the Code includes the decisions of the Nomenclature Section of the
XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC), which took place in Shenzhen, China in July
2017. This Shenzhen Code supersedes the Melbourne Code (2012), published after the
XVIII IBC in Melbourne, Australia in 2011. The rules of the Shenzhen Code became
effective immediately upon acceptance of the resolution at the XIX IBC on 29 July 2017,
that the decisions and appointments of its Nomenclature Section be approved.
The Shenzhen Code in its final form was published on 26 June 2018.

Assignment of plant names utilizing a formal system. Two basic activities are
governed by the ICN are viz., 1) Naming new taxa and 2) Determining the correct name
for previously named taxa (altered in some way). ICN consist of III divisions followed by
VII appendices.

Division I: provides set of 6 principles of ICN-

Principle I: The nomenclature of algae, fungi, and plants is independent of zoological and
prokaryotic nomenclature.
Principle II: The application of names of taxonomic groups is determined by means of
nomenclatural types.
Principle III: The nomenclature of a taxonomic group is based upon priority of
publication.
Principle IV: Each taxonomic group with a particular circumscription, position, and rank
can bear only one correct name, the earliest that is in accordance with the rules, except in
specified cases.
Principle V: Scientific names of taxonomic groups are treated as Latin regardless of their
derivation.
Principle VI: The rules of nomenclature are retroactive unless expressly limited.

Rules and Recommendations of ICN:

The following points highlight the eight main rules and recommendations of
nomenclature.
1. Nomenclatural Type:
The nomenclatural type is that constituent element (a specimen, or a
description or a figure) of a taxon to which the name is permanently attached. This
need not be the most typical or representative element but is the original material
on which the description of the taxon is based. Nomenclature types such as
holotype, isotype, syntype, paratype, lectotype, neotype etc.
2. Rule of Priority:
One of the principle of nomenclature is based on priority of publication. It
is known as principle of priority. It provides a stable method of naming taxonomic
groups. The rule of priority which state that each family or taxon of lower rank
can bear only one correct name.

In the case of a family or a taxon below the rank of a family the earliest
legitimate name should be considered as valid (or correct). For this purpose 1st
May 1753 is taken as the earliest date for all plants excepting the Fungi, some
Algae, and the Musci other than the Sphagnaceae.
This means the names appearing in Linnaeus’s Species Plantarum are the
earliest names for the purpose of consideration of the Rule of Priority; those
published earlier are not to be given priority.

One of the following example is a nomenclature history of genus-

Polygala Linn. (1753)
 Poligala Neak (1768)
Polygaloides Agosti (1770). According to principle of priority the earliest name
Polygala Linn. is the correct name for the genus.

3. Names of Taxa:
The name of a species is a binary combination consisting of the name of
the genus followed by a single specific epithet. The name of a genus is a subs-
tantive in the singular number. The specific epithet is an adjective and is of the
same gender as the generic name, or is a noun in apposition to the generic name.
The specific epithet must not exactly repeat the generic name.
4. Effective and Valid Publication:
Publication is effective, when distribution of printed matter (an article) to the
general public or at least botanical institutions with libraries accessible to botanist
through the scientific reputed journals.
The name should be published according to code (article) is called valid pub-
lication. Some of the important conditions for effective and valid publication. are-

i) Those published earlier to 1st Jan. 1935 are considered valid even if the
description or diagnosis were not in Latin. In the case of Algae the date has
been fixed as 1st Jan. 1958 instead of 1st Jan. 1935.

ii) Publication of a new name of the rank of family or below on or after 1st January,
1958 is not considered valid if the nomenclature type is not indicated.

iii) The name of a taxon below the rank of a genus is not validly published unless the
name of the genus or species to which it is assigned is validly published.

iv) Who first validly published the name of a taxon is the author of that name. It is
necessary to cite the name of the author after the name of the taxon.

5. Retention of Specific and Infra-specific Epithets:

When a species is transferred to another genus without change of rank the specific
epithet must be retained. If the name of a genus is changed being illegitimate, the binary
combinations for all the species under that genus should be changed also and in doing so
the new generic name should be used retaining the older specific epithets.

This rule applies equally to infra-specific taxa. A specific epithet is not

illegitimate merely because it was originally published under an illegitimate generic
name; it is to be taken into consideration for purpose of priority.

6. Rejection of Names:
A name is to be rejected if it is used in different senses and for that reason has
become a source of error. A name is to be rejected if it is based on a type consisting of
two or more entirely discordant elements. A name is to be rejected also if it is based on a
monstrosity.

7. Splitting of a Genus:
When a genus is divided into 2 or more genera the original generic name must be
retained for one of the smaller genera which includes the type species of the undivided
genus. This rule applies equally to cases of division of species.

8. Synonym and Basionym:

All names of a taxon other than the valid names are synonyms of that taxon. When
the name of a species or of an infra-specific taxon is changed the synonym of which the
epithet is to be taken for the valid name, is Basionym for that taxon.

‘Type’ specimen and its types (Holotype, Paratype, Isotype, Lectotype,

Neotype): Concept of typification
One of important principle of ICN is nomenclature type. It is desirable to know
the ‘type’ in details. Article 7 of the code states that the application of the names of taxa
of the rank of family or below is determined by means of nomenclature type. A
nomenclature type is that constituent element of a taxon to which the name of the taxon is
permanently attached, whether as a correct name or as a synonym. There are following
kinds of types-
i) Holotype- Holotype is the one specimen or other element used by the author or
designated by him as the nomenclature type. Holotype may consist of a single
plant or other element usually mounted either on a herbarium sheet or
equivalent preparation such as a box, jar or microscope slide. Holotype is a
specimen collected and used by original author and expressed at the time of its
original publication.
ii) Paratype- An additional type, a paratype is sometimes used, which is specimen
other than an isotype cited by author while describing a taxon. However, in
cases where an author has cited two or more specimens as types, the remaining
cited specimens are paratypes.
iii) Isotype- An isotype is any duplicate of holotype, it is always specimen. Plant
specimen is generally collected in sufficient numbers (Minimum 4 specimens)
out of which when one is selected as holotype others are considered as isotype.
iv) Lectotype- A lectotype, is a specimen or other element selected from original
material to serve as nomenclature type when no holotype was designated at the
time of publication. Some times as long as holotype is missing or destroyed.
v) Neotype- A neotype is a specimen or other element selected to serve as
nomenclature type as long as all of the material on which the name of taxon
was based is missing.

Coining of Genus and Species names:

The plants are named by giving them generic name and specific epithets. There
are following methods to coin generic names and specific epithets.
Generic names- following are the general rules for coining generic names:
1. Generic names should be short, easy to remember and distinctive in meaning.
2. They should be coined according to the rules of ICN.
3. Generic names are suggested to commemorate great botanist e.g. Linnaea (for
Linnaeus father of modern botany).
4. Some generic names are coined by combination of two words e.g. Gymnocladus(
for naked club).
5. Some generic names are coined from a geographical area such as mountain,
country, river etc.(Cassia from mountain of N. Syria).
6. Generic names are coined from the some characters of plants e.g. Cercocarpous (
for coiled fruit)
7. Some generic names are coiled from common name of various language.
Species names:
Specific epithets (names) may be derived from any source like eminent scientist,
old common name, geographical area, special characters of plants etc. Following are
general rules for coining of specific epithets:
1. Each species of plant has only one correct scientific name, one peculiar to that
species alone.
2. Specific epithet are some times used in commemoration of some person usually a
botanist who discovered a particular species e.g. bauhinia.
3. Specific epithets are coined after habitats in which the plant grows e.g. arvensis
(of cultivated field), aquatica ( in water), Valgaris (of barren field).
4. Many specific epithets are coined on the basis of characters of plant or structure
e.g. cordifolia (heart shaped leaves), grandiflora (large flower).
5. Sometimes the specific epithets are coined by indicative locality or country e.g.
indica (Indian origin), mexicana (Mexican origin), chinensis (Chinese origin)
6. Specific epithets may be coined from the local names e.g. Carissa carandas
(Marathi ward Karwand).
Ranks and endings of taxa names:
The plants are classified in to different categories. The higher category such as
division while lower category of classification such as species. Mostly the name of
species is the basic unit of classification. In classification each category is known as
rank. The major ranks of classification in taxonomy, in descending order are
kingdom, division, class, order, family, genus and species.
The group of any rank known as taxa. The major ranks and ending of taxa are as
follow.
Ranks/ category Ending of taxa name Example
Division Phyta Magniliophyta
Class opsida Magnoliopsida
Sub-class idae Magmoliidae
Order ales Malvales
Sub-order ineae chenopodineae
Family aceae Solanaceae
Sub-family oideae Rosoideae
The name of taxonomic groups which do not confirm these ending should be
changed. According to these rules some names are changed e.g.
Family- Cruciferae- Brassicaceae
Compositae- Asteraceae
Graminae – Poaceae
Following are some of the names sanctioned by long usage, are treated as
exceptions to the rule. If, however, botanists intend to follow Article 18 strictly, they
are authorized to use alternative names.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conserved names Altered names
1. Cruciferae - Brassicaceae
2. Leguminosae - Fabaceae
3. Compositae - Asteraceae
4. Labiate - Lamiaceae
5. Graminae - Poaceae

The botanist are authorized to create additional rank by adding a prefix “sub” to
next higher category e.g. sub-order, sub-family etc.

Single, double and multiple authority citations:

For the indication of the name of taxon should be accurate and complete and date
of publication may be verified. This is essential to cite the name of the author who
first validly published the name of taxon. It is recommended that if the authors name
is to long, it should be abbreviated. Some of the taxon describe individually by single
author then taxon name is followed by single citation.
e.g. Hibiscus L.
L. for Carlous Linnaeus who described the taxon firstly.
When a genus or taxon of a lower rank is altered in rank but retains its name, the
author who first time published this as legitimate name must be cited in parentheses,
followed by the name of second author who effected the alteration. This is called
double citation.
e.g. Citrus aurantium var. grandis L., it is promoted to rank of species by Osbeck;
then new name of the plant becomes Citrus aurantium (l.) Osbeck.
Use of et.al when taxon is published by more than three authors. The name of
taxon must be appended by the first author and is followed by et.al.
e.g. Delphium viscosum Hooker F. et.al