correctly
writing pinguicula names
Joseph
Clemens (USA) and Eric Partrat (France)
The
informations below comes mostly from the following links and exemples with
carnivorous plants have been added.
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/h202/labs/lab3/home.html
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/h202/labs/lab3/sciname.html
http://www.life.uiuc.edu/plantbio/260/commonlyused.html
http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/gardenflora/taxa.htm
http://webusers.anet-chi.com/~manytimes/page35.htm#S
The
system of nomenclature used today is based on the binomial system of
nomenclature, developed by Linnaeus in the late 1700's. The binomial system of
nomenclature is structured so that the scientific name of a plant consists of
two names:
(1)
the genus or generic name, and (2) the specific epithet or species name. There
are rules to follow when writing a scientific 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
: Pinguicula or Pinguicula
-
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:
moranensis or moranensis
The
scientific name of this plant would appear as follows:
Pinguicula
moranensis or Pinguicula
moranensis
The
evolution of plant life is based on mutations, which are constantly occurring.
Very often a particular individual of a species will mutate to a different
color, size, or growth habit. These characteristics are passed on to its
progeny (offspring). When this happens, a population of pants exists with the
same scientific name, but a sub-group exhibits 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.
1.
Variety names are given when the mutation occurs in nature.
Examples:
a mutation occurs in Mexico
2.
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:
Pinguicula moranensis var.
3.
The variety name is written after var.
4.
Capitalize the first letter of the variety name only if it is a
proper noun.
5.
Underline or italicize the variety name.
Example:
Pinguicula moranensis var.
neovolcanica or Pinguicula moranensis
var. neovolcanica
Mutations
can also occur because of human interventions 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.
1.
Cultivar names are given when the mutation occurs due to human
influence.
Examples:
a mutation occurs in a greenhouse
2.
The abreviation 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:
Pinguicula moranensis cv.
or
single quotes are used instead of cv.
Example:
Pinguicula moranensis 'Superba'
3.
The cultivar name is written after cv. or within the single quotes.
4.
Capitalize the cultivar name.
5.
Never
underline or italicize the cultivar name.
Example:
Pinguicula moranensis cv. Superba
or Pinguicula moranensis
'Superba'
Hybrids
are the result of crossing two or more species. Their names can be written in
this way :
Pinguicula
moranensis
x Pinguicula ehlersiae is
an hybrid very frequently grown among carnivorous plants growers.
One
of the hybrid selected was registred meaning that a common name ‘Weser’ was given to
one of the crossing
and all the
information about its parentage, registrors, description can be found in the
registration information. The ICPS is the International Cultivar Registration
Authority (ICRA) for cultivated carnivorous plants, appointed by the
International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) on November 10, 1998.
In order to promote uniformity, accuracy and stability in the naming of
cultivated carnivorous plants, all names of carnivorous plant cultivars and
cultivar-groups must be registered with the ICPS. If you have a carnivorous
plant that you want to be a cultivar, you must go to : (- link
-).
It
was once acceptable to use the "x" to indicate that the plant, even
a cultivar, was of hybrid origins. This is no longer correct. The convention
has been changed so that only single quotes are placed before and after the
cultivar name and the name is written with the first letters capitalized and
the cultivar name is never underlined or italicized.
For
example: Pinguicula 'Weser' is correct and Pinguicula x Weser or
Pinguicula x 'Weser' are not correct.
This article
gives birth to a new game :
Finding the
uncorrectly writing plant
names in this website ... and sending a mail to epbb@club-internet.fr
I will try
to correct all the names in this website soon.
Nobody is
perfect...and I am very far from perfection...
Eric Partrat