Dear all, This was a tricky one. : I had to open the ICBN (International Code for Botanical Nomenclature) to check it. Thanks Ushaji for making me go back to basics.
I am giving my notes, but I request other botanists on this list to correct me where wrong, [1] *Morinda tinctoria* subsp *pubescence* this one is simple: it means that the species *Morinda tinctoria* has two/more subspecies, the first one is *Morinda* *tinctoria* subsp *tinctoria *(usually written only as *Morinda tinctoria*) and the other one is *Morinda tinctoria* subsp *pubescence *(which must be differing from the first in some characters) (there could be more subspecies under this same species, having different ending epithets). At times the connecting link (subsp.) is not used as there is only one rank below that of species. [2] *Morinda tinctoria* var *tomentosa* Similar to above: it means that the species *Morinda tinctoria* has two or more varieties, the first one is *Morinda* *tinctoria* var. *tinctoria *(usually written only as *Morinda tinctoria*) and the second one is *Morinda tinctoria* var. *tomentosa* (which must be differing from the first in some characters) (there could be more varieties under this same species, having different ending epithets) [3]*Morinda tinctoria* f *xanth* This is a form or forma of the species. In botanical nomenclature<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical_nomenclature>, a *form* (*forma*) is a low-level taxonomic rank<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomic_rank>below that of variety <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_(biology)>. The abbreviation "f." or the full "forma" is put before the infraspecific epithet to indicate the rank. A form usually designates a group with a noticeable but minor deviation. [4] *Morinda tinctoria* X *Morinda citrifolia* This is an interspecific hybrid. [5]*Morinda tinctoria* 'Neil' This is a cultivar of *Morinda tinctoria*. A *cultivar name* consists of a botanical name <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical_name> followed by a cultivar epithet <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epithet>. The cultivar epithet is capitalised and put between single quotes: preferably it should not be italicized (unless it was given 1 January<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_1> 1959 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959>, when it was Latin<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin>form and therefore tolerated. But the practice was discontinued as it was often confused with the botanical names). [6]+*Morindixora* 'Sangita' This looks like is a intergeneric hybrid of *Morinda* and *Ixora* genus and a cultivar named as ‘Sangita’ The picture goes very confusing …. Cannot agree more that it is all often very confusing. BUT there is a method in this madness. The web has a number of websites explaining plant nomenclature, best and easiest of which is wikipedia but the ultimate one (although needing lots of patience to understand) is International Code for Botanical Nomenclature. So have I passed the exam? : ) Aparna PS: also attaching a word file of the answer as the italics may be lost in mail --- Dr. Aparna Watve Asha Appt, Shanti Nagar, Ekata Colony Nr. BSNL tower, Akbar Ward, Seoni.480661 tel: 07692-228115 mobile: (0)9755667710 and 9822597288 still works --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to indiantreepix@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to indiantreepix+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
nomenclature notes.doc
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