There exists a lot of variation in nature. And hence you must have noticed that plant descriptions in literature mostly include ranges for variable characters such as leaf size. For example in a flora, leaves of species are given as 6-10 inches X 2-4 inches. Only a well trained taxonomist can decide whether the differences that are seen amount to naming of a new subspecies or variety. And this process includes checking, rechecking populations, screening literature, following taxonomic laws and is rigorously monitored by an international body (ICBN). Suppose we find a specimen, and find major differences from description given, we should go on to look at good floras, or family monographs or research papers including that species and see whether that species has been further divided into another subspecies or variety by scientists. As in case of species within a family, keys are provided for identification of known infraspecific ranks (subspecies, varieties) and we have to follow that key to see if our specimen fits or is close to any of the known subspecies/varieties. Don't know if I am clear enough. I dont have a flora at hand, but others can contribute with more concrete examples. You try searching through some of the taxonomic journals (like Taxon) to see how naming of a new subspecies or variety is done.
aparna - On Sat, Jun 20, 2009 at 12:19 AM, J <j4k4e...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > On Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 6:39 PM, Madhuri Pejaver > <formpeja...@yahoo.com>wrote: > >> >> >> Dear Aparna, >> So nice of you to write all details. >> But--- >> when some differences are seen from the sps how to decide whether it is a >> subsps or a varity? >> Madhuri >> >> --- On Thu, 18/6/09, Aparna Watve <aparnawat...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> > From: Aparna Watve <aparnawat...@gmail.com> >> > Subject: [indiantreepix:13414] Re: Scientific names of Plants >> > To: "Usha Desai" <ushande...@gmail.com> >> > Cc: indiantreepix@googlegroups.com >> > Date: Thursday, 18 June, 2009, 6:17 PM >> > 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, a form (forma) is a >> > low-level taxonomic >> > rank >> > below that of variety. 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 followed by a cultivar >> > epithet. The cultivar epithet is capitalised and >> > put between single quotes: preferably it should not be >> > italicized (unless it was given 1 >> > January 1959, >> > when it was 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 >> > >> > >> > > >> > >> > >> > >> >> >> Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and >> more. Click here http://cricket.yahoo.com >> >> >> >> >> > -- Dr. Aparna Watve 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
