Binomial nomenclature

Define common name

Simple words used to describe physical features of plants and observe shared characteristics

Not universal

Define nomenclature

System of naming used to ID groups of organisms

How is a species name constructed?

Latin binomial of a genus + specific epithet

Define taxonomy

Science of organizing and naming things in systematic ways

Define Taxon

A unit used in the science of biological classification

What levels / ranking classifications are of most utility

Family, genus, species

How are families defined ?

Natural grouping of related genera that all share some common characteristics

How is a genus defined?

Group consisting of closely related species that are more similar to each other than other members of the family

Define species

Fundamental biological unit/ base unit of taxonomy

Define subspecies

Potential interbreeding natural population with Significant morphological differences often isolated geographically

Note: use subsp. Instead of ssp.

Variety

Minor morphological differences often isolated geographically/ geographically correlated

Define form

Single minor physical diff. NOT isolated geographically .

What are some Hort. Rankings?

Group, horticultural group, cultivar

Define cultivar

A Hort. Lineage that is distinct, uniform, stable and has persisted under cultivation

Define seed strain

Applied to seedlings of cultivated plants that have a persistent (locked in) desirable characteristic .

describe hybrid

Cross breeding of two distinct taxa to form a new hybrid taxon

Describe interspecific hybrid

A hybrid between two species / occur naturally or through cultivation and breeding

Describe Intergeneric hybrid

Rarely, taxa from two diff. genera can be hybridized