One way to annoy my family and friends is to use botanical names (also called scientific names) for plants. They will say, “Why don’t you use the common name?” My explanation is that common names can be misleading and lead to confusion. For example, “daisy” can refer to many different plant genera, each in a different family or genus, and unrelated. Also, common names vary from region to region.
What is Nomenclature?
Nomenclature is the standardized scientific naming system accepted worldwide. Carl Linnaeus developed binomial (a two-part name) nomenclature in the mid-1700s and is known as the “Father of Taxonomy.” There are seven taxonomic levels of classification: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. One easy way to remember the order is “King Phillip Came Out From Germany Smiling.”
Why are Botanical Names in Latin or Ancient Greek?
In the 1700s, Latin and Greek were the “universal” languages understood by the scientific community throughout the world. They are now both dead languages, and the spelling and pronunciation remain consistent and do not change. Both languages have many words for describing organisms, including plants. By using these ancient languages instead of the ones spoken today, no modern language is favored over another, ensuring a universal naming system that is understood worldwide.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Echinacea is from the Greek echînos, which means hedgehog or sea urchin, plus Latin –ācea (meaning resembling) to describe the spiky flowers and the seed head. The species name, purpurea, is from the Latin word purpura, which means purple.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The seed head of a purple coneflower looks similar to a hedgehog or sea urchin.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
How to Write a Botanical Name
Plants have a botanical binomial name consisting of two parts: a genus and a species. When written, both are either underlined or written in italics. The genus is always capitalized, while the species is written in lowercase. If the species is unknown, the genus name is followed by sp. or spp., which is not in italics.
Acer rubrum is the Latin name for red maple. The genus name, Acer, means sharp or pointed and refers to the pointed lobes of the maple leaves. The species name, rubrum, means red and refers to the red flowers, buds, seeds, and brilliant red fall foliage.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The species name of a red maple, rubrum, means red and refers to the red flowers, buds, and brilliant red fall foliage.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Hosta sp. denotes that it’s in the Hosta genus, but the species is unknown. The sp. or spp. is not written in italics.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Why Do Botanical Names Change?
My brain is full of botanical names that I learned over many years. It takes me a while to learn a new botanical name when taxonomists decide to change a particular plant’s genus or species. Name changes can occur based on new research, close plant relationships, or reclassification of plant groups. I jokingly call it “job security” for taxonomists, but in reality, it’s making sure the names are correct and represent the real connections between plants worldwide.
Joe-Pye-weed used to be known as Eupatorium purpureum. In 2004, the genus name was changed to Eutrochium purpureum.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Resources
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach All About Scientific Names https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-scientific-names
- PennState Extension Nomenclature https://extension.psu.edu/nomenclature
- PennState Extension Understanding Garden Terminology https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-garden-terminology
