8 Binomial Nomenclature
Scientific names (often also called Botanical names or Latin names)
The concept of scientific names was developed by the botanist Linnaeus at the end of the nineteenth century. Called ‘binomial nomenclature’ (pronounced- Bi-nome-ial nom-en-clat-ure), they are binomial (two part) names that are a precise, standard format for identifying living things. ‘Nomenclature’ is providing a scientific name to an organism.
Genus and species are the two parts of the scientific name that are usually enough to distinguish a particular plant.
Genus is always capitalised and the species is always in lower case. In text or typewritten works both names are italicised. For handwritten work, underline the Genus and species, as well as using the correct case.
A correctly typed plant list would look like this:
• Acacia nuperrima
• Ceriops tagal
• Grevillea dryandri
A correctly written plant list would look like this, with underlining:
• Acacia nuperrima
• Ceriops tagal
• Grevillea dryandri
Watch this video to learn why this is so important.