Chapter 16:
Plant Names and
Classification
In this chapter you will learn about
problems involved in the use
of common names for plants, as illustrated by a survey of such names for two
related species of American spring-flowering perennials. It continues with a
brief historical account of the events that led to the development and
acceptance of Linnaeus' Binomial System of Nomenclature. The history of the
development of a five-kingdom classification is presented, along with a list of
the divisions and classes included in the kingdoms covered in this text. The
chapter concludes with a key to the kingdoms and divisions of organisms.
At the end of this chapter the successful student will be able to
Return to Schedule
- Customary to use descriptive Latin phrase names.
- All organisms were grouped into genera with the first word of the Latin
phrase indicating the particular genus to which the organisms belonged.
- Linnaeus set out to classify all known plants and animals according to
their genera.
- Also changed the Latin phrases to reflect relationships, placing one to
many kinds of organisms, species, in each genus.
- Limited each Latin phrase to a maximum of 12 words.
- Abbreviated names to two parts (binomials).
- Binomial System of Nomenclature
- All species or organisms are named according to this system, which
includes the authority for the name.
- Spearmint: Mentha spicata L.
- Linnaeus organized all known plants into 24 classes which were based
mainly on the number of stamens in flowers.
Return to top

Return to top
Specie is the most specific level For example: Pinus strobus has Genus of
Pinus and specie of strobus meaning specifically a white pine
- Genera are now grouped into Families.
- Families are grouped into Orders.
- Orders are grouped into Classes.
- Classes are grouped into Phyla.
- Phyla are grouped into Kingdoms.
- Depending on the classification system, there are between 12 and 30 recognized
plant phyla divided among the 6 Kingdoms
Return to top
Last modified:
October 08, 2004 by
Cynthia Herbrandson
© Copyright 1999, Kellogg Community College.
All rights reserved.