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#1
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ISBN for plants?
Strange question I know but is there a system for plants similar to the
ISBN system for books whereby each plant type is given a unique ID code? Thanks in advance Neil |
#2
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" wrote in message oups.com... Strange question I know but is there a system for plants similar to the ISBN system for books whereby each plant type is given a unique ID code? Thanks in advance Neil Neil there was a chap at Bath University doing just that when I was there a few years back. Should be out or very close I would think. Mike |
#3
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In message .com,
" writes Strange question I know but is there a system for plants similar to the ISBN system for books whereby each plant type is given a unique ID code? Thanks in advance Neil There is not a numeric system. There are two codes; the ICBN (International Code for Botanical Nomenclature) for wild(ish) plants; and the ICNCP (International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants) for cultivated plants. A plant type can have more than one name, if the taxonomy is disputed. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
#4
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In article ,
Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote: In message .com, " writes Strange question I know but is there a system for plants similar to the ISBN system for books whereby each plant type is given a unique ID code? There is not a numeric system. There are two codes; the ICBN (International Code for Botanical Nomenclature) for wild(ish) plants; and the ICNCP (International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants) for cultivated plants. A plant type can have more than one name, if the taxonomy is disputed. Which is as nothing to the names that taxonomists will call one another during a dispute :-) To clarify for the original poster, you have names like: Prunus spinosa Prunus = plum/cherry genus, P. spinosa = sloe Vinca major "oxyloba" Vinca = periwinkle, V. major = greater P., "oxyloba" a particular variety (probably a geographic variant) Lonicera x brownii "Dropmore scarlet" Lonicera = honeysuckle, x brownii = a particular cross, "Dropmore scarlet" = a particular variety of that cross There are a lot of variations in the names, but the first two are always genus and species, and then subspecies, variety, tribe and other arcane distinctions. Some plants don't form nice, neat groups and their classification is almost entirely a matter of taste (brambles are an extreme example). Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#5
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"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message ... In message .com, " writes Strange question I know but is there a system for plants similar to the ISBN system for books whereby each plant type is given a unique ID code? Thanks in advance Neil There is not a numeric system. There are two codes; the ICBN (International Code for Botanical Nomenclature) for wild(ish) plants; and the ICNCP (International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants) for cultivated plants. A plant type can have more than one name, if the taxonomy is disputed. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley The chap I was with at Bath University was combining ALL known methods of identification and ALL plants, world wide. How far he has got or did get I have no idea, but we were remarking on it being a mammoth task. Anyone know anything about it and the progress of it? Mike |
#6
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In message , Nick Maclaren
writes There are a lot of variations in the names, but the first two are always genus and species, and then subspecies, variety, tribe and other arcane distinctions. Tribe and subtribe are the next formal ranks up from genus. To clarify further (for the original poster) a botanical name is Genus species [subsp. subspecies] [var.variety] [f. form [subf. subform] [(original author - at a different rank, or in a different genus)] author (I haven't seen any occurrences of subvarieties.) Some plants don't form nice, neat groups and their classification is almost entirely a matter of taste (brambles are an extreme example). Other problematical groups are eyebrights, hawkweeds and dandelions. (For that matter no-one seems to have a good handle on how to classify hollyhocks and Sidalceas.) -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
#7
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In article ,
Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote: In message , Nick Maclaren writes There are a lot of variations in the names, but the first two are always genus and species, and then subspecies, variety, tribe and other arcane distinctions. Tribe and subtribe are the next formal ranks up from genus. Oops. Thanks for the correction. My memory is failing :-( To clarify further (for the original poster) a botanical name is Genus species [subsp. subspecies] [var.variety] [f. form [subf. subform] [(original author - at a different rank, or in a different genus)] author (I haven't seen any occurrences of subvarieties.) Er, yes, but (a) that is only the current, official scheme. There have been slightly different schemes in the past, almost certainly will be in the future, not all authorities follow the rules in unusual cases, and the scheme doesn't match reality anyway! I have never found out how the more dogmatic taxonomists[*] claim that the difference between genetic, environmental and developmental forms should be described. And, as you know, all can occur in nature. I am thinking of plants that reproduce vegetatively, which can change form permanently or semi-permanently for those reasons. And God alone knows how one should classify lichen and similar entities - though I know how it is done :-) My general point here is that it isn't worth being too dogmatic, and even bothering about absolute precision, as it doesn't always make taxonomic sense. Forcing one structure into a more rigid and inappropriate one always produces more confusion than it removes. This is VERY relevant for the weird collection of forms that make up the things described as garden varieties. [*] The sane ones tend to say "That needs discussing over a drink; shall we adjourn to the Trug and Dibber?" Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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