Botanical Nomenclature- Rules and Principles - International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and its History

The determination of correct name of a taxon is called as Nomenclature

Botanical Nomenclature is a part of Plant Systematics that deals with giving correct names to a taxon according to set of rules

The naming should be in accordance with Internation Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

ICBN governs the activity of Botanical Nomenclature.

How the concept of Botanical Nomenclature Started/ History

• Initially long names were used for naming purpose, but as they were difficult to use.

• Casper Bauhin was the one who initially started the concept of Binomial Nomenclature that turned to be most suitable for naming plants. But he did not use it for all species that was its drawback.

• Carlous Linnaeus was than established Binomial Nomenclature and Set its rules.

• Linnaeus establish Binomial Nomenclature in his book Species Plantarum and Published rules in Critica botanica.

• Alphonse de Candolle gave a uniform Botanical Nomenclature for naming plant in his manuscript Lois de la nomenclature botanique.

• This uniform Botanical Nomenclature of Alphonse was accepted as Paris Code after first International Botanical Congress held at Paris.

• Americans use the Rochester code as they were not satisfied with Paris Code, This American Code also introduce concept of TYPES.

• As the International Botanical Congress held some changes were made timely and new code for Botanical Code published if needed.

• During 18th International Botanical Congress held in Melbourne Australia, Melbourne Code was Published
• The aim of this code is to provide a Simple and Stable method for naming plants.

The Botanical Code is divided into Three Divisions:

Rules (62)

Principles (6)

Provisions for governance

PRINCIPLES

Principle I The nomenclature of algae, fungi, and plants is independent of zoological and bacteriological nomenclature. This Code applies equally to names of taxonomic groups treated as algae, fungi, or plants, whether or not these groups were originally so treated.

Principle II The application of names of taxonomic groups is determined by means of nomenclatural types. 

 Principle III The nomenclature of a taxonomic group is based upon priority of publication. 

Principle IV Each taxonomic group with a particular circumscription, position, and rank can bear only one correct name, the earliest that is in accordance with the rules, except in specified cases.

Principle V Scientific names of taxonomic groups are treated as Latin regardless of their derivation.

 Principle VI The rules of nomenclature are retroactive unless expressly limited.

Some changes have been made in Melbourne code:

The code should not only apply to plants but also to algae and fungi

Change in the title of code to International Code of Nomenclature of Algae Fungi and Plants.

QUESTION PRACTICE:

1. Who normalized the Binomial Nomenclature? (PGT Biology Exam)

• Robert Hooke
• Charles Darwin
• Carolus Linnaeus
• Mendel

2.ICBN makes the rules for nomenclature. Here ICBN stands for: (PGT Biology Exam)

• International Code for Botanical Nomenclature
• International Code for Biological Nomenclature
• International Committe of Biological Nomenclature
• International Committe of Binomial Nomenclature

Watch the Explanation video below: