Plant Taxonomy - Biology 308

Plant Taxonomy (BIOL308) - Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/

Nomenclature Quiz Questions

Grass Nomenclature Question: The following names have all been published for a single species of prairie grass (Poaceae):

            Agrostis clandestina Biehler 1807
            Sporobolus clandestinus (Biehler) Hitchc. 1908
            Sporobolus canovirens Nash 1901
            Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) Gray 1848
            Vilfa heterolepis Michx 1835
            Vilfa cryptandra Torr. 1824

How many different specimens have been studied to name this taxon?___________
How many different authors/botanists have named this taxon? ________________
What is the correct name for this plant if we determine that it belongs in the genus Sporobolus? _____________________________
Which name, if any, of the other names published for this taxon, is a heterotypic synonym to the correct name (if more than one answer, just list one, if none are heterotypic synonyms write 'none')?
Which name, if any, of the other names published for this taxon, is a homotypic synonym of the correct name name (if more than one answer, just list one; if none are homotypic synonyms write 'none')?
hich name, if any, of the other names published for this taxon, is a homonym of the correct name? (if more than one answer, just list one; if none are homonyms write 'none')
Which name, if any, of the other names published for this taxon, is a tautonym of the correct name? (if more than one answer, just list one; if none are tautonyms write 'none')

Taxonomic Rank Matching Question: Match each of the following with the appropriate taxonomic rank.

a. Class            e. Kingdom
b. Division        f. Order
c. Family          g. Species
d. Genus

_____ rank of the Polygonaceae
_____ rank of the Rosales
_____ rank of the Pinophyta
_____ rank of the Magnoliopsida
_____ rank that is most universally applicable and important for taxonomic identification.
_____ list taxa in order from most inclusive (biggest) to least inclusive (smallest)

Hydrophyllum Question: The names given below have all been published for the same plant (taxon) in the genus Hydrophyllum.

     Hydrophyllum capitatum (Greene) Douglas 1895
     Hydrophyllum occidentale Rydberg 1910
     Hydrophyllum fendleri (Gray) Heller 1927
     Phacelia fendleri Gray 1882
     Phacelia capitata Greene 1883

What is the correct name for this plant if it is in the genus Hydrophyllum?
Which name(s) is (are) a taxonomic (heterotypic) synonym for the valid name?
Which name(s) is (are) a nomenclatural (homotypic) synonym for the valid name

Castilleja Question: The complete scientific name for the Indian Paintbrush plant is: Castilleja coccinea (L.) Sprengel.

The specific epithet is ______________________________________.
Indian paintbrush was first named by __________________________.
The parenthetical authority is ________________________________.
The combining authority is __________________________________.
Is this name a polynomial? Yes or no. Explain (2 pts).
Is this scientific name written correctly? Yes or no. Explain (2 pts)

Water Lily Questions: Refer to the water lily exercise to answer these questions?

Are the names Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers. [1807] and Nelumbium luteum Willd. [1799] based on examining the same specimen? Yes or No? Explain your answer.
Are the names Nelumbium luteum Willd. [1799] and Nymphaea lutea Kalm [1802] based on the same specimens? Yes or no? Explain your answer.Why is the specific epithet spelled �lutea� in some of the names and �luteum� in others? Explain.
Why is the specific epithet spelled �lutea� in some of the names and �luteum� in others? Explain.

Short Answer Questions:

Suppose you wanted to name a plant in honor of your super terrific botany professor. Describe the steps that you would go through.

We have seen many examples where the names of plants have changed. Explain why this occurs.

Dogbane Question The following names have been published for a species of dogbane (Apocynaceae).

            Tabernaemontana amsonia L. 1762
            Amsonia tabernaemontana Walt. 1788
            Amsonia latifolia Michx. 1803
            Amsonia amsonia (L.) Britt. 1894

Who first described this taxon? _______________ In what year? ________
What was the first name published for this species?______________________
What is the correct name for this plant if we determine that it belongs in the genus Amsonia? _________________
Which name, if any, of the other names published for this taxon is a heterotypic synonym of the correct name? Explain your answer.
Which name, if any, of the other names published for this taxon is a homotypic synonym of the correct name? Explain your answer.
Which name, if any, is a tautonym. Explain.

Taxonomic Literature Question: For each of the following references identify (a) author(s), (b) publication date, (c) utility/function

            a. Index Herbariorum
            b. Species Plantarum
            c. International Code of Botanical Nomenclature

Brassicaceae Question: You are working on a monograph of the genus Hymenolobus. All of the following names have been applied to plants of a taxon you are going to treat as a species of Hymenolobus. What name must you use for these plants in your monograph? _________________________

Capsella elliptica KA Mey (1831)
Crucifera procumbens Krause (1902)
Bursa procumbens Kuntze (1891)
Hutchinsia procumbens (L.) Desv. (1814)
Hymenolobus divaricata Nutt. (1838)
Lepidium procumbens L. (1753)
Capsella procumbens Fries (1832)

Another Grass Question: All of the following names have been applied to a taxon of grass that you are going to treat as a species of Arundo. What name must you use for these plants in your monograph? ____________ What name would you use if you treat it as a species of Arundinaria? ___________________

Arundinaria tecta Ridgeway (1872)
Arundo gigantea Walt. (1788)
Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Muhl. (1813)
Arundo tecta (Ridgeway) Fern. (1906)