Why the precise identification of grass matters
Common names for plants, like grass, can be tricky, changing from one region to another and leading to a lot of confusion. That’s why scientists use scientific names — a universal system for identifying each and every grass species.
What’s in a scientific name?
A scientific name always consists of two parts: the genus and the species. The International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN) governs this whole system.
What you’ll learn
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the scientific name of grass, including genus and species names, infraspecific names, hybrid names, and even cultivar and trade names.
Why use scientific names?
When we’re talking about grass, why not just use common names? Well, scientific names give us a couple of key advantages:
- Universality and precision: Scientific names are the same no matter what language you speak or where you are. That avoids a lot of confusion that comes with using different common names in different places. They also pinpoint a specific plant, which common names often fail to do.
- Avoiding ambiguity: Take “millet,” for example. That’s a common name, but it actually applies to a bunch of different grass species. Or consider sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). It’s got tons of common names, depending on who you ask.
- Foundation for scientific communication: If you’re doing research or trying to protect a certain species, you need to be crystal clear about what you’re talking about. Scientific names give us that stable point of reference so we can all understand the relationships between different kinds of grass.
Genus and Species Names
Every type of grass, along with all other living things, has a scientific name made up of two parts: a genus name and a species name. These names are usually Latin or Greek in origin, and they’re used worldwide to avoid confusion caused by common names, which can vary from region to region.
Understanding Genus and Species
Defining Genus
A genus (plural: genera) is a group of closely related species that share similar characteristics. Think of it as a family name. Some prominent grass genera include Poa, Festuca, Lolium, and Agrostis. Each of these genera contains multiple species of grass.
Defining Species
A species is a group of organisms that can naturally interbreed and produce fertile offspring. It’s a more specific classification than genus. The exact definition of a species is actually a topic of ongoing scientific debate, but this is the general idea.
Rules for Writing Genus and Species Names
There are specific rules for how to write genus and species names to indicate their scientific status:
Rules for Genus Names
- Genus names are always capitalized.
- Genus names are always italicized or underlined.
- Genus names are singular nouns (e.g., Poa).
Rules for Species Names
- Species names (also called species epithets) are never capitalized.
- Species names are always italicized or underlined.
- Species names are usually adjectives that describe the genus (e.g., Poa pratensis).
Rules for Both Types of Names
- Both genus and species names must be italicized or underlined to indicate their scientific status.
- The genus name is usually abbreviated after its first use in a text (e.g., P. pratensis).
Authority
Author Citation
The name of the person or people who first published the scientific name of a plant species can be added after the species name. This is called the authority.
For example: Poa pratensis L. The “L.” stands for Linnaeus, who first described and named this species.
What are infraspecific names?
Infraspecific taxa are used to classify variations within a species, such as subspecies, varieties, and forms. Scientists use these terms when there are consistent physical or genetic differences within a particular species.
Here are a few examples of infraspecific classifications:
- Subspecies: A distinct population within a species, often separated by geography. Durum wheat, for example, is a subspecies of wheat.
- Variety: A heritable variation within a species.
- Form: A minor variation within a species, often based on a single characteristic.
How to write infraspecific names
When writing an infraspecific name, it’s important to follow certain rules to ensure clarity and accuracy:
- Rank Indication: The rank (subsp., var., f.) is abbreviated and placed before the infraspecific name.
- Italicization: The rank abbreviation is not italicized, but the infraspecific name is italicized.
Here’s an example:
Poa pratensis subsp. irrigata
Hybrid Names
As you might imagine, there are countless varieties of grasses in the world. Some of these are hybrid species, and they have their own unique naming conventions.
Understanding Hybrids
Hybrids are the result of cross-pollination between two different plant lineages, either species or genera. These crosses can occur in nature, or they can be created intentionally by humans.
Hybridization is especially common among grasses, which is why there are so many hybrid species and cultivars.
Hybrids Between Genera
When two genera hybridize, the offspring are placed in a “nothogenus.” The nothogenus name is indicated with a “×” symbol placed before the genus name.
The hybrid formula lists the parent genera alphabetically, separated by a “×” symbol.
For example, x Triticosecale (Triticale) is a hybrid between Triticum (wheat) and Secale (rye). Another example is x Elyhordeum macounii (Macoun’s barley), which is a hybrid between wheatgrass and barley.
Hybrids Between Species
When two species within the same genus hybridize, the resulting plant is placed in a “nothospecies.” The nothospecies name is indicated by a “×” symbol placed before the species name.
The hybrid formula lists the parent species, separated by a “×” symbol. For example, Saccharum x sinense is a hybrid between cultivated and wild sugar cane.
Exceptions to Hybrid Names
There are some exceptions to these rules.
For instance, some hybrids may eventually be considered independent species in practice, even if they originated from a cross. This can happen when the hybrid becomes reproductively isolated from its parent species.
Also, some species have a complicated hybrid ancestry, so it can be hard to trace their exact origins.
Cultivar and Trade Names
When you’re talking about grass, you might hear the terms “cultivar name” and “trade name.” Here’s a quick guide to what those mean and how they’re different.
Cultivar Names
Cultivars are plants that have been cultivated to have specific, unique characteristics that continue to be passed on when the plant is propagated. The cultivar name is how we distinguish that cultivated variety from the regular, wild type.
There are some rules for how to write cultivar names:
- Cultivar names should appear inside single quotation marks.
- The first letter of each word in the cultivar name should be capitalized.
For example, if you’re talking about the cultivar of pampas grass called “Pumila,” you’d write the full name like this: Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’.
Trade Names
Trade names are used to sell plants, and they’re based on marketing. Trade names can even be trademarked.
Unlike cultivar names, trade names aren’t governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP), and they can vary depending on where you are. It’s possible for a single cultivar to be sold under several different trade names.
For accurate identification and communication, it’s always best to use the scientific and cultivar names.
Resources for grass names
If you’re looking for more information on grass nomenclature, here are some resources that may be helpful:
Websites
Online databases such as Plants of the World Online (POWO) and the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) are good places to start. These resources can help you check scientific names and taxonomic information.
Nomenclature Codes
These codes are sets of rules for naming plants. You may find the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN) and the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) to be valuable resources.
Scientific Articles and Books
Taxonomic literature contains information on grass classification and nomenclature. If you’re doing serious research, it’s worth your time to consult these resources.
In Closing
Grasses are everywhere, and using their scientific names is the best way to talk about them accurately. Remember that a grass’s scientific name has two parts: the genus and the species, and those names are always italicized.
Knowing the correct scientific name for a grass is crucial in farming, ecology, conservation, and many other fields. If you want to learn more about grass identification and nomenclature, there are plenty of resources available.
So, get out there and start identifying those grasses! With a little practice, you’ll be speaking the language of science in no time.