Plant Physiology (Biology 327)  - Dr. Stephen G. Saupe;  College of St. Benedict/ St. John's University;  Biology Department; Collegeville, MN  56321; (320) 363 - 2782; (320) 363 - 3202, fax;    ssaupe@csbsju.edu

Writing Scientific Names

Standard Format:  Genus species Author citation (Family)
Example:  Quercus alba L. (Fagaceae)

• Author citation should appear the first time the name appears.  These are typically abbreviated.
  
• Family should be included for each species the first time it appears
  
• Family names almost always end in "aceae".  There are a few exceptions (i.e., Cruciferae = Brassicaceae, Compositae = Asteraceae, Labiatae = Lamiaceae, Graminae = Poaceae).  In this case, either the "ae" or "aceae" ending can be used
   
• Abbreviate the scientific name after the first usage; G. species.
  Example:  The purpose of this project was to examine the mechanism of sap flow in Sugar maple trees, Acer saccharum Marsh (Aceraceae).  A. saccharum is an abundant species in the St. John's woodlands.  During the spring, sap......
  
• Include sub-specific names names as necessary.  A variety or subspecies is designated by the symbol "var." or "subsp.", respectively.  Example:  Physalis virginiana Mill. var. hispida Waterf. refers to a variety of Ground cherry. 
  
• Cultivar names, which are used by gardeners and breeders are not scientific names and do not follow the typical rules of botanical nomenclature. Cultivars are written in single parentheses following the binomial or using the abbreviation "cv." Example: Malus pumila 'Macintosh' or Malus pumila cv. Macintosh. Cultivar names are not italicized.