A glossary of botanical terms used in the homeopathy database.
binomial (or binominal ), a name consisting of two words (i.e. genus + species epithet).
basionym, the original name under which a species was described. e.g. Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britton & Rose was originally described as Cactus grandiflorus L.
ex, (latin, from), used to connect the names of two authors, the second of which has validated a name proposed but either unpublished or not validly published by the first.
f., (latin, filius) son.
forma (latin, form), a subspecific rank used to describe minor variants.
homonym, identical name for different species thus illegally duplicating a name previously and validly published.
in, (latin, in), used to connect the names of two persons, the second of which is the editor, or overall author, of a work in which the first was responsible for validly publishing a name.
incertae cedis (latin, of uncertain seat), of uncertain taxonomic position.
new combinations indicate a change in taxonomic position and/or rank of a species or subspecific name. The original author is cited in parentheses, followed by the name of the author who proposed the new combination. e.g. Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott indicates that this name published by Schott is based on the older name or basionym (Arum seguine Jacq.).
nom. ambig. (latin, nomen ambiguum), ambiguous name, a name used by different authors to mean different species, so it becomes a permanent source of confusion or error. e.g. Crataegus oxyacantha L. Sp. Pl. 1: 477. 1753, nom. ambig.
nom. illegit. (latin, nomen illegitimum), illegitimate name, a validly published name that does not conform to ICBN rules. e.g. Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 267. Apr-Jun 1805. nom. illeg., not (L.) J. St.-Hil., Feb-Apr 1805.
nom. nud. (latin, nomen nudum), naked name; a name published without a description. e.g. Jacaranda gualanday Cortés Fl. Colombia. 99. 1897, nom. nud.
nom. rejic. (latin, nomen rejiciendum), a name formally rejected, usually in favour of another (conserved) name. e.g. Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) H. Karst., Deut. Fl. ed. 1. lief. 966. 1882, nom. rejic.
orthographic variants are different spellings for the same name. Only one variant of any name is treated as validly published, the form that appears in the original publication except as provided in Article 60 of the Botanical Code. The orthographic variation is given in parentheses and follows the bibliographic citation. e.g. Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz Forest. Fl. Burma 2: 171. 1878. 'Rauvolfia',
pre-Linnean authors are indicated in square brackets. e.g. Balsamum tolutanum [C. Bauhin] L.
sensu lato, in the broad sense.