Plant Nomenclature March 1, 2011

In plant names, such as Acer rubrum (red maple), what do the two parts of the name represent? Why do taxonomists change long-accepted plant names and who settles disputes about these names? What is "rule of priority" and why is it rejected occasionally (as in the name of tomato)? What is a 'type specimen'? Dr. Gandhi will answer these questions and more in this introduction to the study of botanical nomenclature and explain the rules of the current international nomenclature code.