Roles of Scientific nomenclature

 

Describing and publishing a new plant species follows the rules of the (ICN). Taxonomists must follow a formal scientific process so that the species name becomes valid and accepted worldwide. 🌿

Below are the main steps.

1. Field Collection and Discovery

First, a botanist discovers a plant that appears different from known species.

Actions:

• Collect several specimens from the field.
• Record location, altitude, habitat, flowering time, and ecological data.
• Take photographs and field notes.

Example: Many new species from Northeast India are discovered in biodiversity-rich areas like , which is known for high floristic diversity.

2. Detailed Morphological Study

The collected plant is studied carefully.

Researchers examine:

• Leaves
• Flowers
• Fruits
• Seeds
• Stem and root structures

Measurements and diagnostic characters are recorded using microscopes and herbarium comparison.

3. Comparison With Existing Species

The suspected new species must be compared with:

• Herbarium specimens
• Published taxonomic literature
• Plant databases

This step ensures the plant is not already described.

Important databases used:

• (Plants of the World Online)
• (IPNI)

4. Selection of a Type Specimen

A type specimen (holotype) must be designated.

• The holotype is a pressed herbarium specimen representing the species.
• It is deposited in a recognized herbarium.

Example institutions:

• ** herbarium collections.

5. Writing the Species Description

A formal scientific description is prepared including:

• Diagnostic characters
• Comparison with closely related species
• Habitat and distribution
• Flowering and fruiting time
• Etymology (origin of the name)

Previously Latin diagnosis was required, but now English or Latin descriptions are accepted.

6. Naming the Species

The new species receives a binomial scientific name.

Structure: Genus + species epithet + author name

Example format:
Genus species Author

The species epithet may refer to:

• A person
• A location
• A morphological character

Example: Osbeckia zubeengargiana named after .

7. Publication in a Scientific Journal

For a name to be valid, it must be published in a recognized scientific journal or book.

The publication must include:

• Description or diagnosis
• Type specimen designation
• Scientific name

Common journals include:

• Phytotaxa

8. Registration and Indexing

After publication, the new species name is indexed in global databases such as:

• (IPNI)
• Plants of the World Online

This makes the species officially recognized worldwide.

✅ In simple sequence

1. Discover plant in field
2. Collect specimens and ecological data
3. Compare with known species
4. Select holotype specimen
5. Write scientific description
6. Give binomial name
7. Publish in scientific journal
8. Register in plant databases

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If you want, I can also explain the exact format of a new species paper (taxonomy paper structure) that researchers follow when publishing a new plant species. It will be very useful for research and writing papers. 🌿