Botanical Taxonomy

Plant or Botanical taxonomy is the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants. It is one of the main branches of taxonomy—the science that finds, describes, classifies, and names living organisms. (Wikipedia)

Whats in a name? - Short Dictionary of Specific Epithets

Crataegus monogyna - One Seed

Lonicera japonica - Of Japan

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ - White (Lamprocapnos)

Fagus sylvatica - Off the woods

Helpful Clues

Leaf arrangement

Leaf shape

Flowers

Fragrance

Fruit

Seeds

Carl Linnaeus
(1707-1778)

Naturalist & taxonomer

A.K.A Carl von Linné after ennoblement in 1761, was a Swedish biologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming organisms. He is known as the "father of modern taxonomy"

Maize -> Zea mays L (In botany, L. is used to indicate Linnaeus as the authority for a species' name.)

The Taxonomic Hierarchy

Linnaeus’ system laid the groundwork for the hierarchical classification used today, which organizes life into a series of nested categories, from broad to specific. Here’s how it generally works:

Domain: The highest level in the taxonomic hierarchy, which groups all life into three broad categories based on fundamental differences in cell structure and genetics:

Bacteria – single-celled organisms without a nucleus, found almost everywhere, including soil, water, and even inside our bodies.
Archaea – also single-celled and lacking a nucleus, but with unique features that allow many to live in extreme environments like hot springs or salt lakes.
Eukarya – organisms whose cells contain a nucleus, including all plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Kingdom: Large groups of related organisms, such as Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), and Fungi (mushrooms, molds), but also many others.

Phylum: Organisms with similar basic body structures. For example, the phylum Chordata includes all animals that at some point in their development had a chorda, which in some species was replaced by a backbone.

Class: More specific subdivisions within a phylum. For example, the class Mammalia includes all mammals.
Order: Groups of families that share characteristics. For example, the order Primates includes humans, apes, and monkeys.
Family: Organisms with closer evolutionary relationships. For example, the family Hominidae includes great apes and humans.
Genus: A group of closely related species. For example, the genus Panthera includes lions, tigers, and leopards.
Species: The most specific classification, identifying individual organisms capable of interbreeding (when there is sexual reproduction). For example, Panthera leo is the scientific name for lions.

This hierarchical system allows scientists to categorize and study life in a logical and organized way, providing a framework for understanding the diversity and relationships of organisms. (Source)

Domain - Eukarya
Kingdom - Plantae

Botanical nomenclature

Plants, bacteria, animals, etc. all have a scientific Latin name made up of two parts

Genus - Generic name
species - a specific epithet

The combination of the two will create a unique name.

These are all members of the Asteraceae Family

Common Name

Bluebell

Various Bluebells from around the world. Latin names or Botanical nomenclature help distinguish flowers from different locations which may have localised names.