The correct way to write a scientific name

[piscesilim]

I have look through the member's growlist. Most of the members didn't write the scientific name for your CPs correctly.

Actually there got some rules for writing a scientific name.

-The scientific name must be written in italics.
-If can't write in italics. Then, the scientific name need to be underlined.
-Only the first letter of the generic name need to be capitalized.

For example:
The correct way to write a scientific name for Primrose Butterwort is

Pinguicula primuliflora or Pinguicula primuliflora .

NOT Pinguicula Primuliflora or PINGUICULA PRIMULIFLORA .

You can short form the scientific name by writing only the first letter of generic name. Likes P.primuliflora or P.primuliflora.

But NOT Ping. primuliflora.

Check the website below to get more info about the scientific name.
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/quickref/general/scientific_names.html

[David]

Thanks Lim for this information and reminder. Appreciate it. I shall archive this under the article section. Good info.

[caseyhoo]

Already updated my "giant" grow list

[piscesilim]

If the CPs is a hybrid. Then the "x" is not in italics and no blank between the epithet.

For example, the hybrid name for N.rafflesiana x N. ampullaria is N. xhookeriana.

NOT N. x hookeriana or N. xhookeriana .

More info on hybrid name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_name

[cosmoking]

I was aware about all these rules but to me writing in italics is a bit stupid-it cannot be done when handwriting so I dont usually bother when typing either.

Sometimes the "x" is inserted in names like you mention so emphesize a hybrid, most often when it was considered a species, e.g Cattleya guatamalensis was thought to be a seperate species but has been discovered to be the natural hybrid between Cattleya aurantiaca and Cattleya skinneri so now some people write "Cattleya x guatamalensis" to emphesize that it is a hybrid.

Also pelase be careful about using Wikipedia-information there can be and is often false or contradictory.

[piscesilim]

Yes. It may difficult to write the scientific name in italics when handwriting. But you can underline it.

[David]

Cosmo, I appreciate lim for sharing this information with all members. I think it is good that we know the right way of writing the scientific names even if we do not follow it. If you already know about it, that's well and good but please do not criticise what others share.

If some information is wrongly given, you may suggest the correct information but please be courteous and polite about it. We are all here to learn.

This thread is locked.