In botanical nomenclature, the synonym of a botanical name is a name that also applies to this same taxon. A synonym cannot exist is isolation: it is always "a synonym of ...". In botany synonyms can be Botanical nomenclature Plants are given formal names, governed by the ICBN. Within the limits set by the ICBN there is a separate set of rules, the ICNCP, for those plants in cultivation that require separate recognition, so-called cultivars. ... A taxon (plural taxa) is an element of a taxonomy, e. ...

• homotypic (or nomenclatural): having the same type. The Linnaean name Pinus abies L. has the same type as Picea abies (L.) H.Karst. When the latter is taken to be the correct name (there is almost complete consensus on that), Pinus abies is a homotypic synonym of Picea abies. However, if the species were regarded to belong to Pinus (unlikely!) the relationship would be reversed and Picea abies would become a homotypic synonym of Pinus abies.

• heterotypic (or taxonomic): with a different type. Some botanists split the dandelion into many, quite small species. The name of each such species has it own type. When the dandelion is regarded as including all those small species, the names of all those species are heterotypic synonyms of Taraxacum officinale F.H.Wigg.

Note that in botany it is not required that a synonym has formal status ("be validly published"): a listing of synonyms often contains names that for some reason did not make it as a formal name (unpublished or manuscript names). Such a synonym must have the form of a formal name: it must look like a proper 'Latin name'. Type has historically had the following uses: In biology, a type is the specimen or specimens upon which an original species description is based. ... Type has historically had the following uses: In biology, a type is the specimen or specimens upon which an original species description is based. ... Jump to: navigation, search Species See text Dandelion (Taraxacum) is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. ...

Note also that a homotypic synonym need not share an epithet or name with the correct name, but only the type. For example the name Taraxacum officinale, mentioned above, has the same type as Leontodon taraxacum L. The latter is a homotypic synonym of Taraxacum officinale F.H.Wigg. The combination Taraxacum taraxacum is not acceptable, a tautonym. Tautonym is a term in biological nomenclature, differing slightly in zoological and in botanical nomenclature. ...

Comparison with zoology

The treatment of synonyms in botanical nomenclature is quite different, in at least detail and terminology, from zoological nomenclature, where the correct name is included among synonyms, although as first among equals it is the senior synonym. What are synonyms in botany are junior synonyms in zoology. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a set of rules in zoology that have one fundamental aim: to provide the maximum universality and continuity in classifying all animals according to taxonomic judgment. ...

What are homotypic or nomenclatural synonyms in botany are "objective synonyms" in zoology. What are heterotypic or taxonomic synonyms in botany are "subjective synonyms" in zoology.

See also

synonym (zoology)

basionym A basionym is an obsolete name for a biological species or genus which has been replaced by a new name. ...

tautonym Tautonym is a term in biological nomenclature, differing slightly in zoological and in botanical nomenclature. ...

type Type has historically had the following uses: In biology, a type is the specimen or specimens upon which an original species description is based. ...

synonym Jump to: navigation, search Look up Synonym on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Synonyms (in ancient Greek syn συν = plus and onoma όνομα = name) are different words with similar or identical meanings and are interchangable. ...