Quote:
Originally Posted by the flying dutchman
I wonder if there is any place to find the correct scientific names of
bananas. I mean, is it the correct name if bioversity lists it or has it to be
published in a journal or scientific work. As many bananas have synoniems in
different countries how do we know wich name is scientificaly correct or
accepted.
What is the reference???
Ron
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Lard Greystoke replies:
The traditional method for initial classification of any organism is for a single individual, the TYPE SPECIMEN, to be selected, labelled and preserved. In the case of a plant, a herbarium specimen containing as much as practical of leaves, flower and fruit is obtained along with information regarding time and place of collection. The type specimen is then examined by a (presumably) qualified researcher with regard to its place within the taxonomic framework. A binomial name is then issued. If two specimens of the same species are obtained and studied by different individuals, the binomial first published in a recognized journal is recognized as the "official" form, and the specimen upon which the description is based is the type specimen. The ICBN (International Code of Botanical Nomenclature) is the accepted forum for defining processes and hammering out differences.
The concept of the "type specimen" was reached at a time when species were thought to be immutable, before the idea of evolution and before the importance of variability was understood. It is no longer thought that any individual can represent the range of variation of a whole species, and therefore an "official name" which applies perfectly well to one specimen pressed between glass plates applies with increasing ambiguity to large and varied populations, isolated populations, and hybrids. It is not always possible to clearly distinguish species, subspecies, races, hybrids, etc.
Since scientific names can be regulated by the international rules of nomenclature, they will be the same in all countries. Common names are not subject to any formal regulation.
One advantage of identifying bananas is that most cultivated forms are asexually reproduced, i.e. clones very limited in variation. The lack of variation means that the name of a clone should apply pretty exactly to any member of that clone without the ambiguity you can find in members of wild populations.