Glossary: Taxonomy / naming

Purdue Arboretum botanical terminology reference and learning database.

368 Botanical Definitions 10 Categories A–Z Alphabetical Index Illustrated Growth Forms
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Taxonomy / naming

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Illustrated Growth Forms & Tree Silhouettes

Compare visual architectures: fastigiate, columnar, weeping, spreading, and more.

Fastigiate Columnar Pendulous / Weeping
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Synonyms: Specieses

Species The most basic rank in plant classification, identifying a specific kind of plant whose members share the same characteristics and can naturally reproduce with one another. A species is named by two words—the genus followed by the species epithet; for example, Quercus rubra is the species commonly known as red oak. While a genus groups related plants together, the species pinpoints one particular kind…

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