What Are Scientific Names? Meaning, Uses, And Examples

Scientific Names – In this topic, we will learn about scientific names, their meaning, usage, and examples.

What Are Scientific Names? Meaning, Uses, And Examples

Meaning of Scientific Names

In science, you will always see that plants and animals have names other than common names. We generally call them scientific names. What we don’t know is that they are named using a species-naming system called binomial nomenclature.
According to Byju, this is the widely used formal system of naming a certain species. It consists of two names that are usually in Latin but there are also some that have come from other languages ​​as well. There are two names:

Generic name

The initial name highlights the genus to which the organism belongs. It is always capitalized and in italics.

Specific name

It identifies the exact species to which the organism belongs. The name is in lowercase and italicized.

Uses of Scientific Names

  • Taxonomy and organization: These are widely organized which makes it easy and systematic to understand and study the characteristics of particular organisms.
  • Accuracy and Clarity: These are so unique that identifying the creatures will not lead to confusion.
  • Binomial names (other terms for scientific names) are universally recognized and standardized
  • They are retained even when species are transferred to another genus based on new knowledge.
  • Helps in understanding the similarities and differences between different species belonging to the same genera.

Examples

  • Humans – Homo sapiens
  • Blackbuck – Antelope cervicapra
  • Cheetah – Acinonyx jubatus
  • Red Fox – Vulpes vulpes
  • Great horned owl – Bubo virginianus
  • Indian Python – Python molurus
  • Carrot – Daucas carota
  • Coriander – Coriandrum sativum
  • Green Gram – Phaseolies auicus
  • Orange – Citrus aurantium
  • Tomato – Lycopersican esculentum

Another example Scientific names of the seeds

Aconite, Chinese Aconitum carmichaeli  
Alkanet, Oriental Seeds, Alkanna orientalis Bedding plant
Aloe, Cape Aloe Aloe ferox Laxative
Amla Emblica officinalis Antioxidant, Vitamin C, Anemia, Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
Andrographis Andrographis paniculata Digestion, Lyme disease
Angelica, Official Angelica archangelica Digestion, immunity, typhoid
Arnica, Mountain Arnica montana Homeopathy, Ointments
Sweet Annie Artemisia Annua Malaria, cancer
Artichoke Cynara scolymus Liver and Digestion
Arugula, Wild Roquette Diplotaxis tenuifolia Vegetables, raw or cooked, liqueurs and beer
Ashwagandha Withania somnifera Stamina, regeneration
Asparagus Asparagus officinalis Cardiovascular System, Potassium. Edible Hedge
Asparagus, Chinese Tian-men-dong  
Astragalus Astragalus membranaceus Immunity
Baikal Skullcap Scutellaria baicalensis Immunity
Barley Hordeum vulgare Algicide, Animal Food, Cereal Grain
Basil Ocimum basilicum  
Bean, Scarlet Emperor Phaseolus coccineus Adrenals
Bearsfoot Polymnia uvedalia Ointments for swelling, liver and kidney tonic
Bears Garlic Alium ursinum Food, Medicine (natural antibiotic)
Bhringaraj Eclipta alba Kaya Kalpa, Detoxification, Hair, Cirrhosis, Asthma, Insomnia
Black Cohosh Cimifuga racemosa Female Reproductiive System
Bloodflower Asclepias curassavica Butterflies
Broccoli Brassica oleracea Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum  
Burdock Arctium lappa Food, Cancer
Calamus Acorus calamus Soil Remediation, Digestion
Calendula Calendula officinalis  
Camas, Blue Camassia quamash Baked as a staple food
Cancer Bush Sutherlandia frutescens Tonic herb, antitumoral
Carob Ceratonia siliqua Chocolate substitute
Carrots Daucus carota Antioxidant, Vitamin A, Eyes
Cayenne Pepper Capsicum frutescens  
Chameleon Plant Houttuynia cordata Lungs, urinary tract infections, Lyme disease, cuisine
Chamomile, German Matricaria recutita  
Chervil, Brussels Winter Anthriscus cerefolium Slug control, carminative, diuretic, winter vegetable
Chia Salvia hispanica  
Chickweed Stellaria media Ground Cover, Vitamins
Clover, Medium Red Trifolium pratense Herbal teas, ointments, tonics, cover crops
Codonopsis Codonopsis pilosula Stamina
Comfrey Symphytum officinalis Organic Gardening
Dong Quai Angelica sinensis  
Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia Herbal antiseptic and immune enhancer
Elecampane Inula magnifica  
Eleuthero Eleutherococcus senticosus Stamina, bone marrow suppression
Epazote Chenopodium ambrosioides Intestinal gas, parasites, salads, cooked beans
Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis  
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum Cover Crop
Figwort Scrophularia nodosa Bees, lymphatic system
Flax, Brown Linum usitatissimum  
Geranium, Umcka Pelargonium sidoides Upper respiratory conditions
Gotu Kola Centella asiatica Memory, sleep
Indigo, wild Baptisia tinctoria Immunity
Kale Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Salads or Cooked
Lamb’s Quarters Chenopodium album Protein, Edible, Birds
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia  
Lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosus Tea, jetlag, digestion, Asian cuisine, essential oil
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis  
Lentils Lens culinaris  
Lobelia Inflata Lobelia Inflata Immunity, Inflammation
Lomatium Lomatium dissectum Immunity
Ma Huang Ephedra sinensis Stimulant, bronchial dilator
Marshmallow Althaea officinalis Immunity, Tea, Demulcent
Mint, Korean Agastache rugosa  
Mint, Licorice Agastache foeniculum  
Mint, Mayan Lippia dulcis  
Mint, Mountain Pycnanthemum virginicum  
Motherwort Leonurus cardiac  
Peppermint Mentha piperita Tea, Mouse Deterrent
Pleurisy Asclepias tuberosa Butterflies
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea Immunity
Purslane Portulaca oleracea Omega 3, Vitamins A & C
Rhodiola Sedum rhodiola Bees
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Bird seva, essential oils, cuisine
Sage, Black Salvia mellifera  
Sage, Blue Salvia azurea  
Sage, Clary Salvia sclarea  
Sage, Dan-shen miltiorrhiza Salvia miltiorrhiza  
Sage, Dominican Salvia dominica  
Sage, Garden Salvia officinalis  
Sage, Jerusalem Salvia hierosolymitana  
Sage, Middle-Eastern Salvia libanotica  
Sage, Pitcher Salvia spathacea  
Sage, Purple Salvia leucophylla  
Sage, White Salvia apiana  
Savory, Winter Satureja montana Vegetable, raw or cooked, essential oils
Sea Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides Radiation, antioxidants
Sea Kale Crambe maritima Eat as a cooked vegetable substitute for asparagus
Shatavari Asparagus racemosus Female Reproductive System, Galactogogue
She-chuang-zi Cnidium monnieri Parasiticide, used to prevent osteoporosis
Shungiku, chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum coronarium Salads, Alkalizing
Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum biflorum  
Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella Butterflies, Birds, Soil Remediation
Spearmint Mentha spicata Tea, Salad
Spilanthes Acmella alba Toothache, Lyme disease
Stinging Nettles Urtica dioica  
Sunflower Helianthus annuus Birds, Soil Remediation
Thyme, Creeping Thymus serphyllum  
Thyme, English Broadleaf Thymus vulgaris  
Thyme, German Winter Thymus vulgaris  
Thyme, Mastic Thymus mastichina  
Thyme, Spanish Thymus zygis  
Tulsi Ocimum sanctum Nervine, Anti-estrogenic, Digestion, Parasites
Turkey Rhubarb Rheum palmatum tanguticum Laxative
Valerian Valeriana officinalis  
Wild Yam Dioscorea batatas IBS, Nerve Pain, Male & Female Reproductive System
Wormwood Artemisia absinthium Parasites
Wormwood, Redstem Artemisia scoparia Immunity, Staphylococcus & Steptococcus
Yarrow Achillea millefolium Soil Remediation
Vetch, Kidney Anthyllis vulneraria Skin ointments, nitrogen fixer
Violet Viola odorata Mouth Sores, Oral Cancer
Yerba Mansa Anemopsis californica Soil Remediation
Zaatar Origanum syriacum Culinary herb used to make a dipping sauce 
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