Plant Taxonomy
AHS Agriculture
Warm-up
• SLM and KUD
Lesson Essential Question
• How do we order plants/flowers
from other countries?
Plant Taxonomy
• Most plants have more then one
name
–EX: Snake Plant/Mother in Laws
Tongue
–Tiger lily/adder’s tongue/yellow
snowdrop
Plant Taxonomy
• Some plants have same common
name, different plant
• What do we do?
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Carolus Linnaeus simplified
system to two names
• Two latin names
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• First name generic name 
belong to same genus
• Second name specific name 
belong to same species
• Same species- have same
characteristics & produces plants
of same type
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Species may have varieties
• Resemble other, but 1 or 2
differences
• EX: peach tree- prunus persica
nectarine- prunus persica var.
nucipersica
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Cultivar- cultivated variety
– EX: Red Maple – Acer rubrum
–Cultivars are ‘Red Sunset’ &
‘Autumn Flame’
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Generic name- noun
• Species name- adjective
• Common generic names:
– acer (maple), chrysanthemum
(mum), dianthus (pink), hibiscus
(mallow), pelargonium
(geranium)
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Species name- important info,
• Colors- betula lutea- yellow birch
• Betula alba – white birch
• Quercus rubra- red oak
• Juglans nigra- black walnut
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Creeping or erect:
–Epigaea repens- trailing arbutus
• Geographical info:
–Anemone Virgiana- Virginia
anemones
–Taxus canadensis- Canadian yew
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Size:
–Macro-large
–Micro- small
–Macrophylla- large leaves
–Microphylla- small leaves
–Philadelphus microphyllus-little leaf
mock orange
Binomial System of Naming Plants
• Benefit- universal language
• Can order from anywhere
Activity
• Work on worksheet, use computer or
books to answer questions. 15
minutes.
• Choose a collection, fill in the
information on the form. Complete
2, 30 minutes
Exit Question
• Answer LEQ and turn in bin:
• How do we order plants/flowers
from other countries?
Plant Families/Scientific Name
Rules
AHS Agriculture
Warm-up
• Why do we use scientific names
in the horticulture industry?
Lesson Essential Question
• What are the rules for scientific
names?
Plant Families
• Related genera (pl. genus) with
similar flower structures are
grouped together into major
units known as families
Plant Families
• Simple flower- separated flowers
–Rose- pistil, stamen, petal, sepal
• Rosaceae – genera- prunus (plum) ,
fragaria (strawberry), rubus
(bramble), and malus (apple)
Plant Families
• Tube flower- petals fused to form
corolla tube
–Solanaceae family•Genera solanum (potato),
petunia, & nicotiana (tobacco)
Plant Families
• Composite flower- two kinds of
flowers packed together to form
a single head or “flower.” Outer
flowers (ray flowers) have large or
small petals, inner flowers (disk
flowers) always have small petals.
Plant Families
• Composite flower–Asteraceae includes- aster,
artemisia (silver mound),
helianthus (sunflower),
chrysanthemum, achillea
(yarrow), senecio (cineraria),
calendula (pot marigold)
Plant Families
• Other families:
• Brassicaceae (cabbage)
• Apiaceae (carrot or umbellifer)
• Papaveraceae (poppy)
• Liliaceae (lily)
• Poaceae (grass)
Scientific Name rules
• Latin names in italics
• why?
• Language other then own
• Generic name written first, then
species name & last cultivar (cv.)
Scientific Name rules
• Generic name capital letter &
species with small letter
• Cultivar preceded by letters cv. Or
enclosed with single quotes (‘Red
sunset’) with first letter capital
Scientific Name rules
• When # of species belong to
same genus, generic name
abbreviated to first capital letter
• EX: Red Maple- A. rubrum
• International set of rules known
as International Code of Botanical
Nomenclature
Taxonomy Chart
• Kingdom-Plant
• Division/Phylum- spermatophyta
(seed plants)
• Class- angiosperm (seeds in fruit)
• Order- acerales
• Family- aceraceae
Taxonomy Chart
• Genus- acer
• Species- rubrum
• Variety or cultivar- var. ‘October
Glory”
Taxonomy Chart
• Taxonomists- scientists who ID &
classify plants
Botanical Mounts
• Create 5 Botanical mounts using
purchased plants- 25 minutes
• Examine and correctly label 5
plants- explain how you know
where to place them- 25 minutes
Exit Question
• Answer LEQ and turn in bin:
• What are the rules for scientific
names?
Annual Plants
AHS Agriculture
Warm-up
• What can botanical mounts be
used for?
Lesson Essential Question
• What is an annual plant?
Annual
• Plants that complete their life
cycle in 1 year
• Plants start from seed, grows,
blooms, set seed & dies in 1
season
• EX: vegetable & flower plants
(bedding plants)
Annual
• Flowering annuals- grown to
accent & lend color to landscapes
• Usually started from seed indoors
& transplanted into garden
• Most popular- marigold, petunia,
zinnia, ageratum, celosias, coleus,
portulaca, pansies, & snapdragon
Flowering Annual
• Uses- provides color around
house, foundation, in flower
beds/in front of evergreens, fill
spaces between shrubs, give
color , supply cut flowers, plant
along fences/walks, etc
• Others?
Annual
• Consider when picking plants:
–Purpose of plants
–Where to be planted
–Height
–Keep shorter plants in front
–Select colors that blend well
Annual
• When allow to set seed, causes
strength to be taken from plant &
reduced blooming
Annual
• Create Brochure with pictures &
highlights of annuals
• 30 minutes
Exit Question
• Answer LEQ and turn in bin:
• What is an annual plant?
Biennial/Perennial
Warm-up
• Where are annuals found most of
the time?
Lesson Essential Question
• What is the difference between
annual, biennial, and perennial
plants?
Biennial
• Plant that produces vegetation in
1 year, flowers the next, & then
dies
Perennial
• Plants that live from year to year
& do not require replanting
• Tops may or may not die back in
winter or dry season
• Some bloom 1st yr, most produce
larger, more attractive flowers &
stronger root systems as time
goes on
Perennial
• Flowering trees called hardy
perennials
• Herbaceous perennial- nonwoody
plant that lives from yr to yr but
dies back to ground each winter
& grows back in spring
Brochure
• Create a brochure highlighting
the biennial and perennial plants
• 20 minutes
Transplanting
• Moving from one place to
another
• Annuals transplanted when ready
• Perennials transplanted in spring
or fall
Transplanting
• Crown must be at correct level
(crown is point where the top is
connected to roots & where new
growth comes from.)
• As plant is set, firm in around
roots with hands
• Water
Transplanting
• If plants flower in spring- divide &
plant in fall, reverse is true if
plants flower in fall, plant in
spring
• Start perennial seeds indoors 6-8
weeks prior to transplant date
Monocot/Dicot
• Monocot- A plant only having one
cotyledon or seed leaf
• Dicot- a plant having 2 cotyledon
or seed leaves
Drawing
• Draw a picture illustrating the
difference between monocot &
dicot plants – 15 minutes
Exit Question
• Answer LEQ and turn in bin:
• What is the difference between
annual, biennial, and perennial
plants?
Planning & designing
Warm-up
• **Pick up text book and
Have a seat!!**
• Why are annuals so commonly
used in the garden?
Lesson Essential Question
• How can we plan & design a
balanced flower bed/garden?
Planning & designing
• Seasonal annuals
–Color enhances entryways,
eating areas, etc
–People enjoy aesthetics & relax
Planning & designing
• Perennials (285)
–Mass varieties in groups of
3,5,9
–Consider time of blooming &
space
–Use deciduous shrubs to create
interest
Planning & designing
• Factors to consider:
–Clients’ individual needs &
preferences
–Flower color, height, texture
–Bed size & design
–Surrounding landscapes
Planning & designing
• Hanging baskets
–All baskets need proper
drainage
–Rule of thumb- plant one less
plant then pot size
•EX: 8-inch pot used, pick 7
plants, place 6 around
perimeter & 1 in center
Planning & designing
• To produce attractive hanging
baskets:
–Water
–Fertilize
–Deadhead (removal of dead &
faded flowers)
Planning & designing
• Flower Bed
• 1. prepare soil
–Prepare in fall before planting next
spring
–Till to loosen
–Add organic matter
–Test soil for drainage
Planning & designing
• Flower Bed
• 2. fertilize
–Add 2 lbs of a 5-10-10 fertilizer per
100 sq feet in spring
–Sprinkle 10-10-10 around each
plant on soil if above ineffective
–Soluble fertilizer- mix with 1 tbsp
Planning & designing
• Flower Bed
• 3. mulching- apply 2-3 in. before
bed planted
–Creates aesthetic to enhance plant
–Source of organic matter
–Helps control weeds
–Conserves moisture
–Even temperature
Planning & designing
• Flower Bed
• 4. Seeding–Most seeded indoors & set
outside as plants
–Plant seeds as deep as they are
wide
–Pg 279-280 pictures
Planning & designing
• Flower Bed
• 5. Care for plants
–Pg 280-281 charts/pictures
–Copy the Procedure box (280) and
the 4 boxes on 281 25-11
–20 minutes
Exit Question
• Answer LEQ and turn in bin:
• How can we plan and design a
balanced flower bed/garden?
Review
• Review for test tomorrow!