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13.1 Standard Names of New Zealand Trees
Authors: Elizabeth Miller; Matt BuysPublication: NZIF Forestry Handbook, Volume Section 13 – Reference, pp 1, Dec 2023
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: The two primary components of taxonomy are classification and nomenclature. The classification of plants refers to the placing of groups of plants (taxa; singular: taxon) into a taxonomic hierarchy, i.e. individuals or populations into species, species into genera, etc. Competing classification systems can co-exist, but generally those based on the best data and analyses are preferred. No enforceable universal classification system exists, for now. Once a taxonomist decides which taxa to recognize and the extent to which each taxon varies (the taxonomic process), then names need to be correctly assigned to the taxa (nomenclature). The assignment of botanical names to taxa is governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) (Turland et al., 2018), the set of rules and recommendations whose intent it is that each plant taxon only has one correct name. Names assigned in error to the rules need to be corrected.