Naming and Classification of Orchids

Orchids, like all other classified plants, have two names. The first, usually of Greek derivation, denotes the genus to which it belongs, and the second, generally a Latin word, the species. In some cases personal names commemorating distinguished botanists and others have been used, but the names, when translated, usually indicate some characteristic of genus or the species. “Why not simple English names?” is a question often asked that can be best explained, perhaps, by mentioning the fact that science knows no nationality. A great deal of West Australian botanical collection, research classification, has been done by foreign enthusiasts. It is a good thing the custom exists of using a common dead language such as Greek or Latin, for purposes of scientific nomenclature. Otherwise, we should indeed have been saddled with some puzzles in connection with the naming of our native flowers.

The name written immediately after an orchid or other classified flower, is that of the botanist who originally named it. It will be noticed that the majority of West Australian orchids owe their titles to Robert Brown, the “grand old man of Australian botany. Originally an army surgeon, he was appointed by Sir Joseph Banks to accompany Flinders, as naturalist, on his voyage of discovery to Australia in “Investigator.” Robert Brown was subsequently Keeper Botany at the British Museum, and is honoured as the greatest systematic botanist of all time. Several genera and many species of orchids were named by Professor John Lindley, a celebrated English botanist, many years a deeply interested, worker on Australian plants.

Other famous botanists responsible for the naming of numerous species were George Bentham, author of “Flora Australiensis,” a comprehensive work on Australian plants; Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, botanical explorer and writer, for many years Government Botanist of Victoria; and R. D. Fitzgerald, who wrote and illustrated in colour a priceless work on Australian orchids. Mr. Fitzgerald died, unfortunately, before his task was finished. A large number of his unpublished drawings are stored at the Mitchell Library, Sydney, New South Wales. Apart from the beautiful full-page plates, lucid descriptions and field notes of the varieties dealt with in the two volumes of “Fitzgerald’s Australian Orchids,” fascinating facts and theories concerning their fertilisation are included.

Dr. R. S. Rogers, of Adelaide, South Australia, is the present-day authority on Australian orchids. Besides describing many new West Australian species, Dr. Rogers has contributed much valuable information, based on personal knowledge of the living plants, through the medium of various botanical publications, dealing with other West Australian orchids, both well-known and rarely collected.

Mrs. Edith Coleman, of Blackburn, Victoria, has made special study of West Australian orchids, and enjoys the honour of being the only woman to describe and name new orchid species in Western Australia. Mrs. Coleman has contributed valuable addition to the known facts concerning the pollination of various species. Mr. O. H. Sargent, of Perth, also has specialised in orchid observation, and defined and named many species.

The common names by which many orchids are known are extremely interesting, but by no means satisfactory for identification purposes. The same name is often applied to several species, and in various places the same orchid is known by different names, which is confusing. The correct botanical names of most West Australian orchids are euphonious, and not too difficult for even children to learn. Once the meanings are understood and the described characteristics have been observed in the growing plants, the terrors of the names vanish, and their usage becomes a matter of course.

The following rules have been laid down for the correct spelling of botanical names: Generic names should always begin with a capital letter. A capital letter should be used for the name of a species derived from the name of a person. The termination “ii” is used with personal names (masculine) after all consonants except “r,” e.g., Menziesii, Muelleri; but not after vowels, e.g., Purdiei. The gender of an adjective species should agree with that of the generic name.

No absolutely authoritative ruling can be quoted for the proper pronunciation of the generic names of the various orchids, and it is surprising how many different ways some of them can be, and are pronounced. In hope of something definite in this respect being adopted by West Australia orchid-lovers, the pronunciations commonly used by botanist are indicated in this book.

Classification of West Australian orchids, so far as genus is concerned, is not usually difficult. With a little practice correct identification of the different species becomes easy if a book of reference is available, although examination of specimens under a lens is sometimes necessary. Pictures and detailed drawings are helpful, but to “run out,” as botanist term working from detailed descriptions, is the most unsatisfactory way of arriving definitely at right identification. With the aid of this book it should not be beyond the power of any person or child of reasonable age, sufficiently interested, to learn to run out both genus and species of any West Australian orchid for themselves. The use of difficult technical terms has been avoided as much as possible. A glossary, however, is appended which explains the meaning of certain word considered necessary for concise and clear description. Idea can be obtained from the illustrations as to the genus of a specimen. If that genus be turned up and the general description found to agree, the details of the various species can be glanced through until one is discovered that corresponds in shape and colour, size of leaf, parts of flower, etc. To cormpare the descriptions of well-known varieties with living specimens is good practice for learning to deal with orchids not so well known.

West Australian Orchids Series

1. West Australian Orchids
2. Orchid Illustration 1 - Caladenia
3. Orchid Illustration 2
4. Orchid Illustration 3
5. West Australian Orchid Types
6. Naming and Classification of Orchids (This post)
7. Structure, Fertilization and Reproduction of Orchids
8. Collection of Orchids
9. Glossary of Orchid Terms
10. Caladenia
11. Diuris
12. Drakea
13. Eriochilus
14. Glossodia
15. Leptoceras
16. Lyperanthus
17. Microtis
18. Prasophyllum
19. Pterostylis
20. Thelymitra

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Related posts:

1. West Australian Orchids
2. Collection of Orchids
3. Structure, Fertilization and Reproduction of Orchids
4. West Australian Orchid Types
5. Orchid Illustration 2

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