Plant Tissue Culture PPT

Herbs like all plants have a common English name and an official, valid, Latin name. For example the herb we call sweet basil in English is Ocimum basilium in Latin. Just how was this Latin name determined and why is it used?

It all began in the 18th Century with the work of a Swedish physician and botanist named Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) who ushered in a new era of taxonomy. What is taxonomy? Taxonomy is the process used to define groups of biological organisms on the basis of shared characteristics. Based on these characteristics Latin names are assigned to groups of these organisms. Until Linnaeus appeared there was chaos and confusion in this naming process for both plants and animals.

Linnaeus with his major works Systema Naturae (First Edition, 1735), Species Plantarum (1753) and Systema Naturae (Tenth Edition, Two Volumes, 1758 and 1759) revolutionized modern taxonomy. His scientific works began a standardized binomial naming system for both plant and animal species. His system proved to be an elegant solution to the chaotic way that plant and animal species had been named. And so the Linnaean system was born.

This system is still used today in much the same way as it was used in the eighteenth century. Presently, plant and animal taxonomists see Linnaeus' work from 1753 and 1758 as the beginning or starting point for valid binomial names. Currently, the system we use gives each plant a name consisting of two Latin words. The first word gives the plant's genus and the second defines its species. This Linnaean system has permitted us to standardize the way plants are identified.

Plants are all classified by their relationships. These relationships are established by shared characteristics, particularly of their reproductive parts. In order to understand these relationships there is a plant classification hierarchy.

At the top of this plant classification hierarchy is the plant kingdom. There are six divisions under the plant kingdom. Under these divisions, there are subdivisions to separate the divisions into classes. Following their separation into classes, they are further subdivided into orders. Next, these plant orders are further divided into even smaller groups to describe their finer differences. First, they are separated into a family. A family groups plants that have related genera. Next, they are classified into a genus. The genus contains plants of related species. Next, these plants are assigned a species. Their species is a group of plants that are alike and naturally breed with each other.

There are further refinements under the species group. A plant may be classified as a hybrid or a cross between two different species. Hybrids can happen in the wild, but more often are the result of accidental or artificial breeding. A hybrid is defined by an "x" appearing before its species name, for example Russian comfrey would be Symphytum x uplandicum.

In addition, variety (var.), subspecies (subsp.), and form (forma, f.) are three more subdivisions within a species or natural hybrid. These three differ in small but clear-cut ways from the typical species type. For example, Symphytum officinale var. ochroleucumis is a white-flowered variant of common comfrey. These natural variants are rare in the wild, but quite common in cultivated plants.

The last is a cultivar. This a desired variant, produced and maintained through cultivation. The plant produced as a cultivar most likely has preferable characteristics such as habitat, color, flavor, resistance to pests, etc. For example, French tarragon, noted for its distinct flavor, is often classified as Artemisa dracunculus 'Sativa' because it was produced as the 'Sativa' cultivar from Russian tarragon, Artemisa dracunculus.

There you have it! Now, you know why herbs and other plants have Latin names, the history of how this happened, and why they are still used today.

Sanford H Kirkland is the owner of SHK Enterprises, LLC the operator of the website http://www.plantyourherbs.com/ Plant Your Herbs. He has been growing, using, and learning about herbs for the past 38 years and is an At-Large Member of the Herb Society of America. Want to learn more about herbs? Then, visit the Plant Your Herbs website, http://www.plantyourherbs.com/ today.

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Whether you have extra stones from a previous project or are just looking for unique designs, this list on the use of pavers might be just for you. Let the ideas here inspire you to create masterpieces out of these pavers, paving stones or stone slabs.

To start off, pavers are basically used to create garden paths and outdoor flooring. They can be wedged together for a tile effect or placed apart with gravel or grass in between.

They can have rainwater collecting systems beneath them in response to calls for sustainable landscapes. The pavers are spaced apart or made of permeable material that allows water to seep under and into ground water systems.

For sloping grounds, stairs made of pavers are a lot safer than slanting pathways. Don't forget to add a low ramp for the disabled and to allow heavy loads to be wheeled in.

These stones can also be stacked to create retaining walls that divide the sloping grounds into areas. If the wall stands alone, cap it with wider coping to provide ample seating space for a garden rendezvous as well.

Revamp your old walls by using these bricks to build on top of them. The result is a free-standing wall made of pavers that will keep them guessing.

Circular groups of these rustic stones can create fireplaces and fire pits for homeowners who love bonfires. They can also serve as walls and tabletops for outdoor kitchen gardens.

Border your garden, pool or patio with them. They can be used to add an old-world feel to your landscape.

Create elevated stages and patios using pavers. Remember to apply a cement foundation underneath for a more stable platform.

Alternate the slabs with Bermuda grass for a large game of checkers. Place elevated seating areas on either side for a better view.

You can use them indoors, too. These stones offer a better transition from the solarium or kitchen to the alfresco.

If you plan on a roof deck garden, consider lining the floor with pavers. It will add to the appeal of your high-altitude vegetation.

They can be made into pillars, benches and even a mini Stonehenge for your backyard. The limitations reside only in your imagination.

Flagstones, brick and other pavers need not be confined to pathways and floors. They are great for other outdoor design and landscaping needs as well. Their aged look will give any landscape an air of distinction and elegance.

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