Question about plant name terminology

[Michael]

I was reading the article on Differentiation of U. ochroleuca and U. stygia in the latest CPN. I'm still a novice when it comes to the formal latin naming of plants, and had a question about terminology used.

The article used the names U. ochroleuca s. str. and U. ochroleuca s. lat.

My question is what does the "s. str." and "s. lat." refer to?

Curiously, Michael

[ICPS-bob]

DANGER AHEAD! You are venturing into the black hole of botanical nomenclature.
s. lat. = sensu lato
s. str. = sensu stricto

You can immerse yourself in the subject by reading the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
www.bgbm.org/iapt/nomenclature/code/saintlouis/0000St.Luistitle.htm
Perhaps starting here:
www.bgbm.org/iapt/nomenclature/code/saintlouis/0051Ch4Sec3a047.htm

[marcel]

But as a life-preserver as the topic and the link (Thanks Bob, I was looking for that for some time) goes to a very large text:

in the most basic way I can say it:

Sensu lato = a term used when an auteur puts two or more closely related species together as one while other consider them to be different species.

Sensu stricto = the opposite. Auteur considers as one species that what others divide in two or more species.

It is a polite way of saying: Discussion not (yet) over

[Michael]

DANGER Will Robinson, DANGER is right! After reading (skimming some, reading other parts)I can see it is stepping into the deep end quickly.

In my laymens readings of the ICBN...I think I have the context of the terms within the article (enough to let me think about leaving the shallow end). I can see there's a lot more to learn!

I've been pondering about looking for a good intro Botany textbook--any suggestions?

Thanks again!

[pinglover]

Uh oh, lumpers and splitters are going to come duke it out in this thread. Run for cover!

You might like "Botany for Gardeners" by Brian Capon. That's a very good book to start with and it is affordable. Your library probably even has a copy.

[Michael]

Hmm...don't know enough to be a lumper or a splitter...so, I'd guess I'm in the middle...a splumper? a lumitter? I'm running for cover...

Pinglover--Thanks for the suggestion on the "Botany for Gardeners"!