Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

Which is the proper way to write the scientific name of a plant?

1. Gerbera jamesonii

2. Jamesonii Gerbera

3. Gerbera jamesonii

4. Gerbera jamesonii

The correct answer is: Gerbera jamesonii

The proper way to write the scientific name of a plant follows the binomial nomenclature system introduced by Carl Linnaeus. According to this system, the name consists of two parts: the genus name and the species name. The genus name is always capitalized, while the species name is not. In the case of "Gerbera jamesonii," the format adheres to these rules perfectly, as the genus "Gerbera" is capitalized and the species "jamesonii" is written in lowercase. Importantly, both names should be italicized to indicate that they are scientific names. Option D correctly follows this standard formatting by using italicization and the appropriate capitalization and lowercase conventions. This clarity and adherence to scientific naming conventions are crucial in the field of horticulture, ensuring that names are communicated effectively across different languages and regions.