binomial classification (binominal classification) The systematic description of species by means of 2 names, both in Latin. The first name, with an initial capital letter, is that of the genus into which the species is placed, the second that of the species itself. (For example, the name Betula papyrifera (paper birch) comprises the species papyrifera within the genus Betula.) This method of classification for plants was introduced in 1753 by Carolus Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum. The precise procedures and rules for naming newly discovered plants and bacteria are laid down in the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and the International Code for Bacteriological Nomenclature.

binomial classification (binominal classification) The systematic description of species by means of two names, both in Latin. The first name, with an initial capital letter, is that of the genus into which the species is placed, the second that of the species itself (e.g. the name Homo sapiens (human being), comprises the species sapiens within the genus Homo). This method of classification was introduced by Carolus Linnaeus. The precise procedures and rules for naming newly discovered animals are laid down in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

binomial classification See Linnaeus.