Nomenclature is the process of which names for all things are chosen and titled. From a Deer being called a Deer to a plant being described as a plant, this system creates a foundation of which all taxonomy (classifications of all things) has derived from. Taxonomy is based on the original universal language of Latin due to its unchanging written forms and global roots that are known to be understood by the highest scholars since the 1700’s. Though Latin is dead as a spoken language it is very much used as a global communication of science for worldwide understanding. This is especially true in the realm of plants.
In 1735, Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish Botanist created the botanical classification system that is still used today. Other key botanists and scientists such as Lamarck and Vavilov of the same century, as well as dozen other botanists throughout time, have played roles in the organization of the models.
Linnaeus’ publication of “Fundamenta Brittanica” in 1738 affirmed the use of the Latin-based scientific system and keyed the use of binomial nomenclature. Binomial nomenclature is used as a two-part characterization of a plant species, by naming first the genus followed by the species and family. For example, Cannabis Sativa sp., Cannabis being the genus and sativa being the species, followed by what is known as a “specific epithet” that identifies only one plant that resides under this name (sp.).
Understanding Binomial Nomenclature and Taxonomic Hierarchy
Within the system of worldwide taxonomic categories, we use the outlines of shared characteristics of all life on earth, placing each aspect into this series of classifications.
Cannabis Sativa sp.
- Kingdom: Plantae (Plant)
- Phylum: Tracheobionta- (Vascular plants)
- Class: Dicotyledons (2 seed leaves)
- Family: Cannabaceae- Hemp Family
- Order: Rosales– suborder Urticalean Rosids
- Genus: Cannabis
- Species: Sativa L. (L. of Linnaeus)
The kingdom aspect describes what part of the world it is. Plantae is Latin for plants and for example would be shown as Minerae (Latin for mineral) if it were classifying a mineral rather than a plant. Phylum expresses the fundamental characteristics of the lifeform such as Chordata (animals with backbones) being the phylum for human beings. With Cannabis the classification of Tracheobionta is used which expresses in Latin that its biologics are of a trachea or tubing such as Cannabis plants Vascular system. Many other species of plants share this trait of using a plant venation system including most evergreen trees.
Class infers to the taxonomic ranking of further collective traits that identify the uniqueness of the plant. Cannabis is known to be a Dicotyledon, which names the characteristics of flowering plants that have two seed leaves when germinated and use leaves with veins that lace together to form a plant Phyto network. Within this class it also identifies having the tendency to have flowering parts that occur in groups of four or five parts. Many legumes, peas and beans are within this classification rank.
The Family of Cannabaceae in which Cannabis resides consists of the Hemp Family and has over 170 different species within it. Other well-known species in the family are Humulus or Hops- a vining plant used to make beer and Celtis, known as “Hackberries,” which are in striking contrast, large deciduous trees that bear purple fruits.
Order is the ranking which further clarifies the characteristics of plant life and common traits shared with its genomic kin. This shares the position of expressing its closest relatives. Cannabis is in the Order of Roses, expressed as Rosales in Latin terminology. Within this classification lies over 7,700 other species and 9 families. Many well-known and consumable plants reside under this order and are seen as aromatic and broadly flavored. Urticalean is yet another suborder that identifies it as being a fibrous form of plant.
In the ranking of Genus, it is further defining the traits of the plant’s species through Phylogenetic or genetic makeup and is the first word seen in the Latin binomial of a plant’s name. Taxonomists base these aspects in modern times through chlorophyll genetic testing. Cannabis is the genus title for our well-known herbal plant and is derived from the Latin word Canna which is the ancient word for Reed or Cane.
Species is the classification in which it is most used to communicate plants. This is the second word found in two Latin words that make up the binomial nomenclature of the botanical. Sativa is the most prominently used as Cannabis Sativa sp. defines both Hemp and THC delta 9 bearing herb plants.
Characteristics of the Cannabis species
In total there are currently 3 defined species of Cannabis
- Cannabis Sativa– A tall thin leafed cultivar that bears several levels of cannabinoid ratios and has been hybridized with the following species for production rates in medical marijuana industries. The word Sativa itself in Latin notes the definition of “cultivated”, meaning this plant has been used by man for centuries and is known to be good for your health.
- Cannabis Indica– A shorter, larger leaf, fatter stalked species that thrives in colder climates. Certain taxonomists have discussed the existence of Cannabis afghani– a higher THC and more potent plant (Medical Marijuana) that has genetic roots in the Afghanistan and Pakistan regions-as a separate and unique strain under this species though it has not officially been put into use. The word Indica, in Latin terminology is defined as “of India” implying these genetics all originated from the country of India.
- Cannabis Ruderalis– “Autoflower”- In botanical terms is known as the feral or wild form of Cannabis. This plant is low in chemical compounds in comparison to other species and is becoming known for its unique ability to not be sensitive to the cycles of light which trigger flowering in other species. Ruderalis as a Latin root word is historically defined as “rubble’ or “recolonization”. These species cannot be cloned and must be propagated through seeds.
All discoveries and notations within the differing aspects of the taxonomy rankings of a plant are based on the International Codes of Nomenclature– which agrees on the global references of each specimen. Soon with more research it is hoped to add several more defining aspects of hybridized specimens and DNA mapping to the refinements of Cannabis plants and the nomenclature used to define them.
Common names most often follow Latin titles and in Cannabis we now have thousands of cross breeds of all the species that each have their own “common name”.
When properly written it is seen as Cannabis Sativa – indica – “O.G.Kush”.
In social terms it is imperative to educate on the false education of the words “Indica” and “Sativa”, implying a “Uppity high” or “couchlock “effect when in truth these are terms which are characteristics of growth and not of chemical or Cannabinoid makeup, which is the true agent for the effects of the Cannabis plants.
Cannabis plant has had a complicated entry into the databanks of history as several different entities and scientists along the way and up until this day, still heavily debate on the proper classification of the plant’s heritage. Some reflect the plant being a polytypic genus meaning all one species with subspecies beneath it. While others believe that all specimens are varieties of the same species. This is defined by the fact that hybridization can occur within all 3 occurrences both male and female derived.
To better define the terms, a species is a group that can all reproduce with one another while in mirror, a varietal is a naturally occurring variation of the species. This would be true in a Pothos vining plant where both varieties are Pothos, but one is variegated, while the other is not. They possess the same DNA structure but look different in coloring. Certain research points have begun to further classify varieties such as terms that can be seen written such, Cannabis Sativa var. spontanea (autoflower) and Cannabis indica var. kafristanica.
The argument for definition continues as debates are held that cannabinoid and phytochemical content should be a bearing fact on the classification of the botanical versions. The ability to extract a definitely different set of biochemicals from a plant is upheld as being a major factor influencing the decision for the universal placement of the plant’s nomenclature. These discussions still currently take place and remain fragmented in making a coordinated global decision.
While there are strains of Cannabis sativa that are bred to have low levels of THC (often referred to as hemp), there are also high-THC cultivars within this species. The distinction between hemp and marijuana typically hinges on the THC content, with hemp defined as having less than 0.3% THC by dry weight according to U.S. federal law.
If it decided clearly within the botanical research aspects, that either subspecies or varietals are the most appropriate terminology for the plant it would further the unification of research and information and create a linear understanding for students of the plant. In practice currently it is most often seen as a species with sub species forward from it.
There is hope in the cannabis research community that, as genetic testing and biochemistry continue to advance, a more nuanced understanding of cannabis varieties will emerge. This could lead to a more standardized approach to nomenclature that reflects both the agricultural practices and the chemical makeup of the plants.
References:
[1] McPartland JM. Cannabis Systematics at the Levels of Family, Genus, and Species. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2018 Oct 1;3(1):203-212. doi: 10.1089/can.2018.0039. PMID: 30426073; PMCID: PMC6225593.
