Who is responsible for establishing the binomial system of naming plants?

• A. Aristotle
• B. Weinberg
• C. Linnaeus
• D. Dirr

Answer: (C)

Two-part Latin names give each plant a universal way to be identified by its genus and species. This system was established by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist in the 18th century, who proposed naming organisms with a genus name followed by a species epithet. By standardizing names this way, scientists worldwide can communicate clearly about the same plant, regardless of local common names or languages. Linnaeus also set rules for capitalization and italics (genus capitalized, species lowercase, names often in Latin) that are still used today. Aristotle lived long before this system, and later horticulturists or writers are not the originators of the binomial approach.