to italicize or not to italicize...

David Ehrlich idavide@sbcglobal.net
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:58:51 PDT
My bible on Plant Systematics gives the ICBN recommendations, which are that both the generic and specific epithets should be italicized.  The authority is not italicized.  If you are referring to a variety or subspecies, the “var.” or “subsp.” is not italicized, but the following epithet is, e.g., 
          Lyonia ligustrina (L.) DC. var. filiosiflora (Michx.) Furlow
 
Higher taxa are always capitalized; they are generally italicized by Europeans, but not by Americans.
 
Cultivar names should have a capital initial and either be included in single quotes or preceded by “cv.”  They are never italicized.
 
Hybrid names are preceded by ´, and are italicized.

David Ehrlich


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