Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk - Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia

Naming plants – how and why we give them names

In addition to a common name, all plants have a scientific name. The scientific name for Brown Barrel, is Eucalyptus fastigata. The first part of the name, Eucalyptus, indicates the genus to which the plant belongs. This part of the name is shared by a group of plants with similar physical characteristics, i.e. with other eucalypts. The second part of the name, fastigata, pertains only to this particular eucalypt. Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) is another example. The first part of the name, Acacia, indicates the genus. The second part, melanoxylon, means "black wood".

This "binomial" (two names) system for naming plants (and animals) allows us to know exactly which species we are talking about. This is particularly important in Australia, where there are hundreds of eucalypt species and wattles.

• Forest Starwort (Stellaria flaccid)
• Mint Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos)
• Prickly Currant Bush (Coprosma quadrifida)
• Fireweed Groundsel (Senecio linearifolius)