What is a type specimen?

Answer

A type specimen is a single plant specimen chosen by the botanist who first named and published the species to represent the species as a whole. That specimen then becomes the definitive example of that species. This specimen (as a dried plant or occasionally an illustration) is preserved in a herbarium  It can then be consulted when similar species are found or related species need to be identified.

The definition given above is strictly for what is termed a "holotype". There are other categories of type specimens. The NYBG Steere Herbarium website defines these other categories if you are interested: 

http://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/herbarium_imaging/typedefinition.asp.html.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service

  • Last Updated Apr 02, 2018
  • Views 84
  • Answered By Anita Finkle

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