basionym

English

Alternative forms

• basonym

Etymology

From basi- (“base”) + -onym (“name”).

Noun

basionym (plural basionyms)

1. (botany, taxonomy) An earlier valid scientific name of a species that has since been renamed and from which the new name is partially derived.

   The name, Arundinaria distans is the basionym of Colanthelia distans.

Usage notes

The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature includes the following normative definition:

• A previously published legitimate name-bringing or epithet-bringing synonym from which a new name is formed for a taxon of different rank or position (Art. 33.4, 49.1 and 52.3)

See also

• synonym