Question

Botanical names of plants are treated in Latin because
(a) Rules of nomenclature were framed by Italian botanists as they were speaking Latin.
(b) It is very difficult to pronounce Latin names and convey multiple meanings.
(c) Latin was the natural language of many European countries.
(d) Latin was a dead language, its words would convey precise meaning. It was considered the mother of all European languages and all the early botanical literature was in Latin.

Answer 1

Hint: Linnaeus and other scientists use Latin for botanical names in biological classification as no people or nation uses it as an official language. Many biologists gave the species they described long Latin names which could be altered at will and hence were not accurate.

Complete answer:
The Botanical names of plants are treated in Latin because Latin was a dead language, its words would convey precise meaning. It was considered the mother of all European languages and all the early botanical literature is in Latin. All the names in the biological classification are in the language, Latin. Before Linnaeus, species naming practices varied from individual to individual. This was a very confusing practice. For example, a scientist comparing two descriptions of species may not be able to say which organisms he was referring to. For instance take the example of the common wild briar rose which was initially referred to by different botanists as ‘Rosa sylvestris inodora seu canina’ and ‘Rosa sylvestris alba cum rubore, folio glabro.’
The names which we come across in biological classifications are written in italics. When we read the name of a plant or animal the first word represents its genus while the second term represents the species. This has led to the usage of the term binomial classification. The first letter of the genus is always written in capital letters.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Latin was a dead language, its words would convey precise meaning. It was considered the mother of all European languages and all the early botanical literature is in Latin.’

Note:
- Many languages may have Latin bases but they don't use all of it. So when a scientist speaks of a plant or animal name he or she would not insult any country.
- The need for a precise naming system in old times was made even greater by the humongous number of plants and animals that were being discovered.