The Eastern redbud is scientifically named Cercis canadensis. Which option names it correctly?

The Eastern redbud is scientifically named Cercis canadensis. Which option names it correctly?

• A. Betula pendula
• B. Cercis canadensis
• C. Quercus robur
• D. Acer saccharum

Answer: (B)

Binomial nomenclature uses a two-part Latin name for each species: the genus name is capitalized and the species epithet is lowercase, and both are typically written in italics. For the Eastern redbud, the correct name is Cercis canadensis. Here, Cercis is the genus that groups redbud trees, and canadensis designates this specific species within that genus. The other names refer to completely different trees—Betula pendula is the silver birch, Quercus robur is the pedunculate oak, and Acer saccharum is the sugar maple—so they do not identify the Eastern redbud.

Binomial nomenclature uses a two-part Latin name for each species: the genus name is capitalized and the species epithet is lowercase, and both are typically written in italics. For the Eastern redbud, the correct name is Cercis canadensis. Here, Cercis is the genus that groups redbud trees, and canadensis designates this specific species within that genus. The other names refer to completely different trees—Betula pendula is the silver birch, Quercus robur is the pedunculate oak, and Acer saccharum is the sugar maple—so they do not identify the Eastern redbud.