An example is Quercus alba L. Quercus is the genus name for the group of plants commonly known as oaks. The specific epithet is alba , Latin for white, and is descriptive of the the bark and wood of the plant commonly known as white oak. The authority is L., an abbreviation for Linneaus, who first coined a formal name for this plant. Since the time of Linnaeus, the system of nomenclature has become more formalized and codified. The rules contained in the ICBN are revised during the International Botanical Congresses, which are held every six years.
Botanical nomenclature is independent of zoological nomenclature.
The rules of the ICBN do not apply to animals and bacteria. Therefore botanists do not have to be concerned with the names or rules associated with animals and bacteria. The application of names of taxonomic groups is determined by means of nomenclatural types. A plant taxonomist doing research has to study type specimens in order to ensure that names associated with plants are correct. The most important specimen is the holotype .