abbreviated taxonomic terms

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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) Sep 30, 2004

I looked in the botanary, but couldn't find these abbreviated terms... on lots of botanical signs I have noticed the terms 'aff.' and 'cf.'... what do those stand for? Usually they come between a genus and species name. Does this mean that plant is maybe NOT that species, or it Looks like that species... maybe has 'affinities' to that species... a 'cultivar' of that species... ? ..no idea. ANyone know what these stand for?

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Baa Sep 30, 2004

Yes Palmbob, aff. is short for affinis (affinity) and is often used when a plant is very close to the species/cultivar but has a difference to the norm.

Cf. I believe (but don't quote me ;) is short for confer, again basically means to compare with another species/cultivar for it's similarities/differences.

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