Carl von Linné (Carolus Linnaeus) was a Swedish naturalist who lived between 1707 and 1778. since childhood was devoted to the study of plants. Already in 1730 began organizing its own method of classification of species, and in time of his death his books were accepted internationally to classify plants and animals. His system was to group the plants on the basis of their reproductive parts, a procedure called Methodus Sexualis. It also introduced the composite system to designate a plant or animal, according to its scientific name. The first name is the genus, and second, that of the species. Recognized as the most important naturalist of his era, he published over 180 works, including Philosophy highlights botanical plant genera, species of plants and natural systems. In the latter, perhaps the most famous, sought to classify the species of nature: plants, animals and minerals.
According to the Linnaean system, used in the present, plants and animals are identified by two names: one of them is common, and the other is scientific. The former can vary from one language to another, while the scientific name follows in the same language all over the world, usually in Latin.
Linnaeus began his medical studies in Sweden and in 1735 moved to Holland to continue with them. Although it was considered a prestigious naturalist, returned to Sweden in 1738 and was appointed Professor of Medical Practice, which was changed to professor of botany and Dietetics, to adopt it until his death.