McMasteri

McMasteri is a hypothetical genus of flowering plants used in botany education to illustrate the principles of taxonomic naming and classification. In many teaching examples, McMasteri is described as a monotypic genus within the family Asteraceae, containing a single species, McMasteri exemplaris. The designation helps students practice constructing taxonomic keys, understanding the type-species concept, and applying nomenclatural rules under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN).

In the educational description, McMasteri exemplaris is portrayed as an annual herb with slender, branched stems reaching up to 40 cm in height. Leaves are linear to lanceolate with serrate margins. The inflorescence is a capitulum, featuring yellow ray florets and a central cluster of disc florets; flowering is depicted as occurring in midsummer. Fruits are described as achenes with a pappus that aids in wind dispersal. The hypothetical plant is assigned characteristics intended to resemble a typical member of the Asteraceae, while remaining simple enough for classroom use.

Distribution and habitat in teaching materials place McMasteri exemplaris in temperate cloud forests at elevations of about 900–1500 meters, in fictional regions of the Andes. Etymology notes state the genus is named in honor of botanist Dr. Jane McMaster, who contributed to botanical education and teaching resources. In practice, McMasteri serves as a placeholder for illustrating taxonomy and is not a recognized taxon in real-world databases. See also: taxonomic nomenclature, monotypic genera, teaching examples.