Two Names by Verbascum

Puzzle explanation

Carolus LINNAEUS invented the BINOMINAL (two-name) system for classifying species. Removing one N leaves “binomial”, defined in Chambers as “consisting of two terms, as a+b”. The BINOMIAL theorem was devised by Sir Isaac NEWTON, who said his theory of gravitation came from considering an apple falling from a tree. Linnaeus named the apple tree PYRUS MALUS (now renamed to Malus domestica). Misprint corrections spelt out Clupea rufa (a spoof Linnaean name for “red herring”), and G (Newton’s gravitational constant). Entries highlighting RED as well as the intended HERRING were accepted if they were “suitably” red.

Clue explanations

Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal

No Misprint Answer Explanation
Across
8   ISN’T (SPRINT − PR) *
12   PALISANDER (PERSIAN LAD) *
13   USWARD U + S(truggled) + DRAW <
14   PYTHIA (THI(s) + PAY) *
15 Gree(C)e RETSINA R + (sal)E + (ISN’T A) *
17   NADA (ADANSON − SON) <
20   ANCOME A + INCOME − I
21 Ma(L)tha MINERAL I’M < + LEARN *
22 t(U)ne TRUE (over)TURE *
23   PROCREATIONAL PL around (RO + (NE CROATIA) *)
24   TONI (IN + OT) <
26 (P)ress PRINTER PINTER around R
29   RANCHO ANCHOR with (soldie)R moved to the front
31 tre(E) BOOM BOO + M(inor)
33   CHAYOTE C(hildren) H(ad) A(pricot) Y(oghurt) O(thers) T(he) E(xquisite)
35   MONROE M + ON + ROE
37 he(A)l SAIN SWAIN − W
38   HELISCOOP (POLICE SHO(w)) *
Down
2   INSEAM (NAMES I) *
3   NOWT ((nihilis)T WON(ders)) <
4   MARINERA RINE in MAR + A(pril)
5   NICAEA CAIN * + EA
6 (R)oof ASPHALTIC HALT in (A + SPIC(a))
7   LAY ON LAY + O’ + N
8   INTACT N after I + (T(hreatened) A(ccepted) C(omplex) T(heories))
9 p(U)nching NEIF FINE *
10 (F)ood TRACE ELEMENT RACE in (NETTLE * around ME)
11   TURN UP TRUMPS (PUN + RUT) < + TRUMPS
16   BORNEO BORNÉ + O
18 wom(A)n DIONNE DONNE around I
19   TREPONEME PERT < + ONE + M(al)E
25 lu(G)e ICE RUN (I + RUN) around CE
27   RICTAL RIAL around CT
28   ROTOLO (he)RO TO LO(se)
30   HOOSH SOHO * + H
32   GOYA G(o)O(d)Y (b)A(g)
34   OTTO O(PEC) T(outing) + TO
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