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Who Names The Plants??
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Posted by arbo_retum z5 ,WinchstrMA (My Page) on Fri, Nov 13, 09 at 0:13
Does anyone know what is the body of botanists responsible for naming/categorizing plants and declaring such things as " persicaria is now falopia" or "sorbus heupehensis Pink Diamond is now sorbus pseudohupehensis Pink Diamond"? I wonder if it's an international body based in Switzerland or what....?
best,
mindy |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Who Names The Plants?
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- Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 13, 09 at 1:36
| International Code of Botanical Nomenlature Here's what wikipedia says
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Code_of_Botanical_Nomenclature |
Here is a link that might be useful: International Code of Botanical Nomenlature
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| most likely people who go out of their way to irritate ME!!! its all about me .... i have been asking for years... why pseudoplanatus... why pseudotsuga ... why psuedolarix ... if we presume pseudo means false ... or fictitious .... then what is the point of naming something that it isnt .... it either is a sycamore.. or it isnt.... its is either a larch.. or it isnt either it is a tsuga.. or it isnt ... there i feel better.. thanks for the opportunity to vent ... pseudoken |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| I am another who doesn't understand the name changes, even slight variations, of the botanical names. I still don't get the reason for the change from Cimicifuga to Actaea. I know that they often find that a group of plants is not so similar and needs to get broken down into smaller groups etc. But, as far as I can see, there isn't any great reason to change the Bugbane name. Perhaps the latin meaning of 'Actaea' better describes the characteristics of the plant better than 'Cimicifuga'? And what about changing Euphorbia polychroma to E. epithymoides? I recently just learned that Eupatoriums are in for a BIG change! Some- not all- of the Eupatoriums are going to be called 'Eupatoriadelphus'. Lazy SS Farm has already changed the name. Scroll down to see it on their page: HERE. DG has also started using it on the plant files, though they have listed the old one as well to help with the transition.
Guess I am going to have to memorize these names all over again!!
CMK |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| Yeah Ken, I always puzzled over Narcissus pseudonarcissus. Isn't that an oxymoron? |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| no .... the perp who named it that is the moron ... oxy or not, i do not know ... obviously its a system of classification.... but the pseudo part is an pseudo classification ... ken |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| Actually, the governing body for plant taxonomy is the International Association of Plant Taxonomy, based in Vienna, Austria. They oversee and maintain the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature as well as the International Bureau of Plant Taxonomy and Nomenclature. They accept recommendations from botanists and other scientists regarding the changing of plant names and if supported by sufficient scientific evidence, authorize the changes under the auspices of an associated organization, the International Botanical Congress. Changes occur when scientists/botanists discover details of a plant's morphology - usually with regards to reproductive organs - that make it either distinct from or very similar to another genus or species. The change from Cimicifuga to Actaea was approved because of DNA evidence that showed there was insufficient distinction between the morphology of the two for Cimicifuga to be a considered a separate genus. As DNA testing becomes more common and expands our knowledge, we will likely see more and more of these taxonomy/plant name changes. But the good news or the break to home gardeners is that name changes are very slow to take effect, especially with regards to growers and suppliers and their catalogs and most gardening resources. The change from Cimicifuga to Actaea has actually been in the works since 1998. You will typically see the plant offered under its old name for a number of years following a change or at the very least, with the old name as a synonym. |
Here is a link that might be useful: changing plant names.......
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| -gardengal, I have a question, sorry if it seems obvious... So Cimicifuga was assimilated by the genus Actaea? That means then that there was already Actaea around in the plant world and it was not some new introduction? I had never heard of Actaea before the Cimicifuga was changed to that. What is the reason for changes in species names? I could see changing a species that wrongly describes a plant, like purpurea, pendula, prostrata when the plant itself was not truly purple/pendulous/prostrate. But what about the Euphorbia polychroma changing to the E. epithymoides? Is that a similar situation? Thanks.
CMK |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| One rule that often forces a name change is that of the first technical description (and naming) that takes precedence. In some cases, we've been using the latter (i.e. younger) name for years. I believe this is the case with the Euphorbia polychroma / epithymoides. Sometimes it takes years for the historical detectives to figure out who actually named/described what first. In addition, the difference can sometimes only be a matter of months! |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| Also, sometimes the new nomenclature backtracks. For example, didn't they change a class of Chrysanthemum to Dendranthema and then a few years later change it back to Chrysanthemum? Makes me wonder if they are just messing with us! |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| wow, this is so cool! I didn't know if I was going to get even one answer and instead i see that there are many of you w/ detailed versions of the same question etc. GG48, I am soooo glad you post here; you are so very knowledgable and your post is so articulate that even I, a botanically challenged gardener,can understand it, and even bring forth an "AHA! The reproductive organs! I get it NOW!!" And thank you pseudoken,(are you related to hobo?)for my biggest laugh outbreak this week.
best,
mindy |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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CMK - yep, Actaea has been around for awhile......not something that was just made up to confuse unsuspecting gardeners by way of an arbitrary name change :-) Several species are US native plants/wildflowers, but there are Asian species as well. Actaea pachypoda is one that I've grown for years -- it is commonly called Doll's Eyes because of the distinctively marked berries that appear after flowering.
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RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| I read that your actaea got that common name (doll's eyes) because the distinctive berries were used as doll's eyes on homemade toys-not a good idea since they are poisonous. |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| I suspect that may be more myth than fact, although years ago before "store bought" toys were common that might have been true :-) I doubt many would consider using a plant berry as part of a homemade toy now. More berries are poisonous than those that are not. The sources I have indicate the common name came about because the berries resemble the eyes used in old fashioned china dolls - again, long since a thing of the past unless you are an antique collector. It is a very cool plant but perhaps one to avoid if you have curious small children in your garden. |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| Wow, Gardengal, thanks for that info. I friend of mine has what looks like this Actaea pachypoda in her yard, back in the woods, and I've never been able to ID it (well, actually, I keep forgetting to try to ID it when I get home from her house, lol.) I'll have to keep an eye out though - I've never noticed the blooms, only those eye-catching berries. We'll keep a closer watch next year. Sorry - didn't mean to get off-track. I was just so happily surprised to see that photo! :)
Dee |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| I'll have to keep an eye out though - I've never noticed the blooms, only those eye-catching berries. We'll keep a closer watch next year. Oh, Dee...a plethora of painful puns...GROAN!!! |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| LOL Mary! I had to read your post a few times through because I didn't realize what you were talking about - then it dawned on me - dolls EYES! I swear I wrote the above in complete innocence. I couldn't have done that if I tried, lol! But now I "see" what you mean! Okay, I'll stop.... 8)
Dee |
RE: Who Names The Plants??
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| pseudoken Oh, no! I thought you were the real one! We might have to ask for ID the next time you post here. |
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