Nameing new plants/species
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For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
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Nameing new plants/species
Hi all, at a great zone 9 convention on Sun.I had the following thought. An esteemed speaker mentioned that after finding a new plant it was named with regard to location etc or even after some notable cactus grower. Sometimes the plant was discovered in dangerous localities and at great physical endurance to the finder. So why is it not named after the finder. Are there any botanical or other reasons why .Thanks
Re: Nameing new plants/species
Yes, excellent day at Gloucester on Sunday, I think plants can be named after the finder but it depends who is naming the plant. Plants named for people are normally named by others rather than by the finder themselves. i.e. Matucana Hoxeyi was named for the finder but not by the finder, not sure if there is an unwritten rule for this or if it is modesty that stops the person that finds a new species from naming it after themselves.
Stuart
Stuart
- Tony R
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
I don't think there is anything in the current International Code of Nomenclature (for algae, fungi, and plants) that says you cannot name a species after yourself. But to avoid vanity (?!) the custom is for someone else to name the plant in your honour.Stuart wrote:Yes, excellent day at Gloucester on Sunday, I think plants can be named after the finder but it depends who is naming the plant. Plants named for people are normally named by others rather than by the finder themselves. i.e. Matucana Hoxeyi was named for the finder but not by the finder, not sure if there is an unwritten rule for this or if it is modesty that stops the person that finds a new species from naming it after themselves.
Stuart
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
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Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Re: Nameing new plants/species
Although there have been examples of 'reciprocal naming' - Haworthia and Duvalia as an example, plus the tale of Andrew Carnegie being somewhat underwhelmed when he saw the plant named for him, is there anyone who has named a species after themselves.
Stuart
Stuart
- KarlR
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
How on earth could Carnegie be underwhelmed by having the Saguaro named after him?Stuart wrote:Although there have been examples of 'reciprocal naming' - Haworthia and Duvalia as an example, plus the tale of Andrew Carnegie being somewhat underwhelmed when he saw the plant named for him, is there anyone who has named a species after themselves.
Stuart
- Aiko
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
Maybe he likes to trade with mister Blossfeld...KarlR wrote:How on earth could Carnegie be underwhelmed by having the Saguaro named after him?
- DaveW
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
From an account I read of the occasion Carnegie was underwhelmed when he found out the plant was not a new discovery (hardly would have previously been overlooked at that size and visibility) but simply a transfer from Cereus to the new genus Carnegia by Britton & Rose, thereupon immediately lost all interest in it:-
Cereus giganteus Engelmann, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 2, 14: 336. 1852; Pilocereus giganteus (Engelmann) Rümpler: Carnegiea gigantea (Engelmann) Britton & Rose, J. New York Bot. Gard. 9: 188. 1908.
Cereus giganteus Engelmann, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 2, 14: 336. 1852; Pilocereus giganteus (Engelmann) Rümpler: Carnegiea gigantea (Engelmann) Britton & Rose, J. New York Bot. Gard. 9: 188. 1908.
Nottingham Branch BCSS. Joined the then NCSS in 1961, Membership number 11944. Cactus only collection.
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
Alfred lau managed to get a lot of things named after himself when it was 'the young boys he was careing for' who did all the work.
- DaveW
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
The church at work Lithos, god moves in mysterious ways!
Nottingham Branch BCSS. Joined the then NCSS in 1961, Membership number 11944. Cactus only collection.
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Re: Nameing new plants/species
Try explaining that to the boys