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in chaos, as everyone could then Making decisions choose names as they wish. If taxonomic changes are simply Taxonomic decisions are more recommendations, who chooses contentious. The role of is what to follow? For the RHS, the to classify organisms into different task falls to the Nomenclature and groups. These groups (correctly ‘taxa’ Taxonomy Advisory Group (NATAG), or singular ‘’) include family, comprised of plantspeople interested , species, subspecies, variety in horticultural , all under­ and . Botanists constantly stand­ing how the Codes work in update their views on how to classify both botanical and horticultural plants. In the past this was mostly worlds, as well as a broad familiarity Despite the inconvenience, based upon visible characteristics, with garden plants. By bringing but genetic work has added new people together there is usually there are important scientific evidence. As a result botanists have someone familiar with the plants reasons behind plant name been reclassifying plants to reflect discussed. The advisory group also changes and some of these will recently revealed evolutionary has a network of outside experts relationships: that is, those plants on which it can call, and welcomes Why do plant eventually benefit gardeners more closely related to each other contributions from anyone who has Author: Christopher Whitehouse, G than originally thought are now an opinion on what name should be AP

Keeper of the RHS at Wisley / Jo h n Glove r placed in the same group. This should used. Decisions made by the advisory and secretary to the RHS Nomenclature lead to future stability, but at present group are reflected in the latest and Taxonomy Advisory Group names change? we are in a period of change. edition of RHS Plant Finder. Taxonomy works by general So when major changes to the consensus; if a botanist proposes classification of horticulturally ichaelmas daisies objection, and the oft-repeated world because they follow set we must use. Accordingly, a plant Beautiful a classification change, it is simply a important plants are proposed, are known to most phrase ‘why do they always keep rules as agreed in the International until recently named Zephyranthes Zephyranthes recommendation. If it is felt the NATAG looks at the evidence, and minuta (above) gardeners. The changing the names?’ So here is an Code of Nomenclature and the grandiflora (which means large- was once called new classification is useful and considers the views of other botanists common name opportunity to explain why names International Code of Nomenclature floweredZephyranthes) is now Z. grandiflora. based on good evidence then others around the world. Importantly, covers two species change, and who makes the decision. for Cultivated Plants. called Zephyranthes minuta. This Ficaria verna will use it. If not, then it is likely to NATAG decides if the change is (below) is the Mand their , which since the odd situation has occurred because new name for be ignored. New names based on helpful to , not just for time of Linnaeus (more than 250 Why do we use Why names change when first named, the plant was Ranunculus ficaria. taxonomic decisions may come the immediate present (as changes rd years ago) have been known by the There are two types of name change: thought to be an Amaryllis, but an pa from botanists splitting up taxa are rarely welcomed) but for the scientific names? ep h S l botanical names of Aster novi-belgii While common names may be easier nomenclatural and taxonomic. exceptionally small-flowered o into smaller taxa (such as the future, so the horticultural world r a C and Aster novae-angliae. But from to pronounce, it is generally agreed Changes to nomenclature are based one and was therefore named / decision to recognise lesser does not end up using different

S H next year the RHS has agreed to that to talk accurately about a plant, on international rules governing Amaryllis minuta. We have R celandines in a new genus, names from the botanical world. follow the recommendation of a scientific name should be used. names, where one name must be long known the plant to be a Ficaria, rather than botanists around the world and will Common names vary according to used in preference to another. Zephyranthes, but the second Ranunculus) or they can be use the names Symphyotrichum language or even dialect; would you These decisions are straightforward; part of the name must revert to due to grouping smaller taxa More from the RHS For more on novi‑belgii and S. novae‑angliae recognise an aster de virginie or the correct name is the one we follow. the original minuta. We may not in the same taxon (as was changes to Aster and the new genera, respectively (see below). settembrini? Scientific names, by For example, rules state that the first like this new name, but ignoring done with putting Fortunella see the June issue of The Plantsman. I can already hear the voices of contrast, are adopted around the published species name is the one international rules would result and Poncirus into Citrus). www.rhs.org.uk/plantsman

rd pa ep h The name Aster, however, will endure, for well- Advantages for gardeners S Why some Aster names are changing l o r known garden plants remain in the genus, particularly As a result, from 2015, RHS publications will use a C / S So what is wrong with Aster and who came up with this conclusion. North American species of Aster were Aster amellus and its hybrids with A. thomsonii the name Symphyotrichum for Michaelmas H R Symphyotrichum? When the naturalist Linnaeus therefore separated from Aster and put into smaller and A. x frikartii, as well as alpine A. alpinus. daisies and related species. Despite the described the genus Aster he included within it 30 genera. The main one for gardeners is Symphyotrichum. Could we all refuse to adopt this change? The inconvenience, there are benefits to this different species. Over the years, some of these Nomenclature and Taxonomy Advisory Group could change for gardeners. Knowing plants species have been separated into other genera, Using a new name have recommended retaining everything under Aster. are closely related tells us that they have such as Boltonia, Callistephus (annual or Chinese While this makes biological sense, what about the It is an option and is what has been done for the past characteristics in common. This can help aster) and Erigeron, now all accepted genera. name? Surely something easier to say could have 20 years since the change was proposed. But much with understanding cultural require­ Nevertheless, until recently, 20 of Linnaeus’s species been chosen. Sadly, this is where the rules of of the botanical world is adopting Symphyotrichum; ments, help put names to unknown remained within Aster, which by then comprised around nomenclature come into play. These state the first recent major of the world from North America plants, and help identify untested From 2015 the RHS will 250 species across Europe, Asia and North America. name used for the genus must be adopted. In our to China have already used the name. species with which they might breed. classify vibrant Aster In the 1990s, studies proposed that North American case, the name Symphyotrichum was coined by Eventually, horticultural and botanical worlds would It may not make Symphyotrichum any G r ant Aster novi-belgii novae-angliae ‘Andenken species of Aster were more closely related to other Christian Nees von Esenbeck in 1832 and means ‘the use different names for the same plants – gardeners easier to pronounce or remember, but ‘Professor Anton an Alma Pötschke’ as a Kippenberg’. Symphyotrichum. American daisies, such as Solidago (goldenrod). hairs joining together’, referring to a perception that may then end up buying plants under different there is some comfort in us all developing

RHS / Mike L Mike / RHS Molecular work and genetic evidence also supports the hairs on the are fused towards the base. names not knowing that they are one and the same. a better understanding of our plants.

64 The Garden | July 2014 July 2014 | The Garden 65