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cultivated taxonomynews Issue 5 ■ August 2017

The new ICNCP

Developments in Neosinocalamus

30 YEARS OF PLANT FINDER HORTAX cultivated plant group CPT News ■

Why cultivated matters

James Armitage regulated, a process impossible without first Editor distinguishing and enumerating them.

Recently I was fortunate enough to be invited to Culture. Cultivated are anchored to people, give a talk on behalf of Hortax at a symposium in places and events and, as with other artefacts of Berlin organised by cultivated plant conservation history, worthy of study and explanation. charity Netzwerk Pflanzensammlungen. It is gratifying that I have the opportunity here to There is every reason to believe that message thank my hosts for an enjoyable and illuminating is already gaining understanding and acceptance few days. and this issue of CPT News reports on some great progress for Hortax and the wider community of As is so often the case when I meet people cultivated plant taxonomy. Projects in the pipeline interested in cultivated plants, I was much include the relaunch of the Hortax website, the impressed by the unshakeable certainty in the importance of their work shown by my fellow delegates. How, I asked myself, might this individual conviction be translated into a collective message that could advance the Cultivated plants study and understanding of cultivated plants are anchored to in all aspects of their diversity. The answer, of course, is simple: clear and consistent people, places communication. and events. The study of cultivated plants takes many forms. Some people are interested in their appearance of a first volume of the Journal of classification, others in their cataloguing, Cultivated Plant Diversity and the hosting of a characterisation or conservation. Diverse as these‘ second European Cultivated Plant Taxonomists' disciplines are, the reasons why they are practised Forum, all major achievements for Hortax. and valued can be explained to the world in the same terms. Also in this edition, Dr John David gives an update on changes to the International Code of . Plants in cultivation include unique for Cultivated Plants and Marco and genetic combinations unknown Hoffman provides details of the publication of in nature, without consideration of which any two works helping to standardise plant names in biological system is incomplete. , while Junyi Shi, Yuxiao Zhang, Dequn Zhou and Jun Yao discuss five new of . Globally, the majority of people now live Neosinocalamus, as part of their exemplary work in urban zones where cultivated plants are the with the registration of bamboos. Please help dominant , forming ecosystems which circulate this newsletter by sharing it with your are unquantified and providing ecosystem services friends. ■ that are unqualified. Membership is entirely without charge. If you Law and logistics. Like other man-made would like to become a member of Hortax please commodities, cultivated plants are retailed and contact [email protected] 2

News

Spectacular setting for VII International Symposium on the taxonomy of cultivated plants Singapore Botanic is to provide the beautiful backdrop to the next International Symposium on the Taxonomy of Cultivated Plants in 2019. Details are yet to be announced but a more fitting venue to discuss the importance of cultivated of ivy are each described, the world is fed, they comprise plants than the renowned city with photographs of their native the major habitat- in the within a could hardly be habitats, and a key to their environments where most imagined. The VI Symposium identification is provided. As well people now live, they are a was held in Beijing in July 2013. as the checklist, the monograph source of energy, essential includes accounts of nearly 200 in construction, landscape of the best cultivars, along with management, leisure and New monograph their versatile garden uses, each amenity. However, the illustrated with photographs. taxonomic work which allows on ivies us to understand this resource is The second in a new Next in the pipeline is a without well-established outlets of monographs was recently comprehensive guide to into the academic literature. published by the RHS. A , to be published in rhapsody on ivies, : 2018. This monograph will The requirement for a journal the Complete Guide explores explore the species, their cultural to meet this need has been the ecology, wildlife and significance, their often tortuous recognised previously and environmental value, and introduction to cultivation and in 2006 the first volume of innovative garden uses of the stunning range of cultivars Hanburyana was produced from this undervalued . Like available. It will also include the within the Department , published in 2016, a most recent developments in of the Royal Horticultural Society complete checklist of cultivars molecular research on this genus. (RHS). A further six volumes of is included. In total, over 2,000 this journal were produced. cultivars, scientific names and synonyms are catalogued. The 12 Launch of new Four years after the last edition of Hanburyana, the journal taxonomic journal is being relaunched as a joint Cultivated plants are essential venture between Hortax and the Above. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. to human health and wellbeing. RHS as the Journal of Cultivated Photo. RHS / Stephen Bennett. They are the means by which Plant Diversity. HORTAX 3 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

Visit the new Hortax website A new version of the Hortax website is available now. More easily navigable and with a greater focus on news and events, it is the place to go for anyone with an interest in the classification of cultivated plants. The site structure has been simplified but retains all the information, advisory material and links to external resources as previously.

Please visit www.hortax.org.uk and link from your own website. If you have any comments or queries please send them to [email protected] ■

Though there will only be a ♦♦ proposals to amend the small print run of each volume, International Code of Recent Publications the journal will be freely Nomenclature for Cultivated available to view online. Subject Plants Chase, M., Christenhusz, M., matter covered by the journal ♦♦ proposals to conserve names Mirenda, T. (2017). The Book will include: ♦♦ special edition conference of Orchids. London: Quarto. proceedings ♦♦ alien plants of horticultural ♦♦ studies on relationship and Leslie, A.C. (2016). The origin attribution International ♦♦ checklists Register and Checklist. ♦♦ concepts and theories No fee will be charged to authors London: Royal Horticultural ♦♦ plants including land for publication. Society. races and crop’s wild relatives ♦♦ cultivated plant floristics If you do not receive copies of Matthews, L.J. (2016). : ♦♦ garden inventories CPT News by email but would A Guide to Cultivated Species ♦♦ lists of registrations like to receive notification and Varieties. Honolulu: ♦♦ lists of standard specimens of issues of the Journal of University of Hawaii Press. ♦♦ monographic treatments of Cultivated Plant Diversity, please appropriate size write to hortaxgroup@gmail. McAllister, H., Marshall, R. ♦♦ new taxa com. If you would like further (2017). Hedera: The Complete ♦♦ nomenclatural housekeeping information about the Journal Guide. London: Royal ♦♦ opinion pieces of Cultivated Plant Diversity Horticultural Society. or to submit a paper please Above. Kniphofia rooperi. The contact the Editor in Chief Rukšāns, J. (2017). The World first ever checklist of Kniphofia ([email protected]). of . Riga: Latvian was published in Hanburyana. Academy of Sciences. Photo. RHS / Katy Prentice. 4 ■ August 2017

Allen, should be changed to ■ European Society [email protected] The link to their registration Changes for queries, while for sending page should be listed as www. registration material please use kalmia-society.org/registrar. [email protected] php?&lang=gb to ICRAs ■ American Society ■ Gesneriad Society, Inc. The email for the registrar, Reiner The email for the Registrar, Jakubowski, is now registrar@ Irina Nicholson, is now Alan Leslie americanpeonysociety.org [email protected] ■ Kalmthout ■ Heather Society A number of changes to ICRAs Foundation (Hamamelis) Registration contact details are have already accrued since the The contact details for the now The Honorary Secretary, publication of the 9th edition of Registrar, Abraham Rammeloo, The Heather Society, 84 Kinross the Cultivated Plant Code (2016). should be changed to Road, Rushington, Totton, Arboretum Kalmthout, Heuvel Southampton SO40 9BN, UK ■ African Violet Society of 8, B-2920 Kalmthout, Belgium. with an email of secretary@ America, Inc. Email: abraham.rammeloo@ heathersociety.org The fax number relating to arboretumkalmthout.be Saintpaulia registrations is now ■ Society (+1) 409 839 4329 ■ Beijing Botanic Garden has a International () new link to its registration page: The contact details for the ■ American Hemerocallis (www.malusregister.org/Web). Registrar, David Skinner, should Society be changed to 1411 Lucy Street, The registration page link should ■ Blahnik, Ing. Zdeněk Tallahassee, Florida 32308, USA. be revised to www..org/ (Lonicera) Email: [email protected] DaylilyDB/regform.php The contact details should be changed to Jungmannova 564, ■ Indian Agricultural Research ■ American Society 25101 Ricany, Czech Republic. Institute () The email address for the Email: [email protected] The contact details for the Registrar, Gayle Hartley new Registrar, Dr S.S. Sindhu, should be listed as Registrar, International Centre for Registration Authority (ICRA) on Bougainvillea, Head, of & Landscaping and School Coordinator, School of Horticulture, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute ( Campus), New Delhi-110012, India, with email [email protected]

■ International Society Note that this ICRA now has representatives handling

Left. Lonicera standishii var. lancifolia ‘Budapest’. Photo. RHS / Carol Sheppard. HORTAX 5 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

■ International Society The email address for the Registrar, Ryan Russell, should be changed to russellry76@ yahoo.com

■ International Waterlily and Water Society () The link to their registration page should now be www. nelumbolotus.com/en_login.asp

■ Lakeland Horticultural Society () The new Registrar is Malcolm Pharoah, Lower Tithe Barn, Marwood, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4EB, UK. Email: [email protected]. The link to their registration page should now be www. nelumbolotus.com/en_login.asp

■ Meconopsis Group The contact details for the new cultivars used as a source of oil ■ International Carnivorous Registrar, Dr Geoff Hill, should and for those used for producing Plant Society be listed as Cedar Gables, tea, as follows: The list of registered cultivars 33 Pencuick Road, Roslin, can now be found at http:// Midlothian EH25 9LJ, Scotland. Oil cultivars – contact Dr Li carnivorousplants.org/cultivars/ Email: meconopsisregistrar@ Jiyuan, Research Institute of names.php btinternet.com. The fax number Subtropical , Chinese should be deleted. Academy of Forestry, No. ■ International 73 Daqiao Road, Fuyang, Registration Center for ■ Morton Arboretum (Ulmus) Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s The new registrar is Matthew Republic of China. Email: The postal address for the S. Lobdell (email mlobdell@ [email protected] Registrar, Prof. Qibai Xiang, mortonarb.org). The postal should be listed as Room address remains the same. Tea cultivars – Tea Research 7C-301/7C-303, Department Institute of the Chinese of Botany, College of Biology ■ Society Academy of Agricultural and the Environment, Nanjing International Sciences. Contact: Prof. Liang Forestry University, 159 The contact details for the new Chen, 9 South Meiling Road, Longpan Lu, Nanjing, Jiangsu Registrar, Robert Kennedy , Hangzhou 310008, People’s 210037, People’s Republic should be listed as Old Walland, Republic of China. Email: of China. Brinkers Lane, Wadhurst, East [email protected] Sussex TN56 6LU, UK. Email: ■ International Society Registrar@PassifloraCultivars. The email for the registrar, Peter org Registration Page: www. Above. Passiflora ‘Justine Lyons’. Gregory, is now pgregoryuk@ passifloracultivars.org/ Photo. RHS / Tim Sandall. gmail.com application 6 ■ August 2017

■ Society of America. The new registrar is Mark New ICRA Wright, 28198 Carnoustie Drive, Missouri City, Texas 77459, USA On 1 February 2017 the ISHS Special Commission for Cultivar ([email protected]). Nomenclature appointed the Society of America (ESA) to be the ICRA for and Rhipsalidopsis. This is ■ Polly Hill Arboretum the first time these genera have been covered by an ICRA. The ESA This is now the ICRA for . have been ICRA for Cactaceae Hylocereeae since 1958 and will The registrar is Mr Timothy M. continue in that role. The new Registrar is Lee Goodfellow, 1120 Boland, who can be contacted Sunrise Drive, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada V9K 1C3 at Polly Hill Arboretum, Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 561, West Tisbury, Massachusetts 02575, USA (tim@ Lee has already prepared a draft Checklist for these genera. At the pollyhillarboretum.org). same time as making this appointment the Special Commission has designated these two genera as belonging to the same denomination ■ Cultivar for the purposes of registration: in other words new cultivar Registration Authority epithets may no longer be duplicated between the two genera. The email contact for the Registrar, Joan Sadie, should be changed to [email protected] Revised denomination classes

The link to the registration Following recent taxonomic revisions the genus Saintpaulia is now page is now www.daff. treated as a within the genus . This change za/daffweb3/Portals/0/ has been accepted both by the African Violet Society of America General%20Publications/ (AVSA), who have been ICRA for Saintpaulia since 1966, and by the The%20International%20 Gesneriad Society who have had responsibility for the remainder of Proteaceae%20Register%20 the since 1958. The AVSA will thus now become %E2%80%94%202010.pdf the become the ICRA for Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia and the Special Commission has designated two denomination classes ■ Royal Horticultural Society – within Streptocarpus, one for Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia, the other for the remainder of the genus. The email address for the registrar, Duncan Donald, should be changed to ■ Royal Horticultural Society – now ceased to operate and the [email protected] entry should be deleted. New The email address for the registrations should ■ Royal Horticultural Society – Registrar, Duncan Donald, should now be directed to Stefan Lura be changed to lilyregistrar@rhs. ([email protected]) at the The contact details for the org.uk US National Arboretum (Acting Registrar, Sharon McDonald, for the American Public Gardens should be changed to Ms Sharon ■ Royal New Zealand Institute Association, who are the ICRA for McDonald, 22 Route de Ruffec, of Horticulture unassigned genera). 79110 Couture d’Argenson, The address for the Registrar, France. Additional email: Murray Dawson, should be ■ Swedish Society [email protected] changed to: Royal New Zealand This ICRA has ceased to operate Institute of Horticulture, PO and there is no longer an ICRA ■ Royal Horticultural Society – Box 85012, Lincoln University, for Hoya cultivars. Lincoln 7647, New Zealand. The contact details for the Registrar should be changed as ■ St-Pierre, Dr Richard for Conifers above. This ICRA (Amelanchier) has HORTAX 7 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

New editions of the Lists of Names of Woody Plants and Perennials Marco Hoffman is a taxonomist working at Naktuinbouw. Here he reports on the publication of two volumes that will help to standardise names of European garden plants.

t is a year since new editions The main purpose of the lists always in combination with the of the List of Names of is to ensure international preferred and identifying name. Woody Plants and the List uniformity in the naming of Names of Perennials of these . The use of Iwere published. In these new one name in the of the The role of the ENA editions (2016–2020) more preferred scientific name is the than 12,000 new names were basis for this. If everyone uses and ISU added. In addition, there are this preferred name, it makes dozens of taxonomic changes for better communication. The list of names of woody crops and thousands of cultivars Trade designations (including is supervised by the European to which indicators for plant ) can be added, but Nursery Stock Association protection have been added.

The two Lists of Names are composed by Naktuinbouw under the auspices of the European Nursery Stock Association (ENA) and the Internationale Stauden Union (ISU). The lists give the preferred names, synonyms and trade designations of almost 45,000 woody plants and 24,000 perennials. These are the official names of the commercial range of nursery stock in and for the most part the . In total, the two lists contain 80,000 names.

Right. Clematis Petit Faucon (‘Evisix’). Photo © Dorling Kindersley. Far right. maculatum Atropurpureum Group. Photo. RHS / Wendy Wesley.

8 ■ August 2017

(ENA), and the list of perennials by the Internationale Stauden Union (ISU). This makes them the international guiding lists in the nursery industry for determining the correct spelling and the preferred names of , conifers, and perennials.

For the publication of the two lists of names, two working groups, one for each organisation, have been active. In both working groups are taxonomists / specialists and growers from several European countries, e.g. representatives from RHS Plant Finder, SCUD and Bund Deutsche Baumschulen.

The cooperation with these parties ensures a good balance of scientific / legal correctness and practical workability. Both international organisations highly recommend using these lists, since doing so will improve international communication There is also intensive still applies and, if so, for which and trade. exchange with various plant countries and/or regions (e.g. EU, rights’ offices, such Netherlands, , France as CPVO in Angers and several or UK). New names and national offices. This means not only that new names can indications of Plant be added, but also that the The need for Breeders’ Rights possession of Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) can be indicated. changes to names Both lists have been expanded There are now more than from the previous edition due 8,000 such cultivars. Since The challenge in preparing the to increased activity in breeding Plant ’s Rights can be lists is to position them in the and the internationalisation added or discontinued, these field of tension between science, within the nursery sector. In should always be checked law and practice. total over 8,500 names of woody with the relevant national plants and more than 3,500 office. These sources have the On the one hand, the lists must names of perennials have been current and legally correct comply with internationally added. These 12,000 names information. The website www. agreed scientific conventions, relate to more than 8,000 species internationalplantnames. but on the other hand, they must and cultivars. Because more and com gives references to the be user-friendly for commercial more cultivars have extra trade websites of official registration purposes. Many nurserymen designations or synonyms, there authorities, where users can don’t like changes to names are more names than plants. ascertain whether protection because they have to update HORTAX 9 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

Above. Since the splitting of into various genera, New asters such as ‘Röter Stern’ have been moved to novae-angliae. Photo. RHS / Carol Sheppard.

10 ■ August 2017

Above. Lamprocapnos spectabilis Several radical changes have Ordering copies of ‘Valentine’, previously listed under not yet been made because the spectabilis. Photo. RHS / Jason horticultural industry is not ready the lists Ingram. yet. Examples are the splitting of Aster into Symphyotrichum In the Netherlands the lists and other genera, the splitting can be ordered via www. of Eupatorium maculatum and internationalplantnames. their catalogues and labels and E. purpureum into Eutrochium, com. They can also be their customers may not know the change from Dicentra collected at Naktuinbouw the new names. spectabilis to Lamprocapnos in Roelofarendsveen and at spectabilis and the change of several national nursery stock After review and discussion nootkatensis organisations. The list of names within the working groups of the and Cupressocyparis × leylandii of woody crops costs €55, and ENA and ISU, some 60 taxonomic to nootkatensis and the list of perennials €45. The lists name changes were introduced. Cupressus × leylandii. These new are also available digitally. Most relate to changes in crops names have been provisionally with little commercial value. recognised as synonymous. The database containing the But some are quite substantial, Often these names are already names of woody crops and such as the change of used by scientists and plant perennials can be consulted at japonica to variety offices, and may become. www.internationalplantnames. japonicum. The website www. the preferred names in future com. ■ internationalplantnames.com editions of the lists. contains a list of the taxonomic changes implemented.

HORTAX 11 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■ The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants A new version of the ICNCP was published in 2016. John David, Head of Horticultural Taxonomy at the RHS, notes some changes to be aware of.

fter a long gestation made available online a year after as a trade designation. This will the ninth edition of publication (August 2017). apply to multi-grafted fruit trees the International Code (such as “family trees” where more of Nomenclature for There were no major changes in than three different cultivars are ACultivated Plants (ICNCP) was the Code this time and a summary involved) as well as to the recent published at the beginning of the changes can be found and Chips® plant, the graft of July 2016. This edition of in the Preface. What follows is a of an aubergine and a , the Code is the outcome of brief summary of some notable marketed by Thompson & Morgan. the decisions of the IUBS differences between the previous The definition of a has International Commission for and present versions of the Code. the Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants made at the meeting held in Beijing in July 2013. At Trade designations that meeting we were joined by a representative of UPOV One of the key where (International Union for the changes have been made is Protection of New Varieties of around trade designations. In the Plants), Yolanda Huerta, as well statement of Principles of the as Jean Maison representing ICNCP it is spelt out more clearly the CPVO (EU Community Plant that such designations are not Variety Office). Their input was regulated by the Code, and this is most helpful in looking at ways laid out in Art. 13 and in Appendix to reduce the discrepancies X. A new note in Art. 2.22 (Note between the UPOV Rules 7) states that a collective name and the ICNCP and therefore given to a plant composed of provide a more consistent different cultivars grafted onto a approach in the naming of single is to be treated cultivated plants. Right. Names of intergeneric graft As with the previous edition, it such as + Laburnocytisus is published in the ISHS series, ‘Adamii’ are regulated by the Scripta Horticulturae, and will be ICNCP. Photo © Simon Garbutt. 12 ■ August 2017

Above. The ICNCP aims to provide existing accepted name under the a stable method of naming taxa of ICNCP. The superseded accepted cultivated plants. Right. The new name becomes a synonym of the Code. Photo. RHS / Justin Tallis. adopted name. been transferred from Art. 13 to Series Art. 11, the Article which defines accepted names, even though Another kind of designation used for a synonym is not an accepted cultivated plants is the Series. These name. However, it was thought also are not regulated by the ICNCP important to define synonyms (Rec. 22B.1), but a new provision is with respect to accepted names made for Series to be transposed and adopted names. The latter is a into Groups where it does not cause new term, introduced in Art. 11.3, confusion. This is most likely to occur for a cultivar name registered by where Series are defined using a statutory registration authority taxonomically meaningful criteria. that takes priority over a previously In addition, Appendix X has been HORTAX 13 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

Left. Rosa ‘Madame A. Meilland’, usually sold under the trade designation Peace, hybridised by Francis Meilland in 1935.

Although trade designations are not regulated by the Code, there are provisions designed to accommodate their use beside cultivar epithets. Photo © Roozitaa. Used under Creative Commons SA 3.

extended to provide guidance on forms, with the result that the that have been published in handling Series designations for original application of the cultivar a non-alphabetic script are cultivated plants. name cannot be determined, transliterated or transcribed the concept of lineage has been into Roman script (Rec. 21K). introduced. Different lineages may Some problems arising from Chimaeras be distinguished by appending a transliteration and transcription device, such as the name of the have been addressed, particularly Greater clarification has been given originator of the lineage, to the that of “reverse transcription”, with on chimaeras by introducing a cultivar name (Rec. 21N). a recommendation that, whatever new Article (Art. 5.2) to define the the demands of the transcription mutation as a separate system used, the epithet returns entity from a graft chimaera. It may Code-form epithets to the original form of the words not be widely realised that names (Rec. 34A.2). In addition, where a of intergeneric graft chimaeras are There have been some adjustments cultivar or name appears in a regulated by the ICNCP, not the to the rules for the naming of publication in a language that uses International Code of Nomenclature cultivar epithets. It is now made clear a non-alphabetic script different for , fungi and plants (ICN), that code-form epithets that differ from that of its original publication, which covers all other names at by one character or numeral are the original, or Roman-transcribed, generic level (Art. 1.2). The text of the allowed (Art. 21.25). epithet should be used whenever Code has been updated to make this possible (Rec. 34A.3). This is more explicit. It is also pointed out supported by a recommendation (Div. V.1, Note 2) that names of graft- Transliteration and that when the epithet is derived chimaeric genera do not have types from a language different from or nomenclatural standards as they transcription that of its publication the original are defined solely by parentage. Further, the 30-character limit word or phrase should be given for cultivar epithets is extended (Rec. 27D.3). to cases where cultivar epithets Lineage Right (left to right). ‘Captain Lido’, ‘Captain Palermo’ and ‘Captain Solo’, To address the problem of cultivars all part of the Captain Series. A Series (not to be confused with the botanical rank which have over time developed of series) is a marketing device for bringing together cultivars sold as , often into a number of similar but distinct where they differ by a characteristic such as colour. Photo. RHS / Joanna Kossak. 14 ■ August 2017

Publication Chris Brickell This edition has not implemented With the publication of the any major changes to cope with 9th Edition, the Chairman of electronic publication, but the the IUBS Commission, Chris Commission agreed to set up Brickell (right), has announced a working group to formulate his decision to step down as recommendations for the next Chairman. He first joined the meeting of the Commission. Commission in 1970 at the However, the Code does include a International Horticultural provision that registrations that are Congress in Israel, and has only published in electronic media served as Chairman since can be made nomenclaturally 1979. He has overseen the effective by depositing two copies publication of five editions of the registration in a designated of the ICNCP during his 37 library (Rec. 25C). Also related to the years as Chairman, as well work of ICRAs is the requirement that as steering the Commission a decision by an ICRA between two through some challenging competing names must be fixed by times. The Commission and the publication of that decision (Art. 29.2). Code are much stronger and The rule that the date of a published internationally recognised than but undated trade catalogue can be when he took over and this is a Dr John David has been determined by subsequent research, great tribute to Chris’s authority announced as Chris’s successor and thus any new in that and careful custodianship. as chairman. catalogue be considered effectively Following a vote by existing published, has been extended to all members of the Commission, Photo: RHS / Neil Hepworth undated publications (Art. 26.3). ■

HORTAX 15 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

What is RHS Plant Finder for? RHS Plant Finder has been part of the British horticultural scene for 30 years, growing in size from just over 20,000 entries when it first appeared in 1987 (then published by the Hardy Plant Society) to nearly 80,000 in the current edition. Though still published as a book, since 2000 it has also been freely available on the internet.

The answer to the question of what RHS Plant Finder is for may seem an obvious one. At a basic level the book provides lists of plants and the retailers who offer them for sale. But this is only part of the story and ignores the work’s other functions as a 30 years of RHS Plant Finder John Grimshaw, Chairman of the Nomenclature and Taxonomy Advisory Group, which rules on controversial decisions affecting the listings in RHS Plant Finder, and James Armitage, one of the book’s taxonomic editors, answer some questions about how it should be used.

nomenclator and as a census of namely annuals, vegetables and and most garden centres, do not plants in cultivation in the UK. In non-hardy orchids and cacti. The participate and thus both the this latter regard RHS Plant Finder listing is also restricted by what rarer and commoner plants on is self-limiting as, historically, is offered (or rather not offered) sale may be under-represented. a number of important plant by participating nurseries, while Despite these deficiencies, RHS groups have been excluded, many smaller specialist nurseries, Plant Finder is still by far the most 16 ■ August 2017

comprehensive, thoroughly researched and accessible set of names available for cultivated plants in the UK and this has led to its wide acceptance as a nomenclatural guide.

How are names in RHS Plant Finder listed? To make best use of the nomenclatural information contained in Plant Finder it is important to understand the way in which the names are arranged and the principles which help inform the editors’ decisions. f. coum (Pewter Group) ‘Maurice Now in its 31st year, RHS Plant Finder Dryden’ is unwieldy. Under the puts and horticultural The book follows a simple rules of the International Code of professionals in touch with suppliers of alphabetical system, although Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, over 70,000 plants. Photo. RHS / Georgi in some entries a collector’s code renderings of the name as C. Mabee. may precede an alphabetically coum ‘Maurice Dryden’, C. coum listed name. To save space, (Pewter Group) ‘Maurice Dryden’ deliberate potential taxonomic when a taxon at the rank of or simply C. ‘Maurice Dryden’ all and nomenclatural questions, species or below is repeated, the have equal validity. It is not the taking into consideration the epithet is replaced by a dash. job of Plant Finder to provide particular needs of a primarily Cross-referencing is extensive an immutable and unyielding horticultural audience. but, for reasons of space, not nomenclature, but rather to set comprehensive. Unless the out a nomenclatural framework To help keep interested parties cultivar name is unusable open to interpretation. abreast of developments for practical purposes, trade the conclusions arrived at by designations are treated NATAG are now reported on the as synonyms. Taxonomy. Who Hortax website (http://www. hortax.org.uk/natag-decisions). In almost all cases the most decides? Recent decisions include complete version of a name Most of the editing of Plant splitting from available is used but it is Finder is undertaken by the Royal and the replacement important to understand Horticultural Society’s team of the familiar name this should not be taken as of botanists but, particularly × ebbingei with the prior name prescriptive of best practice. The where changes may prove E. × submacrophylla. book provides the maximum controversial, decisions are taxonomic information possible sometimes referred to the If you would like to suggest any but users should feel at Nomenclature and Taxonomy further changes to names in RHS to pick those elements of a Advisory Group (NATAG). This Plant Finder or think you have name they find useful for their is a committee of taxonomists spotted an error, please write to purpose. For instance, though including representatives from the Compiler (plantfinder@rhs. taxonomically complete, the horticulture, academia, cultivar org.uk). ■ name coum subsp. coum registration and publishing who HORTAX 17 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■ Five new cultivars in Neosinocalamus Since the International Cultivar Registration Center for Bamboos (ICRCB) was established in 2013, five new cultivars of Neosinocalamus Keng f. have been internationally registered. By Junyi Shi, Yuxiao Zhang, Dequn Zhou and Jun Yao. 1 Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Foducizhu’ Registrants. Tongpei Yi, Lisha Ma, Daoyun Wang, Jun Yao, Zhengyu Pu.

Application date. 3 January 2014

Preservation place. International Cultivar Registration Garden for Bamboos (Chengdu, China)

Authorised date. 18 February 2014

Registration No. WB-001-2014-002

Description sympodium. Culms cespitose, 8–13m tall, 3–8–(10) cm in diameter, the tip of culms arched and pendulous like a fishing line; internodes inflated like Buddha’s belly; internodes 30–50–(60)cm long, the upper part with grey or grey brown setae when young, usually without white powder, sometimes a ring of pale white

Left. A clump of Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Foducizhu’, with (inset) lower culms. Opposite. Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Niutuizhu’. Photos. Junyi Shi. 18 ■ August 2017

tomenta below basal sheath nodes, culm walls 3–6mm thick; culm nodes flat. Branching from upper nodes, branches many, clustered, without dominant branches. deep green; culm sheaths tardily deciduous, the top a little convex, with dense brown-black procumbent setae abaxially; auricles and oral setae absent; ligules together with fimbriate setae 10–15mm tall; blades reflexed, ovate- lanceolate, 2–16cm long, 1.2–5cm wide, the base narrowed roundly, with sparse setae at the middle of the abaxial surface and white setae at the adaxial surface. Branchlets with 6–11 ; auricles and oral setae absent; ligules 1–1.5 mm tall; with pubescence abaxially; blades 8–28 cm long, 1.2–4 cm wide, the base round or broadly wedge- shaped, pubescent abaxially, secondary veins 4–10 pairs, transverse veins inconspicuous, margins serrated. Shooting period is from late July to August. Flowering usually from April to July with no fruiting. Culm walls are thin and are easily split and suitable for weaving.

2 Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Niutuizhu’ Registrants. Tongpei Yi, Lisha Ma, Daoyun Wang, Jun Yao, Zhengyu Pu

Application date. 22 January 2014

Preservation place. International Cultivar Registration Garden for Bamboos (Chengdu, China)

Authorised date. 27 March 2014

Registration No. WB-001-2014-003 HORTAX 19 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

Description Differing from Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Foducizhu’ in basal internodes not being obviously ventricose, the base of the culm slightly inflated, and basal internodes zigzag-shaped. Culms can be easily split into fine splits with sharp edges. Culm walls are thick and brittle.

3 Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Shetouzhu’ Applicants. Tongpei Yi, Lisha Ma, Daoyun Wang, Jun Yao, Zhengyu Pu

Application date. 25 February 2014

Preservation place. International Cultivar Registration Garden for Bamboos (Chengdu, China)

Authorised date. 3 April 2014

Registration No. WB-001-2014- 004

Left. Culms and (above) clump of Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Shetouzhu’. Photos. Junyi Shi. 20 ■ August 2017

Above. Clump (left) and culms of Application date. March 02, 2014 5 Neosinocalamus Neosinocalamus affinis ‘Doupengzhu’. Photos. Junyi Shi. Preservation place. International fangchengensis Cultivar Registration Garden for ‘Meiling’ Bamboos (Chengdu, China) Applicants. Meiling Dai , Lisha Description Authorised date. 22 May 2014 Ma, Guichun Gao, JunYao, Differing from Neosinocalamus Dehua Zhai affinis ‘Foducizhu’ in basal Registration No. WB-001-2014-005 internodes not being obviously Application date. 18 June 2016 ventricose, but a little bent, Description gradually thinner below the Differing from Neosinocalamus Preservation place. International fourth or fifth node (c.1m tall affinis ‘Foducizhu’ in basal Cultivar Registration Gardens for above the ground). Culm walls internodes not ventricose, Bamboos (Nanyang, China) are thin, easily split, splits pliable, internodes longer than the suitable for fine weaving. ones of Neosinocalamus affinis Authorised date. 9 August 2016 ‘Foducizhu’, and usually longer than 60cm, up to 85cm long. Registration No. WB-001-2016-016 4 Neosinocalamus Culms are suitable for weaving and used for making cloaks, Description affinis ‘Doupengzhu’ bamboo mats and bamboo fans. Cespitose bamboos. Culms Applicants. Tongpei Yi, Lisha Ma, 12–14m tall, 3–4cm in diameter, Daoyun Wang, Jun Yao, Zhengyu the top pendulous; internodes Pu 41–43, 40–44cm long, the basal HORTAX 21 cultivated plant taxonomy group CPT News ■

Branches (above), culm (right) and leaves (inset) of Neosinocalamus fangchengensis ‘Meiling’. Photos. Junyi Shi.

internodes 20cm long, terete, Leaves 8–13 per branchlet; sheaths initially with white powder, purple-green to green, glabrous; internodes at the middle and auricles and oral setae absent; About the base of the culm with light ligules arched, purple brown, stripes, culm walls thin, 2–4–(5)mm glabrous, 1.5mm tall; petioles light authors thick; sheath nodes prominent, green, glabrous, 1.5–2mm long; Junyi Shi ([email protected]) and purple-brown, glabrous; culm blades linear-lanceolate, 16–25cm Jun Yao. Research nodes flat; intranodes 2–3mm long, 2.6–4cm wide. Shooting and Development Center of tall, glabrous, with white powder. from July to August. Southwest China, Chinese -shaped, glabrous. Academy of Forestry, Branching from upper nodes, This cultivar was cultivated Kunming 650224, China. branches many, spreading, from the individuals of dominant branches to 1.7m Neosinocalamus fangchengensis Yuxiao Zhang long, 4–5mm in diameter, lateral Yi & J.Y. Shi which have light ([email protected]. branches slender, 1–2mm in yellow stripes on the culms. cn). Yunnan Academy of diameter. Shoots light green, with Bamboo shoots and fresh culm Biodiversity, Southwest sparse brown setae and yellow sheaths are also with brown and Forestry University, Kunming stripes. Culm sheaths deciduous, green stripes. This cultivar has 650224, China. leathery, shorter than internodes, great ornamental value. It grows with sparse brown setae and well down to a temperature of Dequn Zhou (1549284671@ yellow stripes; auricles absent; −5°, and it can be planted where qq.com). Kunming ligules truncate, initially purple, the climate is suitable in the University of Science and 2–2.5mm tall, oral setae dense, flat, northern and central regions of Technology, Kunming 650500 initially purple brown, 5–12mm China, especially regions near ([email protected]), China. long; blades linear or linear- Han River, for ornamentation and triangular, 8–18cm long, reflexed. . ■ 22 CPT News CPT News is circulated free of charge worldwide to over a thousand botanic gardens, institutions, libraries and individuals with an interest in cultivated plant taxonomy. It is a great way of publicising your work and stimulating interest in the classification of the plants that we grow. If you have a news story or article that you would like to contribute, please contact James Armitage ([email protected]). editor. James Armitage. design & layout. Richard Sanford. About Hortax Hortax, formed in 1988, is a small committee of European plant taxonomists and horticulturists with a professional interest in the classification and nomenclature of cultivated plants.

The committee meets to discuss topics of relevance to the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) and seeks to find solutions to the plentiful problems presented by humanity’s attempts to classify the plants it grows. Executive Committee

James Armitage (Chair) Saskia Bodegom Chris Brickell Phil Clayton Natalie Iwanycki Myra Johnson (Secretary) Sabina Knees Sophie Leguil Valéry Malécot Victoria Matthews Lesley McCarthy Sharon McDonald Elizabeth Scott www.hortax.org.uk @cptaxo

23 HORTAX CULTIVATED PLANT TAXONOMY GROUP