Abstract:
Article 36.1 in the International code of botanical nomenclature
requires that, as from 1 January 1935, all names of new plant taxa (algae
and fossils excepted) must be accompanied by a Latin description
or diagnosis in order to be validly published. In this issue (Figueiredo
& al. in Taxon 59: 617–620) it is argued that the Latin requirement must be
removed now as it represents a relict that does not serve the purposes
for which it was originally intended. We propose that, as from the
effective date of the Melbourne Code, a diagnosis or description in
any language would suffice to effect valid publication of a plant name,
once the other Articles have been complied with.
