(115–116) Proposals to eliminate the Latin requirement for the valid publication of plant names

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.