Latin publication

[Jacqueline Soule]

Dear Taxacomers,

My vote is for keeping Latin.

I've waited for someone to mention this particular problem on this thread yet
no one has addressed it directly.  Plant Systematists have a problem that I
believe is not shared with people working on other taxa (except maybe
Ornithologists and Ichthyologists).  The popularity of plants, the ease of
cultivation of plants, the plethora of popular press information on plants,
and last but not least, amateurs.

Gardening has been a popular hobby for a long time, and is currently the
number one leisure pastime in the USA.

If descriptions could be published in any language, then seed and garden
catalogs that publish currently English descriptions with a nomen nudum would
suddenly be publishing valid descriptions of invalid taxa and posing great
headaches for plant taxonomists.

Yes, we don't allow publication in garden catalogs, but where do we draw the
line?   An article in the popular magazine Flower & Garden  may "reviewed" by
5 or 6 editors before it is printed.  We may also have to become picky about
what is acceptable editorial review.    What a nightmare for generations to
come!

Amateurs could also publish.  While I am NOT saying that every man woman and
child in the USA will rush out and publish a new plant description, the
potential publication of numerous invalid taxa makes me very wary.  Please
note I am only addressing the problem of casual descriptions.  There are some
very qualified amateurs out there, and no doubt their input is helpful.

Botanical Latin does indeed level the playing field, as it helps eliminate
casual spectators from jumping in and joining a game with specific rules, when
they don't comprehend the rules, or the reasons for the rules.

Peace,

Jacqueline Soule