nomenclatural question

[Michael Bayly]

John,

Here are some possibilities to consider.  A percentage (possibly all?) of these might be named for their resemblance to previously named genera or species - I am not familiar with most of the taxa (checking contents of protologues would help).  But, just reading the names literally, they could relate to inanimate objects.  

I grabbed some of these names from: http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html

cheers,
Mike 

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Coprosma scapanioides (Lange) M.J.Heads  [shovel like]
Astragalus stenonychioides Freyn & Bornm. [like a narrow claw]
Sedum allantoides Rose [Sausage like]
Isodon amethystoides (Benth.) H. Hara [amethyst like]
Sanguisorba ancistroides (Desf.) Ces. [Hook like]
Corydalis capnoides (L.) Pers. [smoke like/smoke coloured]
Oryzopsis hymenoides (Roemer & J.A.Schultes) Ricker ex Piper [membranous]




----------------
Dr Michael Bayly
Research Scientist in Plant Biosystematics
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
PO Box 467 
Wellington, New Zealand
Ph: +644 381 7262
Fax: +644 381 7070



-----Original Message-----
From: Taxacom Discussion List [mailto:TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU]On
Behalf Of John Grehan
Sent: Monday, 9 February 2004 8:44 p.m.
To: TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU
Subject: nomenclatural question


I am posting this on behalf of Michael Heads who recently noticed the
publication of a new species named Coprosma elatirioides in the New Zealand
Journal of Botany. In botany a name ending in -oides indicates a perceived
resemblance to another plant or animal, but a plant dictionary failed to
reveal any name for Elatirium. When the paper was rechecked he saw the
plant was actually named after elatirium, Greek for 'spring' (the plant is
springy).  Does anyone on the list know of any other examples where a plant
name ending in -oides is based on the name of an inanimate object, not a
plant or animal? Mike would be interested to know.

John Grehan
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