> That's where the rule "no Latin cultivar names" comes from. I don't > know if it's "no Latin" or "no Latin-form or Latin-like or could-be- > confused-with-Latin-by-idiots". The two articles of the Code relevant to this are: "19.13 For a cultivar name to be established on or after 1 January 1959 its epithet is to comprise a word or words in any language other than Latin..." "19.14 Notwithstanding Art. 19.13, Latin words or words in Latin form may be used in new cultivar names when it can be demonstrated that they are current in a language other than Latin, for example as terms, common phrases, personal names, and place names." (e.g. "caveat emptor", "non sequitur", "Julius Caesar", "Bognor Regis", "Nova Scotia", etc.) What interests me is that there is no reference to intention in how the word for the cultivar was chosen. 'Album', 'Albus' and 'Alba' are perfectly valid words in the English language, although in such a context neither of them refer to whiteness, but say the person of the Allium was actually a keen stamp collector, a Harry Potter fan, or had a deep-rooted Scottish heritage. The Code is certainly not clear about how to deal with these cases. The reason Latin was prohibited after 1959 is to make as clear a distinction as possible between cultivar and botanical name. Good practice is therefore to try as far as possible to avoid its use unless it is an old cultivar, but I acknowledge that the tendency to stick an 'Album', 'Variegatum', 'Flore Pleno', 'Nanum' on the end of common mutations is just too tempting as people do understand what it means. However, it is much more useful to give these mutations a proper cultivar name as then it identifies that clone and distinguishes it from the next one that happens to appear with white flowers. If you cannot think up a good name then just call it white-flowered form or something informal like that and wait for someone else to think up something original. Of course, there is the question as to whether having Latin in cultivar names is that much more confusing - or should we just allow it anyway? Christopher Dr Christopher Whitehouse Keeper of the Herbarium RHS Garden Wisley WOKING Surrey GU23 6QB Tel: 01483 224234 Fax: 01483 211750 <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"> <img src="http://www.rhs.org.uk/images/email/green.jpg"> <font size="3" color="#008000">Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.</font> </p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">The contents of this email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, proprietary and may be legally privileged. They are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. If you are not the intended recipient you may not use, disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely on this email. The sender is not responsible for any changes made to any part of this email after transmission. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Society. Although this email and any attachments are believed to be free from any virus or other defects which might affect any computer or IT system into which they are received, no responsibility is accepted by the Society or any of its associated companies for any loss or damage arising in any way from the receipt or use thereof. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Anyone with an interest in gardening can enjoy the benefits of RHS membership and help us to secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/">http://www.rhs.org.uk/</A> Reg charity no. 222879 </p>
