Articles
PLANT NAME CHANGES: GOOD SCIENCE, ANGRY GROWERS AND CONFUSED GARDENERS
Article number
634_6
Pages
63 – 66
Language
English
Abstract
Nursery growers and plant taxonomists seem to come from different worlds with each not fully understanding the needs and goals of the other.
This concept is hardly a new one, but in an era of intensive plant breeding and marketing, international trade, and high consumer interest in gardening, the problem may be reaching a critical point around the globe.
Taxonomic name changes result in a state of confusion for growers, retailers and, most especially, for the end users: home gardeners, landscape contractors and designers, municipalities and botanical gardens.
Name changes also result in unforeseen costs to commercial growers and label manufacturers amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in North America alone.
Significant name changes can instantly create an inventory of out-of-date plant tags and other point-of-sales materials, not to mention reference books and catalogues.
This presentation addresses some of the problems encountered and illustrates one solution which works for nurserymen.
This concept is hardly a new one, but in an era of intensive plant breeding and marketing, international trade, and high consumer interest in gardening, the problem may be reaching a critical point around the globe.
Taxonomic name changes result in a state of confusion for growers, retailers and, most especially, for the end users: home gardeners, landscape contractors and designers, municipalities and botanical gardens.
Name changes also result in unforeseen costs to commercial growers and label manufacturers amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in North America alone.
Significant name changes can instantly create an inventory of out-of-date plant tags and other point-of-sales materials, not to mention reference books and catalogues.
This presentation addresses some of the problems encountered and illustrates one solution which works for nurserymen.
Publication
Authors
J. Valleau
Keywords
common names, nomenclature, Perennial Plant Association, trademarks
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