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BOOK REVIEWS 



Standardized Plant Names 



Standardized Plant Names. Edited by Harlan P. Kelsey and William A. 

 Dayton, for American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature. Sec- 

 ond Edition. Pp. 675. Harrisburg, Pa. ; J. Horace McFarland Company. 

 1942. $10.00. 



The second edition of Standardized Plant Names is nearh' twice 

 as large as the first edition, 1923. It was the aim to include in the 

 new edition the names of all plants of any economic or social value 

 to man and this has extended the total to "approximately 90,000 

 separate entries of plant and plant product names." The new volume 

 is of primary value and interest in regard (1) to the standardiza- 

 tion of names and (2) to the "innovations" in the nomenclature, 

 the most important of which recognize the distinctions between (a) 

 true species (b) groups of hybrids (named "polybrids") and (c) 

 clones. 



The botanical names of genera and of their species are listed 

 alphabetically and the "approved" scientific names are printed in 

 bold-face type while synonyms or unapproved names are in italics. 

 Common names for species and polybrids are in small captials as 

 are the names of clones. Xames of polybrids are distinguished from 

 names of species by a symbol ( x ) and the names of clones from 

 common names of species and polybrids by another symbol ($). 



In making decisions on approved scientific names there were 

 numerous collaborators and it is stated that it was the aim to apply 

 these names in accord with International Rules of Botanical 

 Nomenclature. In many cases when there is uncertainty in the ap- 

 plication of synonyms the authority is given ; but authorities are not 

 cited for the names that are approved. 



In any list of species names which is without either descriptions 

 or citation of authorities the identity of the group of plants to which 

 any name applies is not indicated. Hence the person who consults 

 Standardised Plant Names in regard to any name must either have 

 a knowledge of what that name applies to or be able to obtain this 

 information from other sources. If one has this knowledge for at 

 least one of the botanical names listed or for the one common name 

 that is given he can learn what the approved scientific name is. 



