(126) Proposal to add a new Article 61.6 to permanently and retroactively eliminate epithets with the root <i>caf[e]r?</i> or <i>caff[e]r?</i> from the nomenclature of algae, fungi and plants

Article 51.1 of the Shenzhen Code (Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018) states that a legitimate name must not be rejected merely because it, or its epithet, is inappropriate disagreeable. However, at present there are epithets used validly published names, mostly dating from 18th and 19th centuries, highly offensive derivative them racial slur goes well beyond being “inappropriate disagreeable” (see, e.g., Knapp Taxon 69: 1409. 2020). We propose continued use these nomenclature organisms covered by eliminated permanently retroactively. The question have root caf[f][e]r- derive an Arabic word meaning “infidel” was toponym region southern Africa for inhabitants. Although, when initially published, may been intended to offend, present-day society they taken on decidedly negative connotation noun which languages such as English, Afrikaans, Spanish Portuguese. Aversion using arguably applies more plant scientists other users scientific names African heritage, but increasingly also larger user community. same term exists several vernacular example species lime, Citrus hystrix DC., Erythrina caffra Thunb. In widely lists common insulting replaced alternative Makrut lime Cape coraltree, respectively. Therefore, presently derived offensive, Code. These cafer / caffer, cafferiana, cafra caffra, caffraria, caffrorum caffrum. Eradicating can easiest achieved treating orthographical variants corrected removing letter c second f, if applicable, i.e. changing to, respectively, afer, aferiana, afra, afraria, afrorum afrum, with retention author place publication. Epithets afra afrum already Portulacaria Jacq., well-known spekboom, refer material described having continent geographical origin. Where action will create later homonym, correct determined Art. 11.4. removal has mooted before, Dendrophilus (in Dendron 31: 61. 1993), albeit through proposal amend As far could determined, aforementioned occur 218 vascular plants bryophytes (see suppl. Appendix S1), while 13 algae AlgaeBase, https://www.algaebase.org/) 70 fungi MycoBank, https://www.mycobank.org/) similarly affected. For bryophytes, 56 accepted use, 155 synonyms 7 unplaced. A change epithets, proposed here, creates four cases homonymy. Two synonyms, one refers unplaced only affects name. latter Plantago Decne. (1852), would become illegitimate homonym changed P. pre-existence L. (1762) Example 4, below). It time algae, get grips what perceived, least some, colonial past deliberately, completely irreversibly eliminate offending names. “61.6. caf[f][e]r-, cafra, cafrorum, cafrum, permitted this were treated af[e]r-, afrorum, If results 11.4.” “Ex. 4. When epithet ‘cafra’ Candolle, Prodr. 13(1): 719. 1852) (l.c.), attribution date publication, (Sp. Pl., ed. 2: 168. 1762) therefore illegitimate. Under 11.4 adopted capillaris E. Mey. ex 1852), heterotypic synonym cafra.” 5. Portulaca ‘caffra’ (Prodr. Pl. Cap.: [85]. 1800) Talinum Adans., T. [with f] (Thunb.) Eckl. Zeyh. (Enum. Afric. Austral.: 282. 1836).” Nicholas J. Turland, Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, John H. Wiersema, Department Botany, Smithsonian Institution, thanked helpful comments. S1. Validly isonyms plants, extracted IPNI POWO, “caf[f][e]r-”. Please note: publisher responsible content functionality any supporting information supplied authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should directed corresponding article.