If “ <i>Rhodes</i> ?” must fall, who shall fall next?

Smith and Figueiredo, in their recent articles, raised important issues of getting rid colonial legacy botanical nomenclature. Some other politically motivated claims proposals to amend the International Code Nomenclature for algae, fungi, plants (ICN) have also been published or discussed by some authors. In particular, Figueiredo expressed opinion that “a proposal Code, replacing epithets with root ‘rhodes-’, where Cecil John Rhodes, any landmark named him is commemorated, should be considered”. However, Rhodes not only controversial person whose name currently associated names taxa. Here I consider several cases people past who were are sometimes treated, at least some, as racists, colonialists, imperialists, war criminals, etc. Also, discuss, context Art. 51 ICN, a more general issue may considered offensive, inappropriate, unacceptable groups people. The nomenclature organisms governed nomenclatural codes crucially tool taxonomy all sciences fields activity relying on referring it. reflects rich fascinating history scientific exploration living world. That contains unpleasant even tragic events, episodes periods, commemorated free sins our modern standards. Science cannot not, however, employ censorship totalitarian cleansing history, biological history. plants, fungi shall transformed into battleground campaigns. Only exceptions possible, but they dealt proper respect centuries taxonomic traditions.