The usage of the alternative names of eight flowering plant families

Abstract

Article 18.5 and Art. 18.6 of the present International Code of Botanical Nomenclature authorise the use of alternative names in the following eight cases of families of flowering plants: Compositae/Asteraceae, Cruciferae/Brassicaceae, Gramineae/Poaceae, Guttiferae/Clusiaceae, Labiatae/Lamiaceae, Leguminosae/Fabaceae, Palmae/Arecaceae, and Umbelliferae/Apiaceae. The first name in each of these pairs is not based on the name of an included genus, and permission to use these names under the Code has become increasingly controversial in recent years. Our present note looks briefly at the history of the alternative usages and then aims to indicate the extent to which the two alternatives are used in the literature today, laying a basis for any potential discussion of future action. A strong case is noted for maintaining Leguminosae rather than Fabaceae when this family is treated in a broad sense.

An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG IV

“…Alternative names for eight flowering plant families have been extensively discussed (reviewed by McNeil & Brummitt, ) and some authors strictly prefer the traditional versions (e.g. Compositae vs. Asteraceae).…”

The correlation between skin-care effects and phytochemical contents in Lamiaceae plants

“…The original family name was Labiatae because the flowers are typically petal-like and fused into an upper lip and a lower lip. Although this is still considered an acceptable alternate name, most botanists now use the name, Lamiaceae, to refer to this family (McNeil & Brummitt, 2003). Many genera of the Lamiaceae, such as Lavandula, Salvia, Rosmarinus and Ocimum are widely cultivated owing to their aromatic qualities and ease of cultivation.…”