(283) Proposal to amend the use of the termination ‐ara in forming nothogeneric names

Abstract

Article H.6 of the Shenzhen Code (Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018) provides instructions for the formation of nothogeneric names for intergeneric hybrids. Article H.6.3 and H.6.4, dealing with the formation of nothogeneric names for intergeneric hybrids involving three or more genera, provide for a name to be formed from the name of a person to which is added the termination -ara. This is a very workable procedure. However, when the personal name used already ends with -a, addition of the termination -ara produces a double a in the name, as in ×Hayataara J.M.H. Shaw, named for Bunzô Hayata (1874–1934). There are at least 48 nothogenera in Orchidaceae where the personal name used ends with -a. None is known from other families. At times, nothogeneric names based on personal names ending with -a have been formed by the addition of a modified termination -ra as, for example, ×Iwanagara Iwanaga & Wreford for Ernest T. Iwanaga, ×Kagawara Kagawa & Wreford for Hiroshi Kagawa and ×Yamadara M. Yamada & Wreford for Masao Yamada, whereas ×Perreiraara Perreira & Wreford for Robert J. Perreira conforms to the present rule. The current proposal is designed to simplify the spelling and pronunciation of nothogeneric names by avoiding the formation of the double a in the name. A precedent exists in Art. 60.8(c) where the adjectival ending -anus/ana/anum is reduced to -nus/na/num for personal names ending with -a. It would also be instructive to include in each Example provided for Art. H.6.3 and H.6.4. the personal name on which the nothogeneric name is based. “H.6.3. The nothogeneric name of an intergeneric hybrid derived from four or more genera is formed from the name of a person to which is added the termination -ara, except when the personal name already ends with -a in which case the termination -ra is added; no such name may exceed eight syllables. Such a name is equivalent to a condensed formula.” “Ex. 6. ×Beallara Moir (in Orchid Rev. 78(929): New Orch. Hybr. [1, 3]. 1970) commemorating J. Ferguson Beall (Brassia R. Br. × Cochlioda Lindl. × Miltonia Lindl. × Odontoglossum Kunth); ×Cogniauxara Garay & H. R. Sweet (see Art. H.8 Ex. 3) commemorating Célestin A. Cogniaux (Arachnis Blume × Euanthe Schltr. × Renanthera Lour. × Vanda W. Jones ex R. Br.); ×Hayatara J. M. H. Shaw (in Sander's List Orchid Hybrids Addendum 2002–2004: xxxv. 2005, ‘Hayataara’) commemorating Bunzô Hayata (Brassavola R. Br. × Cattleya Lindl. × Laelia Lindl. × Myrmecophila Rolfe × Pseudolaelia Porto & Brade).” “H.6.4. The nothogeneric name of a trigeneric hybrid is either (a) a condensed formula in which the three names adopted for the parental genera are combined into a single word not exceeding eight syllables, using the whole or first part of one, followed by the whole or any part of another, followed by the whole or last part of the third (but not the whole of all three) and, optionally, one or two connecting vowels, or (b) a name formed like that of a nothogenus derived from four or more genera, i.e. from a personal name to which is added the termination -ara, except when the personal name already ends with -a in which case the termination -ra is added.” “Ex. 7. ×Sophrolaeliocattleya Hurst (in J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 21: 468. 1898) (Cattleya Lindl. × Laelia Lindl. × Sophronitis Lindl.); ×Rodrettiopsis Moir (in Orchid Rev. 84: ix. 1976) (Comparettia Poepp. & Endl. × Ionopsis Kunth × Rodriguezia Ruiz & Pav.); ×Holttumara Holttum (see Art. H.8 Ex. 3) commemorating Richard E. Holttum (Arachnis Blume × Renanthera Lour. × Vanda W. Jones ex R. Br.); ×Kagawara Kagawa & Wreford (Orchid Rev. 76: New Orch. Hybr. [2, 4]. 1968) commemorating Hiroshi Kagawa (Ascocentrum J. J. Sm. × Renanthera Lour. × Vanda R. Br.).”