Changing Botanical Names for Inclusivity: A Move Away from Offensive Terminology

Changing a Scientific Name: A Step Towards Inclusivity

In July, plant scientists gathered at the International Botanical Congress in Madrid to address an important issue in the realm of botanical nomenclature. During this conference, they voted to modify the scientific name shared by approximately 200 plant species, changing “caffra” to “affra.” While the scientists framed this alteration as a correction of a misspelling, it was widely understood that “caffra” was not simply a typographical error.

The term “caffra” had long been utilized in the scientific names of numerous plants to indicate their African origins. However, this term is also a Latinized derivative of “Kaffir,” a word regarded as a deeply offensive racial slur against Black Africans in southern Africa. As a consequence, many botanists from the region have voiced their objections to using this term in reference to African flora. In South Africa, the use of the word can lead to substantial penalties, including fines or even imprisonment.

“We owe it to ourselves to make amends that recognize the wrongs perpetrated by previous generations,” stated Nigel Barker, a botanist from the University of Pretoria, who spent his formative years in South Africa during the apartheid era. He remarked that many South Africans have moved away from official names associated with that painful period in history.

Discussions surrounding nomenclature have become increasingly prevalent in the scientific community. Insect scientists have opted to abandon common names like “gypsy moths” and “gypsy ants” due to their derogatory implications towards Romani people. Additionally, researchers have raised concerns about names that honor racists and colonial figures, prompting organizations such as the American Ornithological Society to amend the common names of bird species named after controversial individuals, as well as NYC Audubon’s recent rebranding to NYC Bird Alliance.

However, the transition to the term “affra” marks a significant moment, as it necessitates the official alteration of scientific names for hundreds of species. Scientists typically resist changes in scientific nomenclature, valuing stability to ensure clear communication among researchers globally. Name changes are usually reserved for instances where genetic evidence indicates that a species has been misclassified.

Last year, similar conversations emerged regarding animal species named after Adolf Hitler (such as Rochlingia hitleri, a beetle) and Benito Mussolini (for example, Hypopta mussolinii, a moth), among others. However, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature chose not to revise these scientific names, highlighting the complexities involved in the intersection of science and societal values.