Thank you Dave. I have scanned the amjbot reference. On this quick reading I am not convincied that I should give up the taxonomies I am familiar with. As far as I can tell an identification in the New World of taxonomy requires a powerful DNA sequencer and an equally powerful computer that sometimes has to run for 30 days without comming to a conclusion. These are usefull and probably essential tools to try to sort out evolutionary trends, but for practical gardners and I suspect for most field ID, they are at best confusing and at worst useless. When I find a plant I do not know, I try to match the characteristics I see with descriptions of genus or species based on visible characteristics. I do not see the DNA itself, only the result as expressed in the plant's growth and form. If the Scrophulariaceae is heterogeneous, then the newly organized family is not much better - "Therefore, the Plantaginaceae can only be vaguely described morphologically." If there is no improvement in the clarity with which a group is defined, then I see no reason to alter nomenclature. Such change does not lead to better communication between gardeners (people who use plant names to talk with eachother) and Botanists who try to ferret out evolutionary relationships. The Scrophulariaceae to most gardeners brings thoughts of lovely plants. Plantaginaceae generally recalls the genus Plantago - ubiquitous weeds.
To: 'Alpine-L, the Electronic Rock Garden Society;postings copyright by authors.' Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 12:58 AM Subject: Re: [Alpine-l] Name Changes - was - Rock Garden Conifers The short answer about the fracturing of the Scrophulariaceae can be read at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrophulariaceae The long answer can be read at: http://www.amjbot.org/content/92/2/297.full Regards, Dave Dobak, Portland, Oregon,
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