In botanical nomenclature, a validly published name is a name that meets the requirements in the ''
'' for valid publication.
Valid publication of a name represents the minimum requirements for a
botanical name
A botanical name is a formal scientific name conforming to the ''International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants'' (ICN) and, if it concerns a plant cultigen, the additional cultivar or Group epithets must conform to the ''Interna ...
to exist: terms that appear to be names but have not been validly published are referred to in the ''ICN'' as "designations".
[
A validly published name may not satisfy all the requirements to be '' legitimate''.][
Nevertheless, invalid names (''nomen invalidum'', ''nom. inval.'') are sometimes in use. This may occur when a taxonomist finds and recognises a ]taxon
In biology, a taxon ( back-formation from '' taxonomy''; plural taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular n ...
and thinks of a name, but delays publishing it in an adequate manner. A common reason for this is that a taxonomist intends to write a ''magnum opus
A masterpiece, ''magnum opus'' (), or ''chef-d’œuvre'' (; ; ) in modern use is a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or a work of outstanding creativity, ...
'' that provides an overview of the group, rather than a series of small papers. Another reason is that the code of nomenclature changes with time, and most changes have retroactive effect, which has resulted in some names that the author thought were validly published, becoming invalid.
Contrast to zoology
In zoology, the term " valid name" has a different meaning, analogous to (corresponding to) the botanical term " correct name".available name
In zoological nomenclature, an available name is a scientific name for a taxon of animals that has been published conforming to all the mandatory provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for the establishment of a zoological ...
".
See also
* ''Nomen nudum
In taxonomy, a ''nomen nudum'' ('naked name'; plural ''nomina nuda'') is a designation which looks exactly like a scientific name of an organism, and may have originally been intended to be one, but it has not been published with an adequate desc ...
'', a particular kind of invalid name in zoology and botany
* Undescribed taxon
In taxonomy, an undescribed taxon is a taxon (for example, a species) that has been discovered, but not yet formally described and named. The various Nomenclature Codes specify the requirements for a new taxon to be validly described and named. ...
, recognized as distinct by at least one biologist, but the name is not validly published
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Validly published name (botany)
Botanical nomenclature