International Association for Plant Taxonomy
The International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) serves as the global cornerstone for the scientific naming and classification of plants. Established to foster a deeper understanding of plant biodiversity, the organization ensures that botanists worldwide communicate using a unified language, preventing confusion and maintaining stability in the naming of both living and fossil species.
Founded on July 18, 1950, during the Seventh International Botanical Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, the IAPT operates as a not-for-profit organization. Headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, it coordinates the efforts of researchers in systematics (the study of the diversification of living forms) and taxonomy (the science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms).
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Key Facts
- Founded: July 18, 1950, in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Headquarters: Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Current President: Lúcia G. Lohmann (since 2023).
- Primary Goal: To promote uniformity and stability in plant nomenclature.
- Core Publications: The journal Taxon and the book series Regnum Vegetabile.
Organizational Purpose and Governance
The IAPT is dedicated to the discovery, naming, and classification of plant biodiversity. Beyond the technical aspects of science, the association works to raise public awareness regarding the conservation of plant life. It facilitates international cooperation by sponsoring symposia and providing essential reference resources for the global botanical community.
The leadership team currently includes President Lúcia G. Lohmann of the Universidade de São Paulo, Vice-President Fabián Michelangeli of the New York Botanical Garden, and Secretary-General Mauricio Bonifacino of the Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Standardizing Plant Nomenclature
To achieve global uniformity, the IAPT oversees the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). This set of rules ensures that every plant has a single, recognized scientific name. The most recent version is the "Shenzhen Code," drafted in 2017 at the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress in Shenzhen, China.
The Role of Taxon
The association's official journal, Taxon, is the exclusive medium for publishing proposals to amend the ICN or to conserve or reject specific scientific names. It serves as the primary record for the evolving rules of botanical naming.
Regnum Vegetabile and Essential Resources
The Regnum Vegetabile is a comprehensive series of books and monographs essential for plant taxonomists. This series includes several critical global indices:
- International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants: The definitive rulebook for formal plant naming.
- International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants: A companion guide specifically for plant cultivars.
- Index Nominum Genericorum: A collaborative index with the Smithsonian Institution listing all published generic names covered by the ICN.
- Index Herbariorum: A directory of the world's herbaria (preserved plant collections), now managed as an online database by The New York Botanical Garden.
- International Directory of Botanical Gardens: A global guide to arboreta and botanical gardens.
Additionally, the IAPT maintains the "Names in Current Use" database, which tracks the scientific names of extant botanical genera.
| Resource | Type | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Taxon | Journal | Official medium for nomenclature proposals and research. |
| Regnum Vegetabile | Book Series | Monographs and indices for plant systematics. |
| ICN (Shenzhen Code) | Code/Rules | Standardizes naming for algae, fungi, and plants. |
| Index Herbariorum | Database | Global directory of plant herbaria. |
| Index Nominum Genericorum | Index | Catalog of published generic names. |
Honoring Excellence: IAPT Awards
Since 1986, the IAPT has recognized outstanding contributions to botany through the Engler Medals, named after Adolf Engler. These awards are categorized to honor different aspects of the science:
- Engler Medal in Gold: Awarded every six years for lifetime contributions to plant taxonomy.
- Engler Medal in Silver (sensu stricto): Awarded for monographic or floristic plant systematics.
- Stafleu Medal: Honors work in historical, bibliographic, and nomenclatural aspects of systematics.
- Stebbins Medal: Recognizes achievements in phylogenetic plant systematics and plant evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the IAPT?
The primary goal of the IAPT is to promote the understanding of plant biodiversity and ensure uniformity and stability in the scientific naming of plants, algae, and fungi.
What is the "Shenzhen Code"?
The Shenzhen Code is the current edition of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, drafted in 2017 in Shenzhen, China.
How does the IAPT maintain stability in plant names?
It achieves stability through the establishment of the International Code of Nomenclature and the oversight of the International Bureau for Plant Taxonomy and Nomenclature.
What is the difference between the Engler Gold and Silver medals?
The Engler Medal in Gold is a lifetime achievement award presented every six years, while the Silver medal (and its derivatives, the Stafleu and Stebbins medals) recognizes specific outstanding publications in systematics, nomenclature, or evolution.
Where can I find a directory of the world's herbaria?
The Index Herbariorum, managed by The New York Botanical Garden, serves as the global directory and guide to herbaria.