Many of you consult me on the names (accepted, synonyms & unresolved (status)) listed in the Plant List.

http://www.theplantlist.org/

As you may know, the Kew Gardens maintains several lists (e.g., International Plant Name Index, Plant List, etc.).

The Plant List provides a very useful information on bibliography and on taxonomy of names.

However, as in many large databases, the Plant List has several lapses, e.g., the status of invalid and illegitimate names may not be shown.

Also, the Plant List is NOT a “live database”; it was updated once or twice a year.

Until last month, I was under the impression that eventually all the errors would be removed from the Plant List.

But last month, I came to know that the Plant List will NOT be updated anymore.

In other words, whatever errors/lapses one sees now in the Plant List might continue to be there (at least for many months (or years).

Suggestion: use the Plant List data for a reference, but make your own judgement on the status of any name used by you.

KN Gandhi