Sure, as an independent researcher, it is still possible to publish your findings in reputable journals and have them recognized by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (KEW), even without herbarium sheet numbers from a university. Many journals accept submissions from independent researchers, especially if you have thorough documentation, such as high-quality photographs, detailed botanical illustrations, and well-written descriptions of your new species. You can submit your work to peer-reviewed botanical or taxonomic journals that specialize in new species discoveries. To increase credibility, you might consider collaborating with a herbarium or experienced taxonomist who can help validate your findings and possibly deposit your specimens in a recognized herbarium. Once published, KEW can reference your work and include the new records in their databases, as they regularly update based on new scientific research.

When proposing a new species you will need to deposit a voucher specimen (herbarium sheet) with associated data in a herbarium. This sheet is the holotype and other taxonomists may want to examine it. Additional plant material collection at the same location at the same time can also be submitted to the same or other herbaria as an Isotope. Your new species will need to reference these herbarium sheets using your own collection number and the herbarium code of the place you have deposited it.

Index Herbariorum https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/ih/?_ga=2.24712826.1751702281.1615206537-468994433.1605812626

All new species published in a peer review journal are automatically index by Kew on their database.

IPNI and POWO are database of plant names. They try to include all names published anywhere with comments, if necessary. However, also see the following Rec.

40A.5. Specification of the herbarium, collection, or institution of deposition should be followed by any available number permanently and unambiguously identifying the holotype specimen.

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