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4 months ago
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Botanists have chosen to rename hundreds of species — including common plants — because they have 'racist' or offensive connotations.
They say that the names of more than 200 plants, fungi and algae should be changed because they contain the word 'caffra' — derived from the term 'kaffir'.
Kaffir is considered an ethnic slur that has been used to denigrate Black people in South Africa.
Changes to the plant names were voted on at the International Botanical Congress in Madrid yesterday.
Plants such as the coast coral tree will, by the end of this month, be formally called Erythrina affra, instead of Erythrina caffra.
Plants such as the coast coral tree will, by the end of this month, be formally called Erythrina affra, instead of Erythrina caffra - because 'caffra' is derived from the term 'kaffir', which is a derogatory term used against black people in South Africa
Botanists have also renamed the gifbossie flower from Gnidia caffra to Gnidia affra
In another example, the gifbossie flower will be renamed from Gnidia caffra to Gnidia affra.
Gideon Smith, a plant taxonomist at Nelson Mandela University, proposed the changes alongside a colleague, Professor Estrela Figueiredo.
Professor Smith said: 'We throughout had faith in the process and the majority global support of our colleagues, even though the outcome of the vote was always going to be close.'
Their proposal takes species names based on the word caffra and its derivatives and replaces them with derivatives of 'afr'.
The measure passed in a secret ballot, with 351 votes in favour against 205 opposed.
Alina Freire-Fierro, a botanist at the Technical University of Cotopaxi in Ecuador, said it was good that the 'caffra' amendment was passed, because of the offence it causes.
But its passage could open the door for other similar changes.
She added: 'This could potentially cause a lot of confusion and problems to users in many fields aside from botany.
Gideon Smith, a plant taxonomist at Nelson Mandela University (pictured), proposed the changes alongside a colleague, Professor Estrela Figueiredo
A second change to the rules for naming plants that aimed to address problematic names, such as those recognising people who profited from the transatlantic slave trade, was also passed by the International Botanical Congress.
Under the change, a new committee will be set up to consider controversial names — but it will only consider objections to new plant scientific names that have been published after January 1, 2026.
English (US)