LATIN BINOMIALS

A diverse assortment of Latin and common names have been ascribed to Helianthus tuberosus since its introduction into Europe, making its history and outward dispersal from the New World difficult to trace. Linne assigned the current Latin binomial (II. tuberosus L.) for the species in 1753. Today his system of classification is universally accepted, though it was not uniformly welcomed at that time. This sentiment is evident in the following comment by Brookes, published in 1763 ... 

Source Adapted from Kays, S.J. and Silva Dias, J.C., Cultivated Vegetables of the World Latin Binomial, Common Name in 15 Languages, Edible Part, and Method of Preparation, Exon Press, Athens, GA, 1996, with additional names. With permission. 

A new era in hunting mushrooms opened after publication of Leonard Enos A Key to the American Psilocybin Mushroom (1970). This small book described fifteen species in sixty pages, providing a water-color picture of each. Enos had had personal experience with only two of the species that he treated, and thus his renderings of the mushrooms appearances were inaccurate and sometimes fanciful. (In two cases, species known by two Latin binomials were drawn to look like different kinds of mushrooms.) He also provided a section on cultivation, which was overcomplicated and which no one seems to have used. Nonetheless, Enos book stimulated much American fieldwork that resulted in several reliable guides by the end of the decade. 

Unfortunately, most applications do not include sufficient supporting information regarding the proper identification of the specified material, including Latin binomial nomenclature, plant parts utilized, processing specifications, extraction procedure (if applicable), or method of identification. The failure to provide this basic information is a common oversight on the part of applicants. The industry s counterpoint is that some of the required information is proprietary and that the FDA does not provide sufficient protection of NDI applications that would prevent a competitor from utilizing the NDI after the initial applicant invests all the work and expense. 

There are several limitations that lead to potential for patient harm with the current regulation of herbals under the DSHEA. First, botanical nomenclature is not standardized. Common names for herbals may vary depending on the region of the country. A single herb may have more than a dozen common names (e.g., echinacea), or one common herbal name may refer to several different species (e.g., yellowroot and snakeroot). To avoid confusion, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published Herbs of Commerce, a text of more than 500 herbs with the preferred common name, Latin binomial, and appropriate synonyms. 

Harmful effects Common name Latin binomial Toxic constituents Serious adverse effects Comments... 

Plant Latin binomial not given in the original reference. 

Botanicals, Cross Reference of Latin Binomials and Common Names, Personal Care Products Council, www.personalcarecouncil.org, accessed Jan. 2009. 

Its Chinese synonym, dongqingzi can also be the fruit of Ilex chinensis Sims, another fairly commonly used drug, which is oval and slightly smaller, with four to five seeds. The two cannot be positively differentiated and identified in the literature unless Latin binomials or other collaborative information are also given (cmh). 

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