> > It would be useful to go back to the original description by Linnaeus to know what is the derivatio nominis of the name. > Interestingly, having just done this, Linnaeus was under no illusion about where the plant came from as he states "Habitat in Africa" in his Species Plantarum (1753). The confusion appears to originate from earlier in history, for under his Ornithogalum canadense Linnaeus cites Jacques-Philippe Cornut's 1635 publication Canadensium plantarum, aliarumque nondum editarum historia, which describes and illustrates about 30 Canadian plants (and other previously unaccounted for ones). To add to the confusion though, Cornut did not appear to believe that the plant came from Canada either, as he describes it as "Ornithogalum luteovirens indicum", suggesting an origin in India or the West Indies. The illustration by Cornut can be found in Gunn & Codd's Botanical Exploration of Southern Africa, where they also mention 4 other bulbs that are illustrated in this obscure early publication: Chasmanthe aethiopica, Cybistetes longifolia, Nerine sarniensis and Romulea rosea (C. longifolia and R. rosea are also considered to be Indian by Cornut, while N. sarniensis is suggested to be Japanese!). So maybe Linnaeus just decided to name Ornithogalum canadense (Albuca Canadensis) after Cornut's book rather than Canada? Interesting to hypothesise but I guess we will never know. Chris Dr Christopher Whitehouse Keeper of the Herbarium RHS Garden Wisley WOKING Surrey GU23 6QB Tel: 01483 224234 Fax: 01483 211750 <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. </p> <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">The contents of this email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, proprietary and may be legally privileged. They are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. If you are not the intended recipient you may not use, disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely on this email. The sender is not responsible for any changes made to any part of this email after transmission. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Society. Although this email and any attachments are believed to be free from any virus or other defects which might affect any computer or IT system into which they are received, no responsibility is accepted by the Society or any of its associated companies for any loss or damage arising in any way from the receipt or use thereof. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Anyone with an interest in gardening can enjoy the benefits of RHS membership and help us to secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/">http://www.rhs.org.uk/</A> Reg charity no. 222879/SC038262 </p>