Family Information
Jane McGary (Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:42:08 PST)

Nhu wrote,
"For certain questions, it's important to have a higher

I was asking about Merendera/Colchicum not so much as a gardener, but
as an editor with a responsibility to provide readers with the "most
valid" names for the plants people write about. I sometimes have
drawn a line in the sand -- you will not find "Cistanthe tweedyi" in
the Rock Garden Quarterly -- but I do try to offer synonyms where
there is controversy, and where I know about it. I have also thrown
up my hands in despair on certain issues, such as the genus
Narcissus, and just go with whatever name an author wants, perhaps
with a disclaimer where it is not too tactless.

And this is why I don't think the web will replace print publication
too soon: believe it or not, editors do a lot of work for you, and if
they are any good, they are constantly trying to anticipate the needs
of the audience.

Jane McGary