Research
Horticultural Taxonomy Group (HORTAX)
The Horticultural Taxonomy Group (HORTAX) was set up in 1988, with the objective of providing a forum for taxonomists and horticulturists based in the British Isles for discussion of problems of taxonomy and nomenclature as they affect gardeners. For the HORTAX website click here.
The RHS has been involved in HORTAX since its founding. Alan Leslie, a founder member, is the Society's International Registrar for Rhododendron, and Dianthus. Diana Miller has been Secretary of the group since it was created. She is Keeper of the Horticultural Herbarium at RHS Garden Wisley.
Members of HORTAX developed proposals for a revision of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, many of which were adopted in the current edition.
In 1998, HORTAX organized the Third International Symposium on the Taxonomy of Cultivated Plants, the Proceedings of which have recently been published.
In 2002 the RHS also contributed to the Fourth International Symposium on the Taxonomy of Cultivated Plants, held in Toronto, Canada. HORTAX was a partial sponsor for the symposium.
Andrews, S, Leslie, A C, & Alexander, C, (eds.). 2000. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on the Taxonomy of Cultivated Plants, Edinburgh, 1998. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.
Trehane, P, Brickell, C D, Baum, B R, Hetterscheid, W L A, Leslie, A C, McNeill, J, Spongberg, S A & Vrugtman F (eds.) 1995. The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. Wimborne, Dorset: Quarterjack Publishing.