2006 ICBN

[Dipteryx]

Speaking of changes in the ICBN I got round today to taking a closer look at
APG II and noticed in the appendix:

"However, there is a major push, which in all likelyhood will be successful,
to establish a formal starting date for spermatophyte (if not all vascular
plants) family names as of 4 August 1789 (e.g. Jussieu's Genera plantarum)."

Some of the background is in the introduction of the StLouisCode: this was
the (tacitly accepted?) starting date for the list of conserved family names
in the ICBN from 1961-1994, but as a result of the vote on a footnote in Art
14 at the 1999 Congress this starting date was abandoned.

Instating this starting date (but now formally) appears likely to serve
stability, but still the APG-statement sounds quite confident. Any comments?

Paul van Rijckevorsel
Utrecht, NL