In July, plant scientists at the International Botanical Congress in Madrid changed a scientific name shared by about 200 different plant species. For centuries, the word “caffra” was used in the scientific names of many plants to denote that they grew in Africa. Botanists in the region have objected to using the term to refer to African plants. In South Africa, use of the word can result in a fine or even a prison sentence. “We owe it to ourselves to make amends that recognize the wrongs our previous generations did,” said Nigel Barker, a botanist at the University of Pretoria who was raised in South Africa during apartheid.

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Persons: “, ”, Nigel Barker Organizations: International Botanical, Black, University of Pretoria, American Ornithological, Bird Alliance Locations: Madrid, Africa, South Africa