Botanists vote to rename hundreds of plant species – because they have ‘racist’ or offensive connotations
- Names of more than 200 plants, fungi and algae are changed
- This is because they contain the word ‘caffra’, derived from the term ‘kaffir’
- Kaffir is seen as an ethnic slur used to denigrate black people in South Africa
Botanists have chosen to rename hundreds of species, including common plants, because they have “racist” or offensive connotations.
They say the names of more than 200 plants, fungi and algae should be changed because they contain the word ‘caffra’, derived from the word ‘kaffir’.
Kaffir is seen as an ethnic slur used to denigrate black people in South Africa.
Yesterday, at the International Botanical Congress in Madrid, a vote was taken on changes to plant names.
Plants such as the coastal coral tree will be officially called Erythrina affra, instead of Erythrina caffra, from the end of this month.
Plants such as the coastal coral tree will be officially called Erythrina affra from the end of this month, instead of Erythrina caffra, because ‘caffra’ is derived from the term ‘kaffir’, a derogatory term used in South Africa against black people.
Botanists have also renamed the poisonous bush flower from Gnidia caffra to Gnidia affra
In another example, the name of the poisonous bush flower is changed from Gnidia caffra to Gnidia affra.
Gideon Smith, a plant taxonomist at Nelson Mandela University, proposed the changes along with a colleague, Professor Estrela Figueiredo.
Professor Smith said: ‘We had confidence in the process throughout and had the support of most colleagues worldwide, even though it was inevitable that the outcome of the vote would be close.’
Their proposal replaces species names based on the word caffra and its derivatives with derivatives of ‘afr’.
The measure was passed in a secret ballot, with 351 votes in favor and 205 against.
Alina Freire-Fierro, a botanist at Ecuador’s Cotopaxi Technical University, said it was good that the “caffra” amendment was passed because it has such an offensive effect.
But its introduction could open the door to other, similar changes.
She added: ‘This could potentially cause a lot of confusion and problems for users in many other disciplines than just botany.
Gideon Smith, a plant taxonomist at Nelson Mandela University (pictured), proposed the changes along with colleague, Professor Estrela Figueiredo
The International Botanical Congress also made a second change to the rules for naming plants. This change was intended to address problematic names, such as names recognizing people who profited from the transatlantic slave trade.
Under the amendment, a new committee will be established to review controversial names. However, this committee will only consider objections to new scientific plant names published after January 1, 2026.