Book - Order Out Of Chaos

Winner of the IAPT's Stafleu Medal 2007

Winner of the CBHL Annual Literature Award 2008 (Technical Category)

Winner of the SHNH's John Thackray Medal 2009

This is a great synthesis of scholarship and critical evaluation of the work of others. A great achievement.-Prof. David Mabberley (University of Washington Botanic Gardens)

Order out of Chaos: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types by Charlie Jarvis

The Swedish physician Carl Linnaeus introduced the system of binomial scientific naming for living organisms that is still in use today. This is a guide to the Typifications of the Plant Names described by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778).

Order Out of Chaos, a co-publication between the Linnean Society and London's Natural History Museum, brings together for the first time information on the typification of all of Linnaeus' plant names. Since 1981, hundreds of botanists around the globe have been studying names, specimens and illustrations in order to allow type specimens to be designated so that Linnaeus' names can be applied clearly and consistently worldwide.

The book provides a comprehensive catalogue listing each Linnaean name (and includes many new typifications) stating:

• place and date of publication
• type specimen, typifier and place of typification
• current name and explanatory notes, including reference to relevant literature

The book also contains detailed accounts both of Linnaeus' publications and those of other botanists that contributed to his understanding of plants. Significant plant collectors are enumerated, with examples listed of important specimens known in Linnaeus' and other herbaria.

For botanists, Linnaean scholars, or those with an interest in history of science, this reference work is a useful overarching text on Linnaeus’ plant names.