Scientific Plant Names Derived from the Surname of Pehr Forsskål

History, Orthography, and Legitimacy
An 18th-century work describing 660 new plant species faced hurdles from posthumous editing errors and inconsistent eponym spelling. A systematic review now reevaluates these names to resolve taxonomic ambiguities and secure accurate botanical recognition.
Pehr Forsskål's Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica (1775) is a seminal work documenting approximately 660 new species of plants, but its posthumous and flawed editing has led to significant nomenclatural challenges. To address these issues, later botanists sought to honor Forsskål by renaming many of his identified species with eponyms derived from his surname. However, non-Scandinavian scholars frequently struggled with the correct spelling of Forsskål's surname, leading to a proliferation of orthographic variations in these eponyms.

Many of these eponyms do not conform to the standardized rules set forth by the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN). Recognizing the potential for taxonomic confusion, a systematic review has been undertaken to evaluate the original eponyms attributed to Forsskål and to clarify their current nomenclatural status. This review is critical for ensuring consistency, accuracy, and proper acknowledgment of Forsskål's contributions to botany.

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.