Re: AIS: REF: AIS as International Registration Authority

Bobby introduces an interesting idea of voucher specimens. We now have herbarium specimens over 300 years old. This is definitely a great archive. Unfortunately here are a number of downsides. First, Iris make terrible herbarium specimens. Within a rather short time all colors turn brown and one would be hard pressed to distinguish a yellow iris from a purple. Of course todays herbarium specimens are usually supported by color photos attached. But another serious problem arises. Even though there is a lot of lip service for preserving cultivated plants very few herbaria wish to devote space to anything but wild collected specimens. Iris are not patented or trademarked (it has only happened once). Of course if the AIS would donate a million dollars to an addition to a herbarium they might reconsider. Unfortunately there are lots of rules that are created with no support in resources. We all know about unfunded mandates. They allow the federal government to say they did something when
 actually nothing ever really happened, but they did pass a law. The ICNCP I dont believe has funding to offer. It is much more important that ideas be discussed in forums like this. Perhaps some individuals will be inspired and volunteer, or take pictures, or support projects just by showing enthusiasm for them.

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