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The Swedish physician Carl Linnaeus introduced the system of binomial scientific naming for living organisms that is still in use today.
Order out of Chaos, a co-publication between the Linnean Society of London 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 will include 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.
Illustrated in both colour and monochrome, the publication of this landmark work in May 2007 marks the tercentenary of Linnaeus' birth.
"This book is a timely homage to linnaean names and the efforts of Jarvis's team, as systematists look for new ways to provide the richest classification systems".
– Pamela S Soltis, Nature: Volume 448
"This splendid volume, meticulously researched and beautifully typeset, illustrated and produced, will clearly prove an essential work of reference for botanical taxonomists, but it also contains much of interest and delight to anyone wanting to learn more about the father of modern botany"
– Philip H Oswald, TLS, March 14, 2008
