Nomen nudum explained

In taxonomy, a nomen nudum ('naked name'; plural nomina nuda) is a designation^[1] which looks exactly like a scientific name of an organism, and may have originally been intended to be one, but it has not been published with an adequate description. This makes it a "bare" or "naked" name, which cannot be accepted as it stands.^[2] A largely equivalent but much less frequently used term is nomen tantum ("name only"). Sometimes, "nomina nuda" is erroneously considered a synonym for the term "unavailable names". However, not all unavailable names are nomina nuda.^[3]

In zoology

According to the rules of zoological nomenclature a nomen nudum is unavailable; the glossary of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature gives this definition:^[4]

And among the rules of that same Zoological Code:

In botany

According to the rules of botanical nomenclature a nomen nudum is not validly published. The glossary of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants gives this definition:^[5] The requirements for the diagnosis or description are covered by articles 32, 36, 41, 42, and 44.^[5]

Nomina nuda that were published before 1 January 1959 can be used to establish a cultivar name. For example, Veronica sutherlandii, a nomen nudum, has been used as the basis for Hebe pinguifolia 'Sutherlandii'.^[6]

See also

• Glossary of scientific naming
• Unavailable name
• Nomen dubium

Notes and References

1. Book: Turland, N. . 2013 . Regnum Vegetabile Volume 155 . The Code Decoded: A user's guide to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants . Koeltz Scientific Books . 978-3-87429-433-1 .
2. Web site: What is a nomen nudum? . International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 11 September 2010.
3. Caetano. João Marcus Vale. Delcourt. Rafael. Ponciano. Luiza Corral Martins de Oliveira. amp. March 2023. A taxon with no name: 'Ubirajara jubatus' (Saurischia: Compsognathidae) is an unavailable name and has no nomenclatural relevance. Zootaxa. 5254 . 3 . 443–446 . 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.3.10. 37044710 . 257500264 .
4. Web site: Glossary . International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature . International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature . 11 September 2010.
5. Book: MlepwcNeill, J. . Barrie, F.R. . Buck, W.R. . Demoulin, V. . Greuter, W. . Hawksworth, D.L. . Herendeen, P.S. . Knapp, S. . Marhold, K. . Prado, J. . Prud'homme Van Reine, W.F. . Smith, G.F. . Wiersema, J.H. . Turland, N.J. . 2012 . Regnum Vegetabile 154 . International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code) adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011 . A.R.G. Gantner Verlag KG . 978-3-87429-425-6 .
6. Article 21.6