As Botanists Drop a Racist Plant Name, Some Fear Scientific Confusion
Briefly

Botanists changed the term "caffra" to "affra" in scientific names to correct the historical usage of an offensive term linked with apartheid-era South Africa.
Debates around offensive names in science have led to changes like replacing names honoring racists and colonizers, reflecting social consciousness and avoiding derogatory terms.
Scientists are cautious about changing scientific names, typically doing so based on genetic evidence, as stable nomenclature is crucial for global scientific communication.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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