[MAIPC] Invasive plant nomenclature

Tue Nov 22 20:45:11 PST 2022

Hi Patricia and Norris,

This has been an issue we are very aware of at Blue Ridge PRISM and last
year we made the decision to use the term "Asiatic Bittersweet" rather than
"Oriental Bittersweet." However, at this time we continue to use terms like
Japanese stiltgrass, Norway maple, and English ivy as they seem to be more
indicative of the origin of the species rather than any derogatory intent.
As an Asian woman, I've encountered language out there that makes me
uncomfortable (e.g. articles that refer to some invasive plants as "Asian
intruders" or "alien invaders") because the terms, although not intended in
this aspect, have been used against Asian (and other immigrant) people in
the past and continue to be used that way.  So, it is more than just plant
nomenclature but also how we talk about invasive plants in general that
make up the bigger picture on how we as a whole can be more mindful and
respectful of how we use our words in this field.

I'm grateful to be part of the conversation.

All the best,
Rowena Zimmermann

--
Rowena Zimmermann
Director of Communications & Outreach
Blue Ridge PRISM
rowena at blueridgeprism.org

Blue Ridge PRISM <https://blueridgeprism.org/> is a partnership for
regional invasive species management in Virginia.

On Tue, Nov 22, 2022 at 6:09 PM <maipc-request at lists.maipc.org> wrote:

>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: Nomenclature (Muth, Norris (MUTH))
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:07:53 +0000
> From: "Muth, Norris (MUTH)" <MUTH at juniata.edu>
> To: "MAIPC at Lists.maipc.org" <maipc at lists.maipc.org>
> Subject: Re: [MAIPC] Nomenclature
> Message-ID:
>         <
> MN2PR15MB362942627132B644883AD22DC80D9 at MN2PR15MB3629.namprd15.prod.outlook.com
> >
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
>
> Patricia,
> I?m a big fan of all the good work you?re doing. Thanks for brining up
> this important and interesting subject.
>
> Lots of the words that figure into both common and scientific names are
> derogatory and/or offensive. In most of the cases below I have mixed
> feelings about searching for alternate common names (with the exception of
> bittersweet which I have seen some preferring the term Asiatic
> bittersweet). I know that in other contexts (e.g. COVID and flu, etc.) some
> people have tried (and sometimes succeeded) to turn the names of regions
> into something with negative connotations. In the recent case of the
> coronavirus outbreak some people chose specifically to use terminology that
> wasn?t common parlance to stoke these negative associations. Thankfully, I
> don?t see the parallel between that abhorrent behavior and the botanical
> examples below.
>
> To me, the names Japanese stiltgrass and the like merely refer to
> locations that the species originate from (likely somewhat inaccurately ?
> but being accurate with biological names is a different problem). We can
> all agree that there?s nothing offensive about being from Japan, China,
> Norway, or anywhere. What would definitely be troubling is if people were
> pushing messages that these are anything other than purely descriptive when
> using these terms. I admit that could certainly be possible, but I haven?t
> yet seen that myself.
>
> What I certainly want to avoid is using offensive terminology to describe
> plants (and anything else), and I think people are doing great work in
> places to address that (e.g. spongy moth). I also want to avoid (and I know
> very well that you aren?t suggesting this yourself ? but it could arise
> from renaming efforts) the idea that being from any of these countries is a
> bad thing.
>
> I also want to avoid unnecessary confusion around invasive species listing
> and management, which could be an unfortunate byproduct of renaming species
> that are still for sale. If someone can buy Norway maple, I want to make
> sure I?m able to tell them what to avoid in the same easy-to-understand
> terms.
>
> If there is more light to be shed on this discussion I would be grateful
> to hear them. Thanks again for bringing up this interesting and important
> issue.
>
> Norris
>
>
> ?
> Norris Z. Muth, Ph.D. (he/him)
> Juniata College
> Zoom meeting<https://juniata.zoom.us/my/muthlab>
> muthlab.org<http://muthlab.org/>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: MAIPC <maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org> on behalf of Greenberg,
> Patricia <Patricia.Greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2022 10:15:58 AM
> To: MAIPC at Lists.maipc.org <maipc at lists.maipc.org>
> Subject: [MAIPC] Nomenclature
>
> CAUTION: External Email
>
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I?m continuing a conversation about the names of invasive species that
> feel insensitive to use. Recently, Virginia Master Naturalists held a
> webinar on this topic (which I haven?t watched yet).
>
>
>
> What's in a Name? Thoughtful Nomenclature Makes a Difference
> Presenter: Angela Gupta, University of Minnesota Extension
> Recorded: 10 November 2022
> Watch the video<
> https://video.vt.edu/media/VMN+CE+WebinarA+What%27s+In+a+NameF+Thoughtful+Nomenclature+Makes+a+Difference/1_r4imzpls>
> (Note: this version of the video has machine-generated captions. Caption
> editing is in progress, and the new version with edited captions will be
> posted here in approximately two weeks.)
>
>
>
>
>
> I am planning to work with our botanist to find names for invasives that
> reference their location of origin, such as:
>
> Oriental bittersweet
>
> Japanese stiltgrass
>
> Japanese/Chinese wisterias
>
> Chinese Holly
>
> Japanese Holly
>
> And others
>
>
>
> My question to you is if you or people you know have started these
> conversations and if so, what names are you using/changing?
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> Patricia Pearl Greenberg
> Ecologist II
>
> Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program Manager
>
> Natural Resource Branch
>
> Fairfax County Park Authority
>
> Office: 703-324-8673
>
> patricia.greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:
> patricia.greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov>
>
> (She/Her/Hers)
>
>
>
> ISA Certified Arborist, MA-6067A
>
> ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
>
>
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