In botany, the
correct name according to the
International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) is the one and only
botanical name that is to be used for a particular
taxon, when that taxon has a particular
circumscription, position and
rank. Determining whether a name is correct is a complex procedure. The name must be 'validly published', a process which is defined in no less than 16 Articles of the ICN. It must also be 'legitimate', which imposes some further requirements. If there are two or more legitimate names for the same taxon (with the same circumscription, position and rank), then the correct name is the one which has
priority, i.e., it was published earliest, although names may be
conserved if they have been very widely used. Validly published names other than the correct name are called
synonyms. Since taxonomists may disagree as to the circumscription, position or rank of a taxon, there can be more than one correct name for a particular plant. These may also be called synonyms.