What’s in a name? The curious case of Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora)

Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A.Camus) is among the most common and well researched Himalayan trees. Yet, its latin name has been a subject of confusion. Early Himalayan researchers knew it as Quercus incana Roxb. While Camus proposed Q. leucotrichophora in 1935, it was only after Bahadur (1975) gave clear justification and a need for the name change, that Q. leucotrichophora became widely used. In recent years, Quercus oblongata D.Don has come into use likely due to an error in outdated taxonomic databases. This name is incorrect and should not be used. Quercus leucotrichophora is the only correct and accepted name for banj/ban oak. The use of multiple scientific names leads to uncertainty and must be discontinued.