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For guidance in matters not addressed here see contact info at the end.
Copy of these instructions (pdf file)
CHECKLIST FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO RHODORA
Please check items and submit with manuscript.
General Instructions
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Type manuscript on one side only of 8½ inch x 11 inch paper. Leave a 1-inch margin on all
sides. Use a standard 12-pitch font type throughout the manuscript, including tables and appendices.
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Do not justify the right margin. Avoid hyphens or dashes at the right margin.
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The manuscript should be fully double-spaced throughout, including title, authors' names and
addresses, Literature Cited, tables, appendices, and figure legends.
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Each page of the manuscript; excluding page 1 but including Literature Cited, tables, appendices,
and figure legends; should be numbered in the upper right-hand corner.
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Correct accents, umlauts, and other diacritical marks should be included. Where appropriate,
multiplication symbol must be used rather than the letter x.
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Only names at the rank of genus and below are italicized or underlined. If underlining is used,
do not underline spaces or punctuation.
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Special typefaces (italics, bold) should not be used except where indicated in this checklist.
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Do not italicize common Latin words, abbreviations, or phrases (e.g., et al., i.e., etc.).
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Manuscript should be checked for consistency, especially in matters of abbreviation, names of
sites or vegetation types, spelling of names, etc.
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The Chicago Manual of Style, most recent edition, is used as a reference in most matters of style.
Refer to recent issues of Rhodora.
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Assemble the manuscript in the following order: (1) Introductory material, (2) Text, (3) Acknowledgments,
(4) Literature Cited, (5) Tables, (6) Appendices (7) Figure legends, (8) Figures.
Introductory Material
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Running head should be centered, at top of page, in upper and lower case letters. Include author's
surname (if two authors use the word "and"; use "et al." for more than two authors), long dash,
and short title. Total characters, including spaces, must not exceed 50.
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Title should be centered, in upper and lower case. Only the first word of the title and proper nouns should
be capitalized. Do not include authors of scientific names. Include family name in parentheses unless genus
studied is type for the family.
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Author(s) name(s) and professional address(es) should appear below title, centered, in upper and lower
case. Consolidate lines where possible. Two-letter postal abbreviations should be used for states. "Current
address:" should appear on a separate line immediately following address if author has moved, not as a footnote.
If more than one author at an address, designate current address of author who has moved using a superscript
number. Include e-mail address(es) on a separate line following postal address(es). The first author will be
considered the corresponding author unless indicated otherwise by a superscript number. The "Author for
correspondence" statement follows on a separate line below the address, not as a footnote.
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Abstract must be one paragraph. The abstract should be a concise statement of intent, methods used, results,
and significance of findings. Do not cite references or taxonomic authors, or use and define abbreviations
in the abstract. The word "Abstract" should be indented, in all capital letters, followed by a period, and
should appear on the first line of the abstract.
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Key Words are used in indexing and should be chosen with that purpose in mind. The title "Key Words"
should appear at the left margin, followed by a colon. Only proper nouns should be capitalized.
Text
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The following are examples of first-level headings, which should appear centered and in all capital
letters: MATERIALS AND METHODS, RESULTS, DISCUSSION, TAXONOMIC TREATMENT. The introduction is not titled
in Rhodora. Do not combine results and discussion without first
consulting with the Editor. Do not use a separate section for conclusions or summary; these must be
incorporated into the discussion.
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Second-level headings should be indented, bold, upper and lower case, followed by a period, and should
appear on the same line as the subsequent text. The text should be written such that additional levels
of headings are not used.
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Each figure and table must be cited in the text in numerical order. The word "Figure" must be spelled
out. When citing both together, the table should be listed first and a semi-colon used to separate the
two (e.g., Table 1; Figure 1).
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Each reference cited in the text must appear in the Literature Cited section and vice versa. Cross-check
spelling of author(s) name(s) and dates of publication.
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Literature is cited in the text as follows:
1. One author: Hill (1982) or (Hill 1982)
2. Two authors: Angelo and Boufford (1996) or (Angelo and Boufford 1996)
3. More than two authors: Mathieson et al. (2000) or (Mathieson et al. 2000)
4. Note that there is no comma separating author and date.
5. When more than one paper is cited at a time, they should be listed alphabetically
by first author rather than chronologically [e.g., Angelo and Boufford (1996), Hill (1982), Mathieson et al. (2000)].
6. Within parentheses, citations should be separated by a semi-colon (e.g., Angelo and
Boufford 1996; Hill 1982)
7. Manuscripts accepted but not yet published: Tryon (in press) or (Tryon, in press)
8. Unpublished material: G. Crow (submitted); G. Crow (unpubl. data); G. Crow (pers. obs.); or
(G. Crow, cite professional affiliation, pers. comm.); unless otherwise listed or cited in the manuscript
or a nationally known authority, professional affiliation should also be given. Although technically
unpublished, theses and dissertations should be cited as books (include institution, city, and state in
Literature Cited entry).
9. For Web pages, the URL and date of most recent access should be given.
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References to companies manufacturing products used in a study should not appear in the Literature Cited. Rather, the
company name and location should be given in parentheses within the text [e.g., SYSTAT (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois)].
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When included, authors of scientific names should be cited either at their first usage in
the text or in a table or appendix (e.g., in a flora or table of voucher specimens). It should be indicated which
taxonomic treatment, revision, or flora nomenclature follows. Use standard abbreviations for author's names found
at www.ipni.org (from Authors
of Plant Names by R. K. Brummitt and C. E. Powell).
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Names of publications cited in the text should be in italics.
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Avoid abbreviations in the text unless indicating measurement, in which case use a period unless abbreviating a metric term.
Other abbreviations should be defined when first used [e.g., Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)]. Herbarium acronyms
should follow or Index Herbariorum
(http://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/IndexHerbariorum.asp/).
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Numbers one through nine should be written out in the text unless a measurement or part of a taxonomic description.
No comma is used with 4-digit numbers. A number should always precede a decimal point (e.g., 0.15).
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Back-to-back parentheses should be avoided by using a semi-colon. Parentheses within parentheses should be avoided
by using outer brackets.
Taxonomic Treatments
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Use boldface Roman type for new names and new combinations, followed by "sp. nov.", "comb. nov.", etc.
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For nomenclatural history (i.e., synonymy and typification) use one paragraph per basionym [e.g., Binomial author,
literature citation. TYPE: collection information from least-to-most-specific, collector(s) collection number
(Holotype: herbarium acronym; Isotypes: herbarium acronym(s).].
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Exclamation points are used for type specimens examined, and types not seen are indicated as such (e.g., GH!, MO not seen).
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Lectotype designations are included together with an indication of where they were designated, what year, and by whom.
This reference is listed in the Literature Cited. If the author of the paper is making the lectotypification, the phrase
"here designated" is included.
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References cited only as part of nomenclatural history are not included in the Literature Cited. Books listed here
are abbreviated according to Taxonomic Literature, edition 2.
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Standard abbreviations for author's names should be used according to
www.ipni.org (from Authors of Plant Names by R. K. Brummitt and C. E. Powell).
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When dates are given as part of collection information, 3-letter abbreviations with no period are used for months.
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Use or Index Herbariorum
(http://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/IndexHerbariorum.asp)
for herbarium acronyms.
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Designation of a new taxon should include a brief Latin diagnosis, rather than a full Latin description,
which sets forth succinctly how the new taxon differs from its congeners.
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A full description, in English, should follow. This should be parallel with other descriptions at the same
rank in the paper, and should not repeat information given in any description of the inclusive taxon
(i.e., species descriptions should not repeat information characteristic of the genus, if also described
in the paper). All measurements are metric. Hyphens are used for parenthetical extremes. A multiplication
symbol is used where appropriate, rather than the letter x.
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Following the description, information should be given on distribution, ecology, uses, and nomenclature
and typification, where appropriate. The discussions should be parallel within a given rank. For
newly described taxa, this discussion should explain clearly how the new taxon differs in these characteristics
from closely related taxa.
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A high-quality line drawing or photograph of the type specimen, illustrating the diagnostic features,
should be included for new taxa.
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Specimen citation should be selected critically, especially for common species of broad distribution.
A title such as "Specimens examined" or "Representative specimens examined" should be indented, in upper
and lower case, followed by a period. Each country begins a new paragraph. The format of information is as
follows: COUNTRY. Major political division such as state: smaller political division such as county,
detailed location, date (e.g., 26 Sep 1950), collector(s) last name(s) collection number or s.n.
(herbarium acronym). Exclamation points are not included here.
Keys
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Keys are dichotomous and indented.
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Leads of each couplet are parallel.
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Information in the key is consistent with that in descriptions, text, tables, and figures.
Data and Voucher Specimens
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Voucher specimens must be cited in a table or appendix to document sources of morphological or
molecular data. Format for citation is the same as that for "specimens examined" as part of
taxonomic treatments.
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All sequences used as data must be deposited in one of the international nucleotide sequence
databases, and sequence database accession numbers included in the paper (GenBank: www.ncb.nlm.nih.gov/Genbank).
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All data matrices used in cladistic analyses should be deposited in
TreeBASE (http://www.treebase.org).
Floras
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Long lists of taxa are best treated as an Appendix, so that the readability of the text is not compromised,
and so that the list may be used independently by readers.
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A short introductory paragraph explaining terms or abbreviations used in the list of taxa should follow the
Appendix title (see Searcy and Hickler 1999, Rhodora 101:356).
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Three levels of headings are possible in lists of taxa: first-level is centered, all capitals, bold
(e.g., ANGIOSPERMAE or MAGNOLIOPSIDA); second-level is centered, all capitals, not bold
(e.g., MONOCOTYLEDONEAE or LILIIDAE); third level is flush left, all capitals, bold
(e.g., ACORACEAE; this level will be converted to small caps by the printer).
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Taxa should be listed alphabetically within each hierarchical category (e.g., species alphabetically
within the genus; genera alphabetically within family).
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Standard abbreviations for authors of binomials should be used according to
www.ipni.org (from Authors of Plant Names by R. K. Brummitt and C. E. Powell).
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An indication of ecological preference, distribution within the area studied, and abundance should be
included, where appropriate.
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Voucher specimens should be listed (collector, collection number, and herbarium acronym; information
common to all or most all vouchers can be stated in an introductory paragraph). Collectors' initials
should be included for all specimens.
Acknowledgments
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Acknowledgments should be brief.
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Information on granting agencies, herbaria from which loans were obtained, artists, and colleagues or
advisors who have critically reviewed the manuscript should be included.
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The word "Acknowledgments" should be indented, in all capital letters, followed by a period, and should
appear on the first line of the acknowledgments.
Literature Cited
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The Literature Cited contains all references cited in the text and vice versa.
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The alternative of a general "References" section requires prior approval by the Editor.
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All entries should be cross-checked with the text, checking especially for spelling of authors'
names and years of publication.
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All entries should be verified against original sources, checking especially for spelling of
authors names and words in languages other than English, exact title, year of publication, and
volume and page numbers.
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Cite references in alphabetical order by first author's last name. Entries by a single author
should precede multi-authored works with the same first author, regardless of date.
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List works by the same author chronologically, beginning with earliest date of publication.
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Use long dash when the author(s) is/are the same as in the citation immediately preceding.
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Citations listed as "in press" must have been accepted for publication. The name of the journal
or book publisher must be included.
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Citations of work in progress (i.e., unpublished or not yet accepted for publication) should not be
listed in the Literature Cited. See format for citation under "Text."
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A period and a space must be inserted after each initial of an author's name. Do not write author's
names in all capital letters. Do not write out given names in full.
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Leave one space between the colon following volume number and the page number(s).
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Periodicals are abbreviated according to B-P-H (Botanico-Periodicum-Huntianum) and
B-P-H/S (Botanico-Periodicum-Huntianum/Supplementum).
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Citations should follow one of the following formats:
1. Papers in periodicals: Author's last name, initials. Year. Full title of article.
Journal abbreviation and volume: page numbers. No parenthetical part numbers are given after volume
numbers unless each part is paginated separately.
2. More than one author: Author's last name, initials, second author's initials, last name,
and third author's initials, last name. A comma precedes the word "and" when there are more than two authors.
3. Papers in edited volumes: Author's last name, initials. Year. Full title of article,
pp. xx-xx. In: editor's initials, last name, ed., title of book. Publisher, place of publication.
4. Books: Author's last name, initials. Year. Full title of book, edition and/or volume number.
Publisher, place of publication.
5. Web sites: Author's name and initials (or institution publishing the site). Year. Full title of
database. URL (date of most recent access).
Tables
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Tables should be formatted using the MS Word Table function; do not format tables using the Tab key.
If using an imported format, use copy/paste.
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Do not leave blank cells in tables.
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Each table should be cited in the text in numerical order.
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Each table should start on a separate sheet and is fully double-spaced. If necessary, a table may be continued on a
second page. Do not single-space or use a smaller font in order to fit a large table onto a single page.
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Landscape (or broadside) formatting should be avoided, if possible.
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The caption should appear at the top of the table. Do not submit a separate sheet of table captions.
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The caption should be indented, in upper and lower case, and should begin with the word "Table" and Arabic
number followed by a period. Caption should be self-explanatory.
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Do not use footnotes. Instead, add notes to the end of the caption.
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Gridlines will be removed for publication.
Figure Captions
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Figure captions should appear together on a page separate from the illustrations. Do not use a separate page
for each caption.
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Each figure should be cited in the text in numerical order.
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Captions should be double-spaced and in paragraph format. Each should be indented, upper and lower case, and
should begin with the word "Figure" and Arabic number followed by a period.
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When figures have been grouped into composite plates, figure caption should begin with an inclusive statement
describing the whole plate, followed by descriptions of each part (e.g., Figures 1-6. Morphological characters
of Oleandra. 1. Long roots . . .)
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Specimens used for illustrations should be indicated either in the caption or in a table of voucher specimens.
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Magnifications or reductions are not indicated in figure captions.
Figuress
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Illustrations must be either half-tones ("black and white" photographs) or line art (drawings or graphs). Color photographs
must be paid for by the author(s), and require prior approval of the Editor.
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Maximum printed page area available for illustrations is 4 in × 6 in Authors should format illustrations to fit the page in order to
check clarity and resolution before submitting.
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Avoid landscape (or broadside) illustration, where possible.
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Preferred formats are EPS, TIFF, high quality JPEG, PDF, and Adobe Photoshop files. Do not submit
artwork incorporated into a Word file. Acceptability of files should be checked prior to submission using the on-line tool
Allen veriFigTM (go to http://verifig.allenpress.com
and use the password allenpresscmyk; an "RGB Error" can be ignored).
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Resolution for line art is 600-1200 dpi for the 4-in page width. Neither the editors nor the printer can improve the
resolution of your artwork.
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Resolution for photographs is 300-600 dpi for the 4-in page width. Neither the editors nor the printer can improve the
resolution of your artwork.
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Each illustration must be submitted as a separate digital file or as camera-ready copy.
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Flaws cannot be corrected by either the Editor or the printer. Because of this, italicized words must be printed in
italics, and all names and terms must be consistent with those used in the text. This includes any capitalization as
well as spelling.
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All camera-ready illustrations must have at least a 1-inch margin on all sides.
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Illustrations submitted as camera-ready copy should be in final journal size for 100% reproduction. If oversized
illustrations must be submitted, they should fit in a 10 X 13 inch envelope, and high quality, journal-size
reproductions must be included for review.
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Smaller photos should be grouped into composite plates, where possible. Edges should be abutted, with no stripping
between adjacent photos (this will be added by printer). Each photo in a composite plate must be labeled with numbers
or letter. Do not use a word-processing program for this purpose, as it will reduce the resolution of the photos.
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Scale bars must appear on highly magnified illustrations. Do not indicate magnification in figure legend.
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Review copies of half-tone figures must be photographic copies or reproductions approaching the quality
of the originals. Do not submit ordinary xerox copies of photographs for review.
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For maps, a scale and either compass direction or references to longitude and latitude must be included.
Maps should have a fine border.
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For final, camera-ready submissions: photographs must be mounted on stiff, lightweight white board;
laser-printed figures must be printed on high-quality paper.
Notes and New England Notes
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The Notes and New England Notes sections are available for short contributions that augment a recent
publication or contribute to our knowledge of the flora. While these papers do not typically
contribute new experimental data, they must have the scientific merit of longer papers, and must
include references to pertinent literature, a discussion of scientific significance, and must cite
voucher collections, where appropriate.
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Submissions in this category should not include an abstract, key words, or sections such as Materials
and Methods or Results.
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Notes and New England Notes submissions should be no more than five double-spaced pages long.
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In general, guidelines for longer articles should be followed.
Before Submitting
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Submission of a manuscript implies it is not being considered for publication elsewhere, either in whole or in part.
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Prior to publication authors will be required to sign a
Transfer of Copyright Agreement.
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Brevity is urged for all submissions. If manuscripts are returned with considerable rewriting necessary,
additional peer review is typically sought by the Editor.
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It is the author's responsibility to verify all information included in the manuscript.
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The manuscript version submitted should have been read critically by all coauthors.
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The manuscript should be checked against these instructions. Manuscripts not properly prepared may be returned
for revision prior to review.
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Papers of excessive length may be returned to the author for submission to the New England Botanical Club's
Special Publications series.
What to Submit
- Manuscripts, cover letters, and checklists may be submitted via e-mail to efarnsw@fas.harvard.edu, provided each file (including images) is less than 5MB in size. If larger files need to be transmitted, please contact the Editor before sending them. Hard copies, accompanied by a CD with the corresponding electronic files, are also welcome and can be mailed to the address below.
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Cover letter, which should cover:
1. Any special instructions.
2. Phone, FAX, and e-mail address of corresponding author.
3. Any possible address changes (including phone, FAX, and e-mail) within the next several months.
4. Names, addresses, and e-mail addresses of possible objective reviewers.
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This checklist, with completed items marked.
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Submit to:
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For questions not covered by the information in this checklist, refer to recent issues of the journal or contact
the Editor by e-mail (efarnsw@fas.harvard.edu).
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