What is Incertae sedis?
{{Italic title}}[[File:Hyphodontia sambuci Eglinton.JPG|right|thumb|200px| The white on this branch of [[Elderberry]] is a [[fungus]] called Elder Whitewash (''Hyphodontia sambuci''). It is little researched, and might be put ''incertae sedis'' in the [[basidiomycete]]s.]] In [[taxonomy]], the term '''''incertae sedis''''' (abbreviated '''inc. sed.''') is used for a [[taxon]] when its broader relationship to other taxa is unknown. The first person who used the term in [[botany]] was probably [[Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu]]. In his book ''Genera Plantarum'' of 1789 he listed a few ''plantae incertae sedis''. Reasons why a taxon might be classified as ''incertae sedis'' include: *The description is not detailed enough to permit a clear classification. *A scientific publication about a taxon does not focus on its classification. The taxon is labeled ''incertae sedis'', because the authors of the publication do not want to ''guess'' where the taxon belongs. *Different researchers may have different opinions of where a taxon should be classed. Until the conflicts are resolved, the taxon is classed as ''incertae sedis''. {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Taxonomy| ]]