Re: Alvim Seidel Philodendron seeds - questions

From: Hermine Stover <hermine at endangeredspecies.com> on 1997.03.15 at 03:03:38(504) At 08:07 PM 3/14/97 -0600, Eduardo Gomes Goncalves wrote: >Dear Todd, > > We have an interest subject to discuss here... > Let me introduce the problem: The Taxonomical point of view can be >quite different from the horticultural point of view. In fact, very >different things can be joined under a same botanical name. Such >synonimization (undulatum=eichlerii, >bipinnatifidum=selloum=lundii=melo-barretoanum) has been recently proposed >by Simon Mayo (Kew Bull. 46(4):601-681. 1991), but the changes still >hasn't reached the horticultural business. Besides, the morphological >difference between a typical P. bipinnatifidum and a typical P. selloum >is somewhat impressive. Although, we can find lots of intermediary forms >in the wild so we can't even outline an acceptable diagnosis to >distinguish them as taxonomical units. That doesn't mean that the forms >are morphologicaly equal, but such variability allows that the two >extreme forms, if taken without the intermediaries, can be assumed as >different species (as has already happened in the past). I presume that >Alvim Seidel isn't a taxonomist so he isnt up-to-dated. > If my mind isn't confused, the so-called Amorphophallus 'black-stem' >is an unusual form of the old A. konjac. This is a good example of how two >different things to the horticulturist can be the same thing to someone >like Wilbert (or any other taxonomist)! > There is one more thing. If there is an unusual form of a given >species that is rarer than the other(s), in my opinion, is fair to charge >a little more for it, even when they have the same botanical name. > >Sincerely, > >Eduardo. +More > >When I got my order from Seidel in the mid 70's (complete with scorpion) the Sansevierias included were in no way resembling what they were labelled. and they weren't even that rare. I still think such an order as this is good, from the standpoint of pure serendipity. > > > 3 acres of California-grown Bamboo, Palms, Cycads, Sansevierias, Exotics. Visit us at http://www.endangeredspecies.com or (714)544-9505.e-mail to nursery@endangeredspecies.com

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