At 01:53 PM 7/22/2004 +0000, you wrote: > well, this little argue about the possibility of changing the name of Habenaria > rhodocheila seems a bit useless >doesn't it? >Moreover, even if you want to, you will have to proove there is two distinct species, >and now, morphology is >not the only criterium to take in count. Genetics also play a great role. >To find the original description, it might be useful to know where it has been first >published it might be >conserved in a museum now, but you still can find a copy... >actually, taxonomy at this point is not really an interest for the average >hobbyist... who calls it Prostechea...? >and what you are doing with this form of habenaria is exactly what you denouce about >the great ego, do you >want to print your name? become a novelist, or then publish a paper in a scientific >journal... > >cheers.
Actually, David, it's much less lofty than that...I simply want to make sure I have the right label on my plant (and the right name attached to any photographs I take of it). It was sold to me as H. erichmichaelii by Andy's Orchids and I had an interest in the reasoning behind the name change. Perhaps in France, the average hobbyist does not care about taxonomic changes (I had been calling my clamshell orchid Prosthechea cochleata until a few weeks ago when I found out that Withner wants to reassign it back to Anacheilium--now I don't know what to call it), but many hobbyists at my society are indeed interested in orchid taxonomic trends. Perhaps we should simply go to using common names for all our orchids "the orchid with the clamshell-like lip", "the terrestrial orchid with the pink lip that has a vague man-like shape"...no, I don't think so. Honestly, Dr. Braem had been very helpful in clarifying some basic issues on taxonomy...it seemed like a cordial exchange of information between an expert in taxonomy (Dr. Braem) and a mere novice (myself). Were the reverse to happen and Dr. Braem make an inquiry on useful methods for designing 3d models of orchid flowers in computer 3d modeling/rendering software, I would've been happy to oblige and divulge what information I could on the subject...this is an area in which I would be the expert and Dr. Braem the novice. All seemed well in the OGD world. For whatever reason, there was a drastic tonal change in his response to my mini photo essay on the differences between the two color forms of the flowers. Rude and insulting statements like: "Obviously you are not a taxonomist. So don't confuse issues." "...don't play taxonomy ... it is NOT a game and you are doing nothing but confusing people." and "And if you are not a taxonomist, keep your fingers out of it" and even further insulting statements in subsequent posts: "you are simply a smart alec who thinks he can do taxonomy and hasn't even got the slightest clue" "...I sure as hell don't need idiots like Prem..." implied that those of us who are not well-versed in taxonomy shouldn't even bother...we should simply wait until the latest trends in thinking are conferred upon us lesser individuals, which we should accept with a sense of blind faith. Forgive me, but I thought the concept of "ex cathedra" went out with the Reformation and the Renaissance. Were this type of thinking to be wholly accepted by the scientific community, then a large body of scientific work would never be done. But this is not the case...the "amateur" will always be a big contributor to science, as he/she can be the eyes and ears of the "experts" in places where they would never have the time (or inclination) to go. All I was after was a simple understanding of the classification of the plant that is one of my favorites in my orchid collection, and have instead been told to sit down, shut up, and just accept things the way they are...I'm sorry, but I cannot do that...I was born with an innate sense of curiosity and an interest in exchanging information and ideas with others who have that same sense of curiosity...this is one of the fundamental "graces" of humanity, albeit one that gets lost much of the time. ---Prem www.premdesign.com
_______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
