The orchids (species of Apostasia and Neuwiedia) that are considered to
be most evolutionarily primitive seem to me to be at least of comparable
intellectual interest to those that are studied because they are of
conventional horticultural interest (e.g. Phalaenopsis and groups of
species related to them, along with other horticulturally popular groups).
Studies of groups of genera at the edges of definition of the orchid
family should help to define it (to the extent that such definition is
possible), and they are beautiful both in themselves and in what they
represent, even though they will probably never be made into corsages, sold
as pot plants at garden centers, or spotlighted via mass media from
coverage of orchid shows.
Here are a few links for Apostasia and Neuwiedia:
http://www.orchidspng.com/Apostasia.html
http://www.orchidspecies.com/apostwallichii.htm
http://www.orchidspng.com/Neuwiedia.html
Brian O'Brien
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Brian A. O'Brien, Department of Chemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue, Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082 U.S.A.
e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
tel. (507)933-7310 fax (507)933-7041 http://www.gustavus.edu/~bobrien
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