Our OGD colleague, Greig Russell, published a most interesting article in
the CSA[The Cymbidium Society of America] Journal : "Some thoughts on
albescent cymbidiums" (vol. 3 (1), pp. 6-11, Jan-Feb 2003).
A quote from the article :
"Cymbidiums which are genetically incapable of normal anthocyanin pigment
production have been the source of much
interest and attraction; particularly in the last few decades. The question
of a suitable name for plants of this type has been long debated and there
are many suggestions. Albescent and Albinistic refer to plants which show a
significant degree of reduction in normal anthocyanin production. I tend to
use the former term, but not exclusively. Albino is often used for
anthocyanin-free plants, but to me this term means plants incapable of
producing chlorophyll; that is those with white leaves. A selfing of
Cymbidium suavissimum has given me about 25% of seedlings of this type, not
something I have attempted to maintain in cultivation; the normal green
seedlings being difficult enough. Alba is a useful term for
anthocyanin-free plants, especially where cattleyas are concerned; most
alba cattleyas being white. Unfortunately many alba cymbidiums are green. I
still find this the term of choice for plants which have no anthocyanin.
Pure-colour is currently the most popular term to describe anthocyanin-free
cymbidiums. Nice clean pinks with no
browning seem to fit better with this name, in my opinion. Concolor refers
to plants having the lip similarly coloured to the sepals and are not
necessarily anthocyanin deficient. A Tinted Alba, by my definition, is a
plant which contains a highly reduced anthocyanin concentration, but is not
completely anthocyanin-free. I would like a useful term like Ananthocyanic
to exist, but it really does sound rather pedantic."
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Regards,
Viateur
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