Though some of the 'shell game' moves have been hideously confusing, I believe the final intent is to greatly simplify the process for naming orchid hybrids.
Several of the 'changes' are actually acceptance of nomenclature rules established decades ago - such as the "x" before nothogenera. Collapsing sophronitis into cattleya is, IMHO, a master step. In the Oct-Dec 2007 supplement to Orchid Hybrid Names, the RHS orchid registrar demonstrated the explosion of nothogenera possible with the acceptance of validly published genera. Some of those changes, such as the two brassavola species to ryncholaelia, go back many decades - but no-one ever bothered to establish correct nothogenera names. So your beloved BLC could be a Rolfeara, Rhynchosophrocattleya, Marriottara, Ryncholaeliocattleya, or a Thwaiteseara depending upon the species behind it. Don't we really consider those all cattleyas - or at least 'cattleya alliance'? The unregistered hybrids are a separate issue. I recently worked on a judging team that turned down a delightful reed-stem epidendrum because the parents were a back cross to 'unknown'. Luckily the plant can't read, growing and blooming - blissfully unaware that it will likely never receive an award. My plan is to keep playing and watch the strategy unfold. David Janvrin > >Message: 1 >Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 17:16:43 +0000 >From: K Barrett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [OGD] naming questions >To: <[email protected]> >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" > > >Looking through the most recent AQplus and the most recent Orchid Hybrid List >is see there are 'groups'. I'm familiar with the V coerulea 'pink group' and >'blue group'. I had no idea more groups were in the offing. Gepetto group, >indeed. Is the hybrid registry really going to pay attention to these groups? > And now, according to the AOS webpage, Sophronitis is going into Cattleya and >an x or times sign will preceed all nothogenera. I assume everyone will >ignore these changes and they'll become irrelevant. Alex Maxiamano will be >the only person who'll have to know them so he can put the synonyms into OW. > >I'm sorry. I'm really trying not to rant. But there are times when I really >have to know the "right" name for an orchid and these fluctuations are driving >me batty. Combined with non-registered hybrids (like Den. Emma White) its >sapping all the fun out of being an insufferable know-it-all. We used to >laugh and say that growing orchids and knowing their names was a sure fire way >to stave off Alzheimer's, but I give up. >I guess growing species is the easier road. But no... I take that back... >What's the line from the old movie 'War Games'? The only winning move is not >to play. > >So who has street cred? Will Soph become C? Will it stay that way? Will >these 'groups' be something we need to be famiar with? (Dear God keep them >away from the color forms of L purpurata! or is it Soph purpurata? or C >purpurata...?) > >K Barrett >N Calif, USA _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
