Betr: Re: Arisaema hybrids

[pbruggeman at TISCALI.NL]

Tony,

I think liking or disliking hybrids is probably both largely based on emo=tions,
if not, please enlighten me.

Foodcrops and ornamental plants both make use of "weaknesses"of humans:
the need to eat and the need to please our eyes. In that sense you are ri=ght
and that can be a valuable reason to hybridize. I do however feel there
is one distinction: many of our ornamental plants are under threat in the=ir
wild habitat and I prefer to see a newly described or cultivated ornament=al
getting established in cultivation BEFORE it is lost in nature and only
survives in hybrids. Foodcrops do not run that risk as much as ornamental=s
because food has a much higher priority than preserving a nice garden pla=nt
in its native habitat. What is a treasured plant for you and me, can be
a irritating weed for a native and not worth protecting. Think of how man=y
habitats are destroyed to produce food.....

Don't make a mistake about it, the natural habitats are disappearing rapi=dly.
There is more to a good looking Arisaema than a nice picture on a website=
or in a book and to be honest, despite the fact that only a couple of Ari=saema
are covered in Cites under Appendix C, I do believe many species should
be added to that list and the list itself should have a higher priority
status than an appendix so species like ostiolatum, vexillatum, sarraceni=oides,
psittacus and many other rare endemics can be better protected. Many peop=le
on the AEG probably don't know how fast Arisaema-habitats are destroyed.

In my earlier posting on this subject I already mentioned that some of,
what we now consider species, are the result of natural hybrids in the pa=st
(as was mentioned by others on the AEG). It is one of the proven processe=s
that lead to speciation. However, the Arisaema-groups that are formed by
these processes are the most difficult for taxonomists to deal with so ca=n
one blame taxonomists for disliking attempts by hybridizers to make their=
work more complicated?

If it weren't for the natural hybridization we would have far less natura=l
"species" to begin with so yes, it is a important phenomenon. I don't thi=nk
artificial hybridization can or should be prevented, I only ask those who=
like to have a go with it with Arisaema to do it with some common sense
and yes, preferably not with rarer species before they are established in=
cultivation (but that is just me?). Tony, you propagate Arisaema through
tissue culture, why don't you try ALL the Chen Yi species you have bought=
so you don't have to buy these wild-collected plants again? You make mone=y
and without realizing it do nature a big favour. The species gets establi=shed
with the result that there is more than enough material to hybridize with=
and we are all happy (apart from Chen Yi....).

Yes, a large percentage of Arisaema species are highly polymorphic and as=
a matter of fact, Arisaema is probably one of the most actively evolving
genera known so we are still years away from being able to make a good re=vision
(if we ever can!). This variation means that many plants can't be even na=med
as species and I anticipate that we have to use the species-group concept=
much more in the future, simply because it reflects the natural dynamics
much better than a single species name. By documenting the hybrids and ke=ep
them as much separate from the "species" as possible, it makes the work
for taxonomists not unnecessary complicated. Live and let live......

Pascal


>Adam:
>
>        I think you are right about an emotional dislike of hybrids by
many
>folks
>with a strong botanical background.  I always find it interesting to see=
>how many species purists also translate their disdain for ornamental
>hybrids into edible plants.  Amazingly I've yet to find anyone that only=
>eats species meats and vegetables.  Speak up folks or is there some
>difference that I've missed if the plant is used for food.
>


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