Jim, Apparently we have the Danes to thank for the various systems of -phytes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_life-form/ OED's first citation is 1896, an article citing F. W. C. Areschoug. It is interesting in light of the present discussion that geophytes originally fell under "cryptophytes", which would cover most of the not really geophytic taxa that seem to be causing such consternation. Perhaps we should change the name to Pacific Cryptophyte Society! I would only say to Alberto and Dylan and their numerous confreres that you are of course correct -- but what is the harm? More information, even if it isn't strictly on topic, is better, isn't it? I just cannot imagine anything bad happening because the wiki convinced some poor ingenue that Xanthorrhoea is a bulb. Admittedly, I have a casual interest in terrestrial orchids, but if they offended me I would simply refrain from visiting the pages about them. Best, Max Withers Oakland CA On Sun, May 6, 2012 at 5:20 PM, Jim McKenney <jamesamckenney@verizon.net> wrote: > Alberto, by "here" do you mean as defined on the PBSwiki? > > That's not what I'm asking about. I'm asking about the first usage of the term. > > Jim McKenney > > > ________________________________ > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/