I was recently contacted by someone who tells me he thinks the bulb I have identified as H. machupijchensis is probably H. cuzcoensis. He sent me photographs of both species to back this up, and if the photographs are correct, he is right. I am not sure how to correct this problem, since I have been selling H. machupijchensis for some time now. While I do feel that the person who contacted me is correct, and is expert in this area, I often gets e-mails saying 'it isn't' when I list a new bulb. Who to believe when you can't back it up through the literature? This does open the question, though, of how to properly identify Hippeastrums. I spend a great deal of time double checking identities of the bulbs I sell, but without a proper reference to go to, it is very difficult. I do not depend on photographs on the internet, firstly because you can't see enough detail, and secondly because there is a great deal of misinformation out there. I have a complete set of Herbertia, but without an index it is a very slow trawl through the many issues to try to find what you are looking for (which might not even be there). I have, therefore, had to rely on the identity given to me by the collector the bulbs have come from. My H. machupijchesis bulbs came originally from Harry Hay in England (now deceased). His reputation was excellent, although I don't believe he ever collected any of his material in the wild. It is very easy for mistakes to become compounded when collectors trade material back and forth. I would say that at least 20% of Hippeastrums I have received this way were not what they were supposed to be, some were species that are very commonly available, or even commercial hybrids. There is, also, natural variation in a species. I have three different accessions of H. yungacensis, and they all look different, having different amounts of red in the petals, but I feel fairly confident they are all the true species. I would much appreciate any input from Hippeastrum collectors. I was very appreciative when this person not only sent me this information, but sent me photographs of the true species taken in habitat. Diana Chapman Telos Rare Bulbs http://www.telosrarebulbs.com/ _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…