Hippeastrum identity

Diana Chapman brings up a subject of potential interest to PBS members,
because we're currently in the later phase of preparing our first
sponsored publication: "The genus Hippeastrum in Bolivia," by Dr. Raul
Lara and colleagues. I translated the ms. into English for the purpose,
so I've read it and seen the photos in detail. It seems clear to me that
Hippeastrum species are unlikely to be identifiable by the coloration of
the flowers alone (any more than, say, Calochortus). Moreover, there are
taxonomic differences that appear to be yet unresolved even in the
closely studied Bolivian group, and presumably this is true of
populations in adjacent Andean countries as well, such as the two Diana
mentions in her first paragraph. As for the Bolivian species Hippeastrum
yungacense (note the spelling; "yungacensis" would have been the form
applied to the genus name Amaryllis, in which a certain group of
botanists placed Hippeastrum for many years), it is one of the more
widely distributed species and can be presumed to exhibit "different
amounts of red in the petals," as Diana mentions.

Moreover, a few species of Hippeastrum have been described based on a
single clone found in cultivation -- a circumstance that worried me. The
genus has been cultivated for ornamental and ritual purposes since
pre-Columbian times, and hybridization seems likely to have occurred. In
addition, the Bolivian researchers were able to rediscover some in the
wild that had been unknown since a single specimen had been described as
far back as the 19th century; an appendix to the forthcoming publication
has photos of the research assistants crossing a swift river on a raft
and climbing a vertical cliff to get access to one such. Some of the
species grow in places accessible only by mule trails, up on steep
slopes, or deep in the forested yungas (a local term for a kind of river
valley, and the source of "yungacense"). A few are known only from
gardens where local people have transplanted and maintained them.
Finally, to be tactful, specimens have been published which other
botanists do not regard as distinct from more widely distributed species.

I think the forthcoming monograph will go some distance toward resolving
the view of at least the Bolivian species (some of those described grow
in other countries as well), but it would be very helpful to see more
research on this beautiful group of plants. I admire them even if I
can't grow any of them.

Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USA

On 6/3/2018 8:19 AM, Diana Chapman wrote:

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/…

_______________________________________________
pbs mailing list
pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net
http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…