Re: CP digest 373

Fernando Rivadavia Lopes (ferndriv@cat.cce.usp.br)
Sun, 11 Jun 1995 19:39:49 -0300 (EST)

Dear Ben,

> I finally received Lowry's catalogue. Here's some questions:
> 1. Anyone out there know the U.S.-Australian $ exchange rate?
> I'm curious to find out how much a $3 seed pack really(?) costs.
> 2. What are a) Proboscidea > b) Ibicillia > c) Roridulla
> 3. Does anyone know if there's any other source of Genlisea and
>Polypompholyx aside from Lowry? I know I asked this before in reference
>to Poly. but I just thought I'd check once more before I make the
>purchase (I also can't stand waiting so long).
>
> Ben
> benjinsl@astro.ocis.temple.edu

Last I heard, 1 australian dollar was worth 0.75 american
dollars. That is, AS$1 = US$0.75. Jan Schlauer might be more up to date
on the Proboscidea/Ibicella business, but by what I know, they're the
same thing. Proboscidea and Martinia are old names for what is now known
as Ibicella, a groups of plants native to the SE USA I think. As to
Roridula, this is a genus found in South Africa which contains only 2
species and is one of those which some claim to be carnivorous while
others say they aren't. In any case, both have sticky glands like
Drosera, have very nice flowers, and are neat looking plants worth
cultivating.

> > The 'resting bud' forming species like P. grandiflora and vulgaris
> > form lots of gemmae around the main bud which can be planted
> > separately.
> > and don't work for cuttings (for me anyway.)
> > -----------------

> And it's just occurred to me - esseriana ejecting viable leaves which
> take root and make new plants. Presumably this is the manner in which
> gemmae in temperate and boreal Pings evolved, with gradually more
> specialized leaf structures developing from these leaves in the course
> of evolution, culminating in the excellently effective gemmae?
> Perhaps esseriana faces slightly harder conditions in winter than it's
> tropical Ping. counterparts, which have set it on it's evolutionary way?
> I don't know the habitats esseriana is found in (except that they're
> a damn sight warmer than Wales, :) - any thoughts anyone?
>
>
> Happy growing,
>
> Peter Cole

Hey Jan, Peter might not've noticed it, but he sure gave us a good
idea as to how the pygmy Drosera gemmae evolved!!

FERNANDO RIVADAVIA
Sao Paulo, Brasil