Paph tonsum v. curtisifolium
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Very interesting!
Nice P. tonsum.
As to its name it seems this variety it isn't officially described and accepted, because KEW doesn't accept any variety of P. tonsum. Have a look at http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Paphiopedilum+tonsum . Stephen doesn't mention it either http://www.slipperorchids.info/paphdatasheets/sigmatopetalum/tonsum/index.html . But Jay Pfahl has it on his site http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/paphtonsumvarcurtisifloium.jpg . Perhaps vendors use this name as you can see here https://www.orchidweb.com/orchids/paphiopedilum/species/paph-tonsum-var-curtisifolium-elle-x-blaine#
As to its name it seems this variety it isn't officially described and accepted, because KEW doesn't accept any variety of P. tonsum. Have a look at http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Paphiopedilum+tonsum . Stephen doesn't mention it either http://www.slipperorchids.info/paphdatasheets/sigmatopetalum/tonsum/index.html . But Jay Pfahl has it on his site http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/paphtonsumvarcurtisifloium.jpg . Perhaps vendors use this name as you can see here https://www.orchidweb.com/orchids/paphiopedilum/species/paph-tonsum-var-curtisifolium-elle-x-blaine#
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I like this colour form
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Nice.Isn t it colour variety mentioned in the past as braemii?
No, P. braemii or P. tonsum var. braemii (both names are now invalid and synonyms) distinguishes by P. tonsum by its smaller flower, shorter petals and a narrower staminode.
Phaladdict
Orchids addict
Looks like Braemii to me also, in any case nice one
When I received the plant I thought that it didn't look curtisii like which I assume it should because of the "variety" name. It's mainly green in color. I'll post a pic later. Thanks for the comments!
The funny thing is that Braem himself (Genus Paphiopedilum, 2nd ed.) in his text only reckons one colour form of tonsum apart from the typical one, namely fma. alboviride. Almost needless to say, that he has P. braemii as a separate species.
In the illustrations to the chapter, though, where these species are described, there suddenly appears a photo of P. tonsum 'curtisipholium'. How this has to be interpreted remains something of a mystery to this reader? Maybe, he just couldn't make up his mind about its taxonomic status?
Braem's flower has a more distinct greenish hue to it's dorsal and petals than bulolo's has (maybe just because photos taken with a very different light?) - and in that respect looks like an intermediary form between the typical tonsum and braemii.
Maybe, it makes more sense to consider them all within the range of the same species (possibly with braemii and maybe also curtisipholium as varieties).
There seems to be room for a revision of the P. tonsum complex - and the opportunity for publication for botanists! (Do you hear me, Olaf?
)
In the illustrations to the chapter, though, where these species are described, there suddenly appears a photo of P. tonsum 'curtisipholium'. How this has to be interpreted remains something of a mystery to this reader? Maybe, he just couldn't make up his mind about its taxonomic status?
Braem's flower has a more distinct greenish hue to it's dorsal and petals than bulolo's has (maybe just because photos taken with a very different light?) - and in that respect looks like an intermediary form between the typical tonsum and braemii.
Maybe, it makes more sense to consider them all within the range of the same species (possibly with braemii and maybe also curtisipholium as varieties).
There seems to be room for a revision of the P. tonsum complex - and the opportunity for publication for botanists! (Do you hear me, Olaf?
)
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The taxonomy is very clear. We have a species Paph. tonsum with a coloration which could be go a Little bit more greenish or brownish with all graduations between.
Then we have the officiall described forma alboviride and for me also clear the var. braemii with its smaller plant and flower, shorter petals and a narrower staminode.
In trade we found in the past then also the tradenames var. cupreum with a more brownish Flower and var. superbiens with a big Flower and curtisii-like leaves.
I don't think that it is necessary to start a Revision in this complex. In braemii different persons have different decisions about the Status, this is no Problem. The variability of the species is also normal, the differences are not so big that it would be necessary to create a new forma or Variety.
Then we have the officiall described forma alboviride and for me also clear the var. braemii with its smaller plant and flower, shorter petals and a narrower staminode.
In trade we found in the past then also the tradenames var. cupreum with a more brownish Flower and var. superbiens with a big Flower and curtisii-like leaves.
I don't think that it is necessary to start a Revision in this complex. In braemii different persons have different decisions about the Status, this is no Problem. The variability of the species is also normal, the differences are not so big that it would be necessary to create a new forma or Variety.
Thank you, Olaf - lucidly clear!
I love this flower. Where might one come by this tonsum? Amazingly well spotted and just all around glow.
