Re: [Aroid-l] The Myth and the Truth About Alocasia Amazonica By

From: "Marek Argent" <abri1973 at wp.pl> on 2009.11.17 at 03:20:32 Both A. lowii and A. watsoniana are currently regarded as varieries (or cultivars?) of A. longiloba, at least the IAS page says so: http://www.aroid.org/genera/speciespage.php?genus=3Dalocasia&species=3Dlongiloba   Photos of A. sanderiana you can see here (page created in 1995): http://www.aroid.org/gallery/kozminski/Alocasia/sanderiana.php   Marek     ----- Original Message ----- From: ExoticRainforest To: Discussion of aroids Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 6:53 PM Subject: [Aroid-l] The Myth and the Truth About Alocasia Amazonica By JohnBanta]] The myth just got worse! I was digging to learn more about the parents and found both Alocasia watsoniana Hort. and Alocasia sanderiana Hort. are horticultural names according to the International Plant Names Index!  I know Alocasia watsoniana is truly Alocasia longiloba but what is sanderiana? Steve -------- Original Message -------- Subject: The Myth and the Truth About Alocasia Amazonica By John Banta] Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:54:50 -0600 From: ExoticRainforest <Steve@ExoticRainforest.com> Reply-To: Steve@ExoticRainforest.com To: Discussion of aroids <aroid-l@gizmoworks.com> Below are the facts about the origination of Alocasia Amazonica as related by long time International Aroid Society member John Banta.  For those that are not unacquainted with the names in John's information these are some of the original founders of the IAS.  John is considered somewhat "legendary" as a grower and has often been lovingly known as "The Banta".  In addition, although not mentioned in John's piece, both John and I want to credit Julius Boos for his input.  Julius has tried for years to correct the misconceptions about this plant.  If there is a living legendary figure in the IAS other than John it would be Julius! I now realize as a result of the help of many of you what we know as Alocasia Amazonica is likely a variety of hybrid plants, not necessarily the original as John describes.  Some have a velvet appearance while others do not so different parents must be involved. Still, I can't figure out why the plant is credited to Edouard F Andr=E9 on the National Botanic Garden of Belgium website.  Someone in Europe that can has access to their records is going to have to explain that part. Steve www.ExoticRainforest.com The Myth and the Truth About Alocasia Amazonica By John Banta I guess that it is just another burden that old men must endure. We see facts known to us as true replaced  by logical myths. Unfortunately, Monroe Birdsey, Bob See and Ralph Davis whom all knew Salvadore  Mauro, a great plantsman are all dead. I was fortunate enough to have visited Sam=92s nursery with Monroe. The visit was a result of my questioning Monroe why in the world an Asiatic genus, Alocasia, was given the name, =91Amazonica=92?  Monroe=92s skill in teaching is illustrated by his response. He made a phone call and then insisted that I accompany him to a friend=92s nursery. We drove out to near the Miami airport. Sam lived  on about a quarter acre lot just off  36th  Street.  Behind his small house was a large (about 20X30 foot cement block  enclosure  roofed  over with snow fencing. ( for those of you who have never lived in snow country; snow  fencing is about 4 feet tall and composed of 1 inch wide wooden slats woven  together with 14 gauge galvanized wire leaving about  a 1 inch gap between the slats.) His growing area was magical, the cement blocks were covered with algae, moss and ferns and the benches crowded with beautifully grown foliage plants such as Homalomena wallisi =91 Mauro=92 that he introduced in the 1950's. Sam was killed in an automobile accident while at work as a postman on one  of the three wheeled  motor bikes used back in those days. Well, back to our story. As we approached a bench  of Alocasias I asked Sam how Alocasia amazonica got it=92s name. He answered ,=94 I guess it could have been named for a nursery!=94 I asked who made the hybrid?  Sam and Monroe had a good laugh at my expense. I had not noticed the small sign as we entered; =91Amazon Nursery=92 I asked what the parents were.  Sam=92s smile quickly darkened. He was upset that it was erroneously reported to be A. sanderiana X a. lowii whereas it was in reality A. sanderiana X watsoniana. Years later I remade the hybrid as Sam suggested I should to verify the parents. All of the seedlings came up as easily identified as A. =93Amazonica=94.  I believe without a doubt that the true origin of Alocasia Amazonica was in Sam=92s nursery in the 1950's.  I only wish that some of our departed plantsmen were still around for more reasons than to vouch  for Sam=92s accomplishments. _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l Nie znaleziono virusa w tej wiadomosci przychodzacej. Sprawdzone przez AVG - www.avg.com Wersja: 8.5.425 / Baza danych wirus=F3w: 270.14.67/2505 - Data wydania: 11/15/09 19:50:00 ------=_NextPart_000_02C7_01CA673D.4D5B5E60----===============2755048113517554050==

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