Re: [aroid-l] Araceae of West Indies??

From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at msn.com> on 2003.11.18 at 00:24:33(10827) Dear Michael, I would think that Barbados would have a very poor endemic Aroid flora, perhaps just one or maybe two 'birds nest'- type Anthurium species IF any, but if there are any Barbadian members 'out there' I`d love to find out! There is a wet area of sink holes and small, shallow, canyon-type areas that may support one or two species, and there was a garden (the owner was/is a member) that was said to have some nice aroids, probably introduced from the other Islands, there is an article on this garden in an early issue of Aroideana. Martinique would have more endemic aroids, it has nice mountains w/ rain-forest remaining. No Urospatha spps. are recorded anywhere N. of the Venezuela/the mainland in the Lesser Antilles (the genus extends up into Central America as far as Belize), there is an outside chance of Montrichardia on Martinique, it does occur on Grenada in two crater lakes and further North. Dieffenbachia might be located on both Martinique and Barbados as introductions, as it was used in the manufacture of sugar 'way back when', and was/is also used in old beliefs, like home protection, etc. Keep your eyes open for Dracontium on Martinique, I have a reliable report of its occurrence there, it and Xanthosoma (plus other tubers) were carried as a 'journey food' by the Amerindians from the S. American mainland up the island chain as far as the Dominican Republic, much like Taro was carried across the Pacific. Good Luck! Julius +More >>Dear Michael: Martinique is by now rather well known as there is a flora published but I don't know about Barbados (I think that this island is less covered with vegetation). I have been working on the Araceae of the West Indies but making little progress owing to many other projects. I have been to Martinique and it is lovely. St. Lucia and Dominica are also pretty rich in Araceae. Tom -----Original Message----- From: RAYMOMATTLA@cs.com [mailto:RAYMOMATTLA@cs.com] Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 9:28 PM To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu Subject: [aroid-l] Araceae of West Indies?? Hi all, I would be interested in knowing the Araceae of the West Indies, preferably of Martinique and Barbados. Im sure these two islands are not that high in species, at least not the latter, but I know of several Anthurium and Monstera species occuring on Martinique, and at least one Anthurium on Barbados. Does anyone have species lists for either of the islands or has anyone been to these islands first hand to witness aroid species? Does Montrichardia or Dieffenbachia grow on either of these islands? How about Urospatha? By the way I have changed my internet service so my old email address (to those of you who knew me from mattlagem@aol.com) is no longer in service. Thanks in advance, Michael Mattlage

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