From: "Steve Lucas Exotic Rainforest" <steve at exoticrainforest.com> on 2007.02.20 at 14:57:40(15308)
If anyone has a documented photo of Philodendron
domesticum G.S. Bunting I'd love to see the plant! And I'd love to
know where this species originated.
Some of you may recall our discussion last summer regarding
"Philodendron glaucophyllum". Many were not excited to read Dr. Croat's
explanation that name is fictitious and "made-up" name for
Philodendron hastatum. I corresponded with both Dr. Croat and Dr.
Gonçalves at length regarding this Brazilian species. During my search
for information I began to run across quite a few internet notations
claiming Philodendron hastatum was "formerly known as" Philodendron
domesticum. Dr. Croat provided excellent reasoning why this is not
possible. P. hastatum was identified 112 years before P.
domesticum therefore, assuming these were the same plant, P.
hastatum would the name of preference and P. domesticum would
be the synonym. Still, many websites make a claim to the
contrary.
In my internet description of the species I included their
claims, which I still believe to be in error. In doing so I listed the
names of two websites that had made that claim. I did not attempt to claim
they were bad websites, quite the contrary, I described one as "an excellent"
website. That one was a large garden website and the other was a county
extension agent. But I've also found the claim on the USDA website and
quite a few others! Last week I received a letter from the garden
website's attorney telling me to remove my claim they were in error or face
legal action. So I removed their name. I didn't remove the facts
provided by Dr. Croat that P. hastatum is the correct name. I'm
not sure if that is all they wanted done so we'll see if I actually get sued for
claiming P. hastatum is the real name!
I cannot find much information on P.
domesticum. The photos on the internet (which cannot be verified)
appear to be a totally different species. If anyone has a verified photo
of P. domesticum I'd love to see it! I won't make the mistake of
ever saying a large corporation is in error scientifically again on my
site! Apparently that particular site recently sold to a large magazine
and it appears the new owner does not want to have their facts called into
question. But I won't change the correct name facts which appear to be
scientifically accurate either! The link to my page is
attached.
Steve Lucas
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