Re: D. madagascariensis

Jan Schlauer (zxmsl01@studserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de)
Tue, 4 May 93 18:40:13 +0200

Don,
As could be expected for a potential hybrid, the differences between "hybrid"
(_D.collinsiae_) and "parent" aren't too large.
Here is what a key could look like:
Lamina elliptic-obovate, seeds fusiform (0.7-0.9 * 0.2 mm), plant normally
caulescent but sometimes apparently acaulescent by reduction, inflorescence
hooked at base, 4-12 flowered......................_D.madagascariensis_

Lamina suborbicular to obovate, seeds ovoid (0.3-0.4 * 0.15-0.2 mm), plant +/-
caulescent, inflorescence erect from base, 2-7 flowered..._D.collinsiae_

It would be best to have both species in order to be able to distinguish them
for sure. _D.collinsiae_ has slightly larger leaves and fewer and smaller
flowers than _D.madagascariensis_ (this comparison is valid only for average
sized plants; note: THERE ARE NEVER AVERAGE SIZED PLANTS IN CULTURE as a
consequence of Murphy's law for gardeners 8-)).
So it seems it is nice to grow these species but it is absolutely annoying to
ID them.

Kind regards
Jan