I'd be fascinated to see this on a Ping. The bifurcation is such that
each separate pedicel is +- equal in length? And the bifurcation does
not occur deep in the rosette, but somewhere that would be obvious to
the casual observer? Hmm.
* * Flowers
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<<< >>> Basal Rosette
>In other species, double or multiple flowers with varying degrees of
>pedicel fusion do sometimes occur as a teratological aberration or
>monstrosity.
Sure. I've seen this myself on _P.primuliflora_ and _P.pumila_. Flowers
with twice the normal number of all parts, although maybe only about
7--9 calyx lobes.
>Just a "warning" about the mysterious Perlite - on the packet that I bought
>was a health warning that the dust may be hazardous - akin to the dreaded
>Asbestos, I guess. I guess it would be prudent to make sure that you wet
>the stuff before use and take some sort of precautions...
Silica sand is the same way---you can get silicosis, some lung problem.
I use masks.
>PS: Maybe we should switch our morphological discussion to private email, I
>fear some cp subscribers are pretty annoyed by bracts, bracteoles,
>pedicels, peduncles, petioles, axes and axils, already.
Oh bah! If anyone gets some mail they don't want, the delete key is
not too far away. There is some interesting information flying around in
these notes. It is quite appropriate, especially since this group often
gets side-tracked on berserk (although entertaining) discussions of killer
bees, venomous snakes, and fish with peculiar nesting habits.
>How serious are you two about travelling to Mexico? I know of some species
>which certainly would be worth a trip. When you mentioned Oaxaca,
>immediately the Cerro Azul N of Niltepec came to my mind (know what I mean,
>Barry?)! I know some locations (and some people who know locations) of
>interest. Tell me if I can be of any help in preparing an expedition.
Well, with Mexico just about 90 km away, going to Mexico is no big
thing. But getting to _Ping_ territory, that's a different story.
I don't expect to get down there within the next year, but I'm starting
to lobby the missus on the idea. Every few years we head down to Pto.
Vallarta in Jalisco State, which is CP-poor. Last time we were there,
we started off for Colima but never made it. Next time we head down
there, I'll send a note. The Mexican CP nearest my computer terminal are
probably some _U.livida_ which would be nice to see, but that's a bit
of a trip for a single Utric.
>Another thing, how do you come along with the Mexican people? I heared they
>do not like Gringos.
In general, the Mexicans are a warm people. You show them respect, and they
will do the same. There indeed are some down there who don't love gringos
too much, and the way I've seen some US citizens, and to a lesser degree
Canadians, act down there I don't blame them ("Oh look honey, there's a
real Mexican! Give him some money so we can take his picture on a donkey.
No, not pesos, give him some *real* money, a dollar"). I speak
spanish, although certainly not fluently, and I think that helps smooth
things as well. The Canada-US-Mexico free trade agreement NAFTA is probably
not going to pass the US legislature, and this fact may stir up a whole
lot of new Mexican resentment. Maybe, maybe not.
> Is there a list available describing the various varieties of the
>differen Sarracenias? I'm to the point now in my collecting that I want
You have to hunt around for this info. Very quickly...
_S.flava ornata_---plant with lots of red veining against a green pitcher
_S.flava atropurpurea_---deep red plant
_S.flava rugelii_---green plant, red throat splotch on pitcher column
_S.flava maxima_---a rugelii coloured plant, but much bigger
These are of varying degrees of taxonomical importance. Some I think
are just colour patterns. But I think the rugelii plant is an entity of
greater botanical significance. There are other forms, like copper-lid,
all-green, etc. The ornata plant is stunning. What are the floridians
offering for sale?
B