CSA-Journal-2016-04

um, Cyperorchis, Floribundum and Jensoa.
That leaves the Australian species Cymbidium
canaliculatum, C. madidum and C.
suave forming a neat group of three in the
section Austrocymbidium. Based on anatomical
characters it is somewhat difficult
to exclusively define the sections. Molecular
evidence is better but the organization
is still considered provisional.
Looking back over the literature on
Cymbidium systematics, there seems to be
little agreement in the beginning of this discourse.
However the advent of molecular
approaches using DNA comparisons has
reduced the controversy considerably. It is
a powerful technique which, with sufficient
samples, can provide strong inferences. As
Mark W. Chase , an orchid systematist at
Kew Gardens, says in an informative short
video (see references): DNA systematics
can provide origins as well as relationships.
That means not only can we determine
what a species closest relatives are, but how
the “family” tree branches in deeper time.
This molecular evidence has solidified relationships
above the genus level very well.
We must assume as more information is
gathered that the small discrepancies within
the genus will be reconciled, too.
This background in names and
relationships ought to be useful for the
hobbyist. In the next part of this essay
coming in the next edition, we’ll try to draw
some insight from this naming structure for
our particular uses. See you next time.
References.
Below are listed the journal articles and the web link to their entry in a plant name database.
Some of the citations are incomplete.
Du Puy, David and Cribb, Phillip. 2007. The Genus Cymbidium. Kew Publishing, UK.
Liu, Z. J. and Chen S. C. 2006. The Genus Cymbidium in China. 82.
http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-346628
Liu, Z. J., Chen, S.C. and. Cribb, P.J. 2009. Flora of China 25: 278.
http://www.tropicos.org/Name/100352175
Liu, Z. J. and Chen, S. C. 2002. J. Wuhan Bot. Res. 20(5): 350.
http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-235493
Liu, Z. J. and Zhang, J. N. 1998 J. S. China Agric. Univ. 19(3): 115.
http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-462744
Mark Chase, Kew Gardens talking about naming and biodiversity
https://youtu.be/wT-3OeS_qdE
The Plant List, http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/about/
Yukawa, T., Miyoshi, k. and Yokoyama, J. 2002. Molecular phylogeny and character
evolution of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae). Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, Ser. B, 28,
4: 129-139
Dr. Andrew Cameron is an animal research
biologist with an amateur interest in plants. He
spends much of his spare time trying to convince
hybrid cymbidiums that Pasadena, California is a
nice place to live.
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