Hi Mr. Allen,
Nice plants indeed! It's great to hear from you again.
I myself believe that the
Byblis paradox has much to be discovered yet. Such is the case with my cultivar
Byblis 'Goliath'...
My research and documentation pertaining to this delightful plant can be found here on my FCPS site; 'The Byblis Chronicles"
www.floridacarnivorousplantsociety.org/thebyblischronicles.htmMy theorem is as follows;
1) B. guehoi, B. aquatica, B. lamellata, B. rorida and B. filifolia are indeed the same plant =
Byblis 'Goliath', and of possible hybrid origin.
Dr. Jan Schlauer and myself have discussed this possibility in depth, due to distinctive shared traits of the above mentioned
proposed species.
The flowers of B. 'Goliath' do change in size and color throughout their blooming period, which could lead to one variant being mistaken as three distinctive species, if viewed 'in situ' at three or more different locations, during different phases of the inflorescence period.
Keep in mind that B. 'Goliath' will branch into multiple growth crowns, only if the plant is cut down to at least half-size. Plants damaged 'in situ' would show this branching trait, giving the plant the appearance of quote "a new species of
Byblis" with multiple growth crowns. In my proven opinion, almost half of the
Byblis species aren't deserving of separate species status and are indeed....the same plant, which is
Byblis 'Goliath'
2) B. liniflora and B. gigantea have enough distinctive growth traits and flower morphology differential to deserve separate species status, since they don't show the pulvinic appendages that B. 'Goliath' does.
Although, I have produced forms as a result of selective cross-pollination amongst B. 'Goliath' clones, a plant stunningly similiar to
Byblis liniflora in flower size and overall plant size. So I'm beginning to doubt the species legitimacy of
Byblis liniflora as well.
Interestingly enough, pulvinus is
never mentioned or
published/documented in any of Allen Lowrie's descriptions of the genus. The official description of the pulvinic appendages within the genus
Byblis and their function can be also read in the March 2009 issue of the Carnivorous Plant Newsletter.
Another thing that wasn't
officially published/documented on any variant of the genus
Byblis is the odor! ;D This anomaly can be read about as well in my documentation.
I'm interested if any of your
Byblis plants show the pulvinic traits of B. 'Goliath' and if you've successfully rooted any of them from cuttings.
If so, you may have to change quite a few name tags in your
Byblis collection.
Happy Growing,
Brian.