New Byblis information

[Brian Barnes]

Hello Everyone,

I am quite familiar with Lloyd's work (1942) regarding Byblis gigantea. However, I've never been too impressed with fig. 9 plate 9 which supposedly shows the sessile glands. Plus, there is no mention of pulvini appendages whatsoever. Therefore, to clear up any murkiness, please review the following photos. I've added some slight spectral enhancement, since they are smaller than a needlepoint!







And finally, one with a little alternate lighting;



Now, let's take a world-wide look at Byblis 'Goliath' and Byblis 'David' and their pulvinic appendages, from the mouths of other Byblis growers.

Greg Allen's posts from the UK, which is an entire ocean away from me. This first post documents pulvini in two proposed Byblis species, "B. guehoi" and "B. rorida".
icps.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=...amp;thread=3245

His next post documents pulvini in the proposed species B. aquatica;
icps.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=...amp;thread=3373

While we're on the subject of "B. aquatica", let's take a look at 'in situ' photos by Phil Mann, compliments of Bob Z's fantastic CP Photofinder. Pulvinus is clearly seen in the photo;
i148.photobucket.com/albums/s9/picr...l/Bamaga026.jpg

Moving right along...Cindy (from Singapore) which his half a world away from me, shows pulvinus in all of her photos of the proposed species "Byblis liniflora" also known as Byblis 'David';
icps.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=...amp;thread=3214

Now, let's look at German Byblis grower Denis Barthel's proposed "Byblis liniflora" photo. Again, other side of the globe from me;
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byb...loraHabitus.JPG

Proposed species "B. aquatica" photo from the same grower. Pulvini visible;
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byb...ticaHabitus.jpg

And proposed species "B. filifolia" once again from Denis with more pulvini;
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byblis_filifolia1.jpg

And lastly, a fairly recent post from Katie. She describes how her Byblis 'Goliath' pedicels are moving via pulvini, along with other proposed Byblis species as well;
www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36365

Whew! Now hopefully that should adequately clear up any doubts about pulvinic appendages in Byblis 'Goliath' and Byblis 'David'.

While on the subject of Byblis pulvinus, my latest results from my experiments are showing that pulvinus size could also be related to wet/dry extremes. My latest theory is that the pulvinus doesn't always just provide movement, but may also double as a water storage organ as well during dry periods. Although now I have proven that the existence of pulvini in Byblis is persistant in all proposed Byblis species (since I've always firmly believed B. gigantea and B. lamellata to be the same plant), my results are showing that the pulvini can vary in size as well, due to cultivational extremes. I firmly believe that this anomaly occurs 'in situ' as well. More results to follow soon!

The latest updates on Byblis 'Goliath' and Byblis 'David' can also be found here;

www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36365&pid=268799&st=0&#entry268799


Best Wishes,

Brian Barnes, 4/27/10.

[Brian Barnes]

Hello Friends,

Here's some interesting photos showing pedicels decending via pulvini in Byblis gigantea. Pedicels in Byblis that move via pulvini was first documented in June of 2008 with B. 'Goliath'.

And now, some photos of the pulvini after successful pollination of only one flower (to the left in photo) The flower to the right was intentionally left unpollinated.
Note swelling in pulvinus and decending pedicel on the left with ripening capsule as is with Byblis 'Goliath'.



Here's a few closer views of zones one and two;




And last of all, a decent macro of an insect!



IMPORTANT UPDATE; At last... the results are finally in regarding Byblis hybridization!

Two reputable CP enthusiasts from Germany and UK have reported their failed attempts at hybridizing the following Byblis species; Here's a quick overview of the results. Detailed summaries will soon be posted publicly on the Byblis Chronicles website.

Byblis filifolia "south of the Old Pago Mission, north of Kalumburu, in the Kimberley" X Byblis guehoi "multi-headed plants, mauve flower" Kimberley, Australia."- Results; few seed produced that appear small and stunted. Some capsules appear two be filled with only air with no seed present. Seed infertile, no germination.

Byblis guehoi "multi-headed plants, mauve flower" Kimberley, Australia." X Byblis filifolia"south of the Old Pago Mission, north of Kalumburu, in the Kimberley". Results; Same as above, but with slightly more infertile seed produced. No germination.

Byblis filifolia "south of the Old Pago Mission, north of Kalumburu, in the Kimberley" X Byblis filifolia "loc 37 Kimberley X loc 06 Northern Territory, an F1 hybrid". Results; Few infertile seed produced with zero germination.

Byblis filifolia "Gibb River, Kimberley" X Byblis aquatica "maroon plants to 15 cm tall with small purple flowers, Noonamah, N.T." Results; No seed produced whatsoever. No germination.


Byblis rorida “growing with a new Byblis species (in publication)” 80 km E of Broome" X Byblis filifolia "Gibb River, Kimberley". Resulting seed from the cross is infertile. Results; Very few, if any seed produced. No germination.


Byblis filifolia “robust plants > 25 cm tall, flowers pink 3 cm Ø, outer surface white, petal tips very ser-rate” near junction of Kalumburu-Gibb River-Derby & Gibb River-Wyndham Rds, Kimberley. X
Byblis filifolia “robust plants > 25 cm tall, flowers mixed colours of pale pink, pink & violet- mauve >3 cm Ø, outer surface white, petal tips very serrate” Gibb River-Wyndham Rd, just after Gregorys Jump-up, Kimberley, Western Australia. Results; No seed produced whatsoever. Capsules appear to be swelling but only contained air.


Another interesting note is that both growers reported that there were absolutely no sessile glands present in two different forms of B. rorida they were growing. Stay tuned for a detailed report!

Happy Growing,

Brian Barnes, 5/12/2010.

[gregallan]

Very interesting, Brian. You may be interested to note that in summer 2006, I had two adult plants of B rorida 'Taylor's Lagoon', both of which I grew from the same batch. I could not get either of them to produce seed, even though I released pollen from the flowers and crossed them.

Also, do you think that the growers will be willing to post photos of their plants? I am especially keen to see whether there is any evidence of branching in the guehoi and filifolia plants.

Finally- when are we going to see your TC B 'Goliath' with white flowers???

Cheers,

Greg

[ICPS-bob]

Also, do you think that the growers will be willing to post photos of their plants?

There are lots of photos here:
cpphotofinder.com/Byblis.html

[Brian Barnes]

Hello All,

Unfortunately, I must report that the white flowered and multi-colored occurances in Byblis 'Goliath' flowers is purely conditional and is not a stable trait. Extreme sun, heat and dryer conditions causes a bleaching effect in all Byblis flowers. This can be accomplished by sitting a plant in direct sun with no shading and withholding water for an extended period.

Thanks Bob! Indeed many Byblis grower's plants and pulvinus photos from around the world can be found at Bob Z's fantastic CP photofinder!

Stay tuned for further Byblis research updates!

Brian Barnes, 5/17/2010.

[sundewman]

Hey there Brian,
Keep up the good work! While I've been somewhat quietly observing your research over the past year, it is always an interesting read.
Happy growing,
Aaron