Phal amabilis

[naoki]

The ranwild link (in the 1st post) mentions that the ones called P. amabilis formosana from Taiwan seems to make more flowers (10-15) of smaller sizes per inflorescence than ones from Indonesia. He thinks that many of them have P. aphrodite's callus (the additional bump in the posterior side), so it should be a variety of P. aphrodite. But he has seen some with P. amabilis type callus (one in his "clump" type). The classification of "fomosana" seems to be somewhat confusing.

It's likely most of the regional variations are erased in cultivated plants (due to mixing), but it's interesting to look at the natural variation (his collection has fairly reliable source information).

 

[Rick]

The ranwild link (in the 1st post) mentions that the ones called P. amabilis formosana from Taiwan seems to make more flowers (10-15) of smaller sizes per inflorescence than ones from Indonesia. He thinks that many of them have P. aphrodite's callus (the additional bump in the posterior side), so it should be a variety of P. aphrodite. But he has seen some with P. amabilis type callus (one in his "clump" type). The classification of "fomosana" seems to be somewhat confusing.

It's likely most of the regional variations are erased in cultivated plants (due to mixing), but it's interesting to look at the natural variation (his collection has fairly reliable source information).

You might want to also check out BigLeafs discussion on separating amabilis from aphrodite. The aphrodite callus actually has 4 distinct "teeth" compared to the 2 on the overall flatter calus of amabilis. Aphrodite also has a shorter and more triangular shaped lip lobe than amabilis (but this seems to be more subjective and variable than the calus structure).

And then the geography with Taiwan being part of the range of aphrodite and not amabilis.

But given the similarities, I wouldn't be uncomfortable with the two being the same wide ranging species with lots of regional minor differences, and yes lots of possibility for either man made or natural hybridization.

Sounds like a pollinator study is in order:wink:

 

[naoki]

Rick, thanks for pointing me to the discussion in Big Leaf forum. There are quite a few informative discussion, and this is probably the one which you were referring to:

http://www.phalaenopsis.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3212

Just in case others are interested.

 

[Rick]

Yes
It seems quite a mess. Actually I just read down to the diagrams of the callus details and not down to Albert Deans work on DNA.

So the plant I have is the very contentious (var formosoma) form from Taiwan with aphrodite DNA and amabilis like callus.