Oncidium or Tolumnia?

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Well, though I am not one to usually provoke wars (key word is 'usually' ) I thought I would bring this into the spotlight. I was reading through past posts looking at pictures of Tolumnias, and I saw somebody mention that the Tolumnias should just go back to being Oncidiums, and I could tell that due to the continuous nomenclatural changes going on within the orchid world, that they were obviously tired of all the changes. Now from my standpoint (I am a 'splitter'), this change is pleasing, but for those of you who are tired of the changes, I think this was one of a few good moves by the taxonomists that actually make sense, and it deserves a little bit of praise, because of all the groups that they have split up, I think there is significant enough of difference between the groups to split them. Oncidiums grow as epiphytes in the lower canopy, while Tolumnias grow as twig epiphytes, which makes them able and need higher light levels than Onc., and a faster draining medium with a smaller tolerance to being wet. Onc. have psuedobulbs, while Tol. have 'fans' with a few to several leaves growing from a central point. An interesting fact to add, is that because Tol. grow on the outermost twigs of trees, they "live fast, die young." Meaning that they grow quickly from seeds, flower young, and then die relatively quickly as they get shaded from the growing trees. Soooo. . . . I would love to hear you input on the matters.

[littlefrog]

I don't like changing names, but I've accepted tolumnia. They are different enough. Not changing my tags back to Oncidium no matter how much you pay me.

[Zoi2]

For my 2 cents: At least the change keeps the plant culture separate. You really can't grow tolumnia like oncidium.
Joann

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by littlefrog

I don't like changing names, but I've accepted tolumnia. They are different enough. Not changing my tags back to Oncidium no matter how much you pay me.

I agree with the constantly changing names. What I have done with my Catts is that I have written the 'current' inter-generic name on them, and then write what they used to be beneath, just so I can feel good that I am nomenclaturally correct. Now, what I think should be done for the Catt alliance is a WHOLE different story, and that is where I will really rip people to shreds! Now, when you have plants that look and grow differently, I think they should be in different genera, no matter what the DNA studies show! (Sorry to let out my steam here, but this is the most appropriate location!)

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

For my 2 cents: At least the change keeps the plant culture separate. You really can't grow tolumnia like oncidium.
Joann

YAY! Another person who sees what I see! That is what ticks me off, is when taxonomist lump together genera because of some DNA studies, when the cultural, flower, and plant form are TOTALLY different. This is the case with the Catt alliance!

[Roly0217]

I leave my old labels on. My Laelia are still laelias and my brassavolas are still brassavolas. I do agree with the splitting of Tolumians from Oncidiums because they are physically different and require different culture. Same applies to other species that are different enough to be reclassified.

[ezil]

Actually, I was glad they did change the name. I never liked "equitant oncidiums". DNA studies are extremely important, but should they really be the deciding factor? I'm obviously not a scientist.

[RobS]

I think it's good to lump. The splitters would probably never stop untill all plants have their own genus or together with some very closely related species. Habitat and culture never were of any influence to a genus only the structure of the flower was used. Already based on this the South American Laelia's were unrelated to the central American ones.

In general I think it's good to use DNA but of course it's not perfect yet.

[Oscarman]

Ok, I'm in....
Tolumnia is perfect the way it is. Like many have said they are so different from Oncidium, culturally and physically.

The changes to Cattleya have effectively obliterated the history and amazing people whose life work made wonderful advancements and discoveries with this amazing genus. The new names are an abomination for a beautiful plant.

I am not changing names and you can’t make me!

[RobS]

Well the old names are still valid so if you like them more keep them. They will just be synonyms and are still valid.

I'm just glad that the lumpers won.