Topic of conversation (x-posted rgo/abpo)

[Kye]

OK guys, heres a new thread for you all....

When you are looking for information on a plant, what information do you generally want to find and in what format.

For myself, if I am looking for information on a plant, the most common information I want is:

• History of naming (synonyms, taxonomists etc) * Reference books/journals that have information about that plant * Description of growth forms and idiosyncrasies of the species/hybrid * Photographs of the species and varietals * Taxanomic description of the type species of the plant for comparison to the plant which I am looking at * Flowering season in its native environment

Look forward to your views.

Cheers Kye.

[K Barrett]

Me too. But there's no substitute for a good library. Dave Gillingham sent me articles on Den speciosum that gave me great information on the varieties for this species and its habitat range. Now I know what to look for if I ever decide to buy one of these expensive orchids.

There are times I hate waiting for the computer and the different programs to boot up in order to access information. Sometimes its easier to look it up in an index or a book like Cribb's checklist to Madagascar species.

Usually information available online is just the same stuff stolen from each other. But every now and then there's some good stuff available online.

K Barrett

[Kye]

Any particular online resources you would like to mention?

Cheers Kye.