P.amabilis & P.aphrodite

[felihaha]

Hi,
Actually I've always been thinking of for a very long time. Why do people want to study the evolution of plants? What's the real meaning behind it? There's another question too regarding about Phalaenopsis amabilis and aphrodite. Both are found in different locations so if they either one might be the ancestor of the other one, what is the distinct difference between them to survive in different environment. What is the difference in weather/environment between the places that can find these flowers?

P.S I'm really desperate to know the answer so please hope someone can enlighten me.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by felihaha

Hi,
Actually I've always been thinking of for a very long time. Why do people want to study the evolution of plants?

The study of plant evolution is useful for such things as having a better understanding of the relationships between different species. It also just happens to be interesting for some of us.

Originally Posted by felihaha

There's another question too regarding about Phalaenopsis amabilis and aphrodite. Both are found in different locations so if they either one might be the ancestor of the other one, what is the distinct difference between them to survive in different environment. What is the difference in weather/environment between the places that can find these flowers?

The distinguishing characteristics that differentiate Phal amabilis from Phal aphrodite are 1) geography (as yo've already noted), and 2) callus structure. P. amabilis has a 2-toothes callus while P. aphrodite has a 4-toothed callus. I've not studied the habitats of these 2 orchids enough to say much about them. I recommend reading Eric Christensen's book on Phalaenopsis titled Phalaenopsis.

[BillC]

Hi Feli, The following article may perhaps help with the answer to your question re P.amabilis and P.aphrodite:


The most important and probably the best known of the Phalaenopsis are the white ones, including P. amabilis and its variety P.amabilis var. aphrodite, which some authorities raise to species rank as P.aphrodite. In any case P.amabilis belongs to the section EUPHALAENOPSIS and is widely distributed throughout the islands of the Malaysian Archipelago and the Philippines. It has broad, bright-green fleshy leaves eight to fourteen inches long and three to five inches wide. The flowers are white, three to four inches across the petals and have a narrow labellum with extremely long-curved tendrils. Within the center of the flower, the side lobes and base of the main lobe of the labellum are yellow with spots of red. Throughout the Philippines, some 'plants of this species can be seen flowering the year around; however, the main season is from about September through February. The plants of P. amabilis var. aphrodite (P.aphrodite) are similar to those just described, though the flowers differ in the general fact that they are smaller, from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches across, and have a wider middle lobe of the labellum than does the type P.amabilis.

P. amabilis is found in the southern islands of Mindanao and Palawan and it is from this latter island that the most desirable plants are collected. These often have flowers more than four inches across the petals, an extremely narrow labellum and are known throughout the islands as var. grandiflora. The specific name amabilis means "lovely."

P. amabilis var. aphrodite is distributed generally throughout the Islands and can be found in abundance in- the mountains of southern Luzon at elevations from sea level to about two thousand feet. It is also grown extensively throughout the Islands by the Filipinos as a decorative plant. As such it is usually attached to pieces of trees or coconut husks and allowed to hang under the eaves of their homes, where they flower in abundance. The first plants of P. amabilis var, aphrodite to be sent abroad were collected by Cuming and left Manila in 1837 for England, where one plant flowered during the autumn of the same year. The varietal name aphrodite is another name for the mythological goddess Venus. Source Herbarium Digital Library

The author is indicating that aphrodite is a variety of amabilis ( although some authorities have raised it to species level ) and also that both plants grow in the same areas rather than in different places. Note that 'grandiflora' is mentioned as another variety.

Bill

[pikevi]

felihaha: That is a very interesting question.

kmarch gave you a specific answer to your question.

I don't know these two orchids nor the distribution of them but I assume they are found , geographically, far apart.

As to the question of 'Why' I think it is simply 'human curiosity'. Just curiosity, does not get funds for research so it is camouflaged as a study to find 'where we came from' or 'where we are going'.

The mainstream reason for studying evolution is genetics. If we believe that all animals and plants were produced from simple proteins ( I apologize to believers of 'intelligent design'), probably just under a Billion years, scientists would like to know why the 'life forms' on earth took to this kind of extreme variations. Genetic mutations aside, there are many reasons such as geological changes (local or global cataclysmic events), climatic changes, plate tectonics ( why Australia / galapagos have unique plants and animals),pestilence ( some viruses /bacteria could wipe out an entire species) and lately anthropology ( cultural as well as physical).

But plants have always been at the centre of evolutionary study because they are the ONLY source of energy/usable proteins for for all other animals. Plants ultimately decided what animals will live in a particular region.

I don't think we could go deep into the subject because this forum is for orchids.

I hope this helped you a little.

[felihaha]

Can P.amabilis and P.aphrodite be crossed to produce healthy fertile offspring? Up to current, these 2 are treated as different species and according to biological species concept, species that are treated differently are unable to cross and produce viable offspring.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by felihaha

Can P.amabilis and P.aphrodite be crossed to produce healthy fertile offspring?

Yes they can, and they have been. Phal Bataan (amabilis x aphrodite) was registered in 1943.

Originally Posted by felihaha

Up to current, these 2 are treated as different species and according to biological species concept, species that are treated differently are unable to cross and produce viable offspring.

That's not correct, at least not in the orchid family. Species belonging to the same genus can all be crossed with one another and species belonging to the same Alliance can be crossed successfully even though they may not be members of the same genus.

[pikevi]

Going with what BillC wrote above they certainly can be , I'd assume.