SCIENCE IN ACTION:
The Plant Problem
| The Problem |
While the flies represent one problem we are trying to solve, their host plants represent another. The "rainforest cucumbers" on which the flies live are also the focus of current research. The names we use to describe the plants are not the names they are always called. This problem is a problem of taxonomy, the naming and classification of these plants. The problem with the proper identification of these plants is being researched currently, but while it is all being settled, we are going to continue to use the names that we have been, so as to not get confused about what plant we are talking about. |
Examples
Different names, same plant?
| G. eriantha | G. speciosa | G. eriantha |
Photo by M. Condon (Condon ECJS # 140) |
Photo by Amanda Neill (Neill specimen 3331) |
get peru pic from matt lewis |
Same name, different plants?
| G. bignoniacea-a | G. bignoniacea-b |
Photos by M. Condon (Condon FG # 22 ) |
Photo by M. Condon (Condon FG # 123 ) |
Different names, same plant?
| G. bignoniacea-b | G. ulei |
Photo by M. Condon (Condon FG # 123 ) |
Photo by Amanda Neill (Neill specimen 3315) |
Same names, same plant?
| G. bignoniacea-a | G. bignoniacea |
Photos by M. Condon (Condon FG # 22 ) |
Photos by Amanda Neill (Neill specimen 3305) |
Same plant, different colors?
| G. bignoniacea-a (Condon FG # 22) vs G. "yellow flower" (Condon FG #117) |
Photos by M. Condon |
Different leaf shapes on the same individual shows leaves may not be a reliable taxonomic indicator
| G. "yellow flower" |
Photo by M Condon (Condon FG # 82) clearly shows entire leaves and tri-lobed leaves on the same stem |
Different names, same plant?
| G. acuminata | G. pachypoda | G. ulei |
Photo by M. Condon (Bol 06 #27) |
Photo by J. P. Janovec (Janovec 2170) |
Photo by Amanda Neill (Neill specimen 3315) |
For more information regarding this problem, and to see some more of the plants, visit:
The Andes to Amazon Botany Research Project