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Have you ever wondered who is responsible for classifying orchids and other plants -
deciding where they fit in the scheme of things. That is the job of a Taxonomist. Through
the marvels of the Internet I had the opportunity to talk with our January speaker, Dr.
Guido Braem, who is, among other things, a Taxonomist.
According to Dr. Braem: The field of taxonomy should really be called taxonomy and
systematics. A taxonomist must be able to identify a plant, to determine in which order,
Family, Tribe, Subtribe, Genus and species it belongs. To do that he must be a very broadly
and well educated botanist who knows Morphology, Anatomy, Genetics, Biochemistry and is well
versed in library work, has good training as a field botanist and one hell of a memory. If
the plant cannot be identified as an already known species, the taxonomist must be able to
decide which "box" the plant fits in. For that, he needs, in addition to the above
qualifications, the ability to use an electronic microscope, count chromosomes and have a
good sense of judgement. When he has decided what the plant is the taxonomist describes the
plant and gives it a name according to the rules of International Botanical Nomenclature.
The taxonomist also has the responsibility to search for plants that are misnamed according
to these rules and if found to republish them with a valid name regardless of how famous the
person may be who has given the incorrect name and regardless of how loudly commercial
growers and amateurs may yell over the name change. A good example is Cattleya
citrina. The name was given by Lindley and is still used in the judging system etc.
of the AOS. The plant has nothing to do with Cattleya.
The Editor
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