This Months Speaker -

      President Tom Wolfe:

lives in Lutz Florida where he operates a landscaping business. He has been collecting and growing bromeliads for over 35 years. In his years in the business, he has become an expert on the best bromeliads to use in particular settings, small and large, sunny and shaded.

 

Tom has been active in the Bromeliad Guild of Tampa Bay since l966. He became President in 1969 and has served as President six times as well as most other offices. He was General Chairman of the l992 World Bromeliad Conference in Tampa and served as Chairman of the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies three times. He is a BSI master judge and has been judging shows since l979. He has served as director and Secretary of the BSI and is now completing his sixth year as President.

 

His Presentation: Bromeliads in the Landscape.

 

President Wolfe will be bringing plants to sell, so members plant sales are suspended.

Come early for the best selection of Tom’s species and hybrids.

See You

Tuesday March 2^nd 7:30 pm  

Please turn off your cell Phones.

I Thought Subgenus was a Cult, but then Dr. Bert set me straight.

 

Of course I was confusing J.R. “Bob” Dobb’s cautionary joke,“The Church of the Subgenius ”➀ with the scientific term subgenus. My confusion only lasted a second but my heart was in my throat.

Dr. Theresa Bert’s presentation is excellent. Genus Aechmea has eight subgenera each of which are worthy of study. Her presentation not only richly describes these life forms but she ties in their geographics distribution in such a way that you get a feel for how geologic history has led to isolation and species differentiation.

 I’m in awe of the study of life and Dr. Bert has a gift to communicate essential parts of that study. Surfing the internet, I’ve realized these PHD types do a lot of writing, presenting and stuff. If you get a chance to see Dr. Bert in action it will be well worth your time.

And now without further ado

Lynne Fieber’s summery of February’s meeting.

Terry Burt from Sarasota gave the February program. Terry is a devoted bromeliad enthusiast who has served as President of the Florida Council, and is also an accredited bromeliad judge. Terrybrings a keen scientific insight to her diverse lectures on bromeliads, no doubt due to her profession as a marine animal biologist. Last year you may remember her dynamic program on patterning in epiphytic bromeliads. This year Terry took us on a tour of the confused genus Aechmea, the genus that gave us the first bromeliad ever cultivated and offered commercially, A. fasciata. This genus has representatives in all bromeliad habitats except desert, including the intertidal zone, which is regularly inundated by seawater! Reminding us that plants are assigned to different genera by characters as small as petal appendages, Terry presented to us how members of the Aechmea genus do or don't appear to belong there.

On the Show and Tell Table, Nat DeLeon showed us several interesting Aechmeas to complement Terry's program. These included a black-leaved A. fasciata that gets the normal pink inflorescence, and a bigeneric cross of Aechmea and Lymania Nat called an "Aechmania". The Princes brought in a gorgeous, gargantuan, blooming specimen of Guzmania sanguinea with leaves 2 inches wide.

Antonio Arbalaez provided the raffle table, and generously donated the proceeds to the society. His selection included new favorite or rare Neoregelias "Hannibal Lecter"and "Manoa Beauty" and a rare Quesnelia edmondoi. We all envied the lucky winners of these and the rest of Antonio's plants. Numerous door prizes were offered by Nancy Steinmetz. Thanks to Ginny Lepper, Richard Brandon, Connie Johnson, Tom Nielson and Kris Green for refreshments.

Bromeliads needed:
Sharon Biddix-Maessen's students are in need of sun-tolerant bromeliads to plant an 85 foot student garden. The students have already planned out their garden and its beds, and just need the plants to finish it. This garden will teach Sharon's students lessons in science and gardening. There will be a plaque acknowledging the contributions of BSSF members. Contact Sharon if you can help: 305-255-7545.
                               

                                      Lynne A. Fieber

            

 

 

 

 

 

The invention of the word Energy is ascribed to Arisotle in the 4^th century BC. Imagine trying to have an effective and intelligent conversation without basic words like Energy. Each time you need the word – Insert paragraph of explanation. Even the bright are going to get very tired of listening to you (let alone reading).

 

My point is that vocabulary (even Jargon) vastly expands our powers of communication and comprehension. And, at the BSSF I’ve herd some really cool stuff that is just over my head because I don’t know the meaning of the words being used. Also, I ask long winded questions which are really simple questions because I don’t know the word for the idea in my mind.

 

So in the interest of making the world a better place lets build our vocabulary:

 

Binomial System: A system of nomenclature in which the name of a species consists of two parts, the first of which designates the genus.

 

Biomass: The weight of all the living organisms in a given population, area or other unit being measured.

 

Epiphytes: are plants that root and perch on other plants or nonliving objects. Plants like moss, liverworts, ferns, aroids, orchids and bromeliads among others (Note: not all of the previously mentioned plants types are epiphytes). In tropical forests up to 50% of the plant biomass is epiphytic.

 

Holoepiphytes: are “true” Epiphytes that never root in soil. This type completes its entire life cycle anchored to a host plant and receives mineral nutrients only from nonterrestrial sources. A good example being our own Spanish Moss Tillandsia usneoides.

 

Hemiepiphyte: are strictly epiphytic for one stage of their life cycle but become rooted in soil during another. A Primary Hemiepiphyte begins life as an epiphyte and later becomes rooted in soil whereas a Secondary Hemiepiphyte begins life rooted in the soil and later assumes an epiphytic life. An example of a Secondary Hemiepiphyte is the monstera in my arboreum. It started out growing in soil and wrap itself around a large palmetto. It is now 20 feet in the air and both Palmetto and Monstera are doing quit well.

 

Taxonomy:(systematics) is the science of classifying plants and animals by evaluating shared features and organizing them into a hierarchy based on these relationships. The basic taxonomic units or taxa (singular: taxon) are species. Every species is given an internationally recognized two part name (binomial) by which it is known. The first part of this name is called the Genus and the second part the Species. More closely related plants within the family, which share some general/generic features, are grouped in the same genus thus the genus/species describe the taxon generically/specifically. Unlike common names which can vary from region to region, a species' binomial name is unique and precise. The name is usually derived from Latin or Greek (or a modern word that has been Latinized). Genus names are always capitalized and species names always start with a lower case letter. Species names often are descriptive (xanthocalyx - with yellow flowers), indicate a place of origin (brasiliensis - from Brasil), or are honorific, named after the collector or other person worthy of the the honor of being immortalized in the taxonomic nomenclature (fosteriana - in honor of Mulford Foster).

 

Pitcairnioideae: This subfamily contains the most ancestral bromeliads and many resemble the grass family from which they evolved. Almost all are terrestrial and rely on an extensive root system for their moisture and nutrients. They are generally spiny leaved and dry capsules with small wingless seeds.

 

Bromelioideae: This subfamily is the most diverse containing the greatest number of genera (but the least number of species). Most species in this subfamily are epiphytic and characterized by a rosette-like form many forming a water holding tank. They generally have spiny leaves and berry like fruits containing wet seeds which are often distributed by birds and animals who consume the fruits.

 

Tillandsioideae: This subfamily contains very few genera but includes the most number of species. Most of the members of this subfamily are epiphytes. All have spineless leaves and their fruit is a dry capsule containing winged seeds which are usually dispersal by breezes. The feathery plumes also help the seed to adhere to a suitable epiphytic surface for germination. This subfamily is probably the most evolved with special adaptations for survival in very dry (xeric) conditions.

 

Skototropic Growth: is growth seeking darkness as opposed to phototropic growth which seeks light.

 

Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM): is an ecologically important adaptation of the C3 photosynthetic pathway that greatly improves water use efficiency and drought tolerance. Many plants use this, Bromeliads included.

 

Sources ➁ ➂ ➃

Light needs can range considerably between bromeliad species

By KATHY HUBER
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Garden Editor

Once rarities in the greenhouses of the wealthy, bromeliads today are available to the masses.

We may receive a single, strappy-leafed specimen as a gift. Or see a community of statuesque, urn-shaped representatives, their brilliant inflorescences carried like torches, clustered in office building lobbies.

Houstonians can grow and enjoy several of the approximately 56 bromeliad genera native to the southern United States and Central and South America. Among them are the terrestrials that grow in the ground, the saxicolous bromeliads that prefer life on rocks, and the nonparasitic epiphytes that perch on other plants.

While the pineapple may be the best-known bromeliad (Spanish moss is a close second), other genera are becoming popular. Among them:

· Neoregelia: The easy-to-grow members of this genus have spreading rosettes of strappy, color-splashed, spiny-edged leaves.

· Aechmea: This popular genus includes the statuesque "silver vase plant" with large, thick, gray-green, toothy leaves and striking flower spikes.

· Billbergia: Similar to Aechmeas, but generally less leafy and less toothy, Billbergias often have highly colorful foliage and pendent inflorescences.

· Guzmania: Colorful, smooth, straplike foliage arranged in large rosettes and red and yellow flower spikes are typical features among plants in this shade-loving genus.

· Tillandsia: Wiry-leafed Tillandsias need bright light and respond to frequent diluted fertilizer sprays. The blooms are exquisite.

· Vriesea: The smooth-leafed Vrieseas often are variegated; their many-colored flowers are carried in flat spikes.

· Dyckia: This sun-loving genus of terrestrials is characterized by its tough, curved spiny foliage and orange and yellow flower spikes.

· Canistrums: Thick, spiny-edged foliage and starlike flower clusters characterize this genus.

· Cryptanthus: These "earth star" bromeliads have rather flat rosettes of thick, aloelike leaves.

Houston Bromeliad Society member Odean Head finds that the varied growth habits, shapes, colors and markings lend bromeliads to beautiful multilevel, rainforestlike displays on the patio and in the garden. The home gardener, he says, might edge a layered bed with dish gardens of Dyckias and Cryptanthus, then add taller potted genera and, finally, create a third tier with hanging baskets of clumping or trailing bromeliads.

The ultimate air plants, the Tillandsias, can be mounted on driftwood and used in a vertical display. Actually, a large number of bromeliad genera often grown in pots, Head says, will grow on wood. You can mount multiple plants on a large piece of driftwood or single plants on smaller pieces of driftwood. When mounted, the plants will form roots and attach to the selected host. The bromeliads will continue to grow and multiply in clumps.

Several bromeliads grow well mounted to wood, lava rock or cork. Others can be grown in pots. But don't plant too deep, or your plant will be subject to rot.

Your success with extending the enjoyment of a single plant to multiples in the landscape begins with matching the light requirements of various bromeliads with that found in your garden. Light needs can range considerably between bromeliad species and cultivars, Head says.

Those bromeliads with thin, glossy, green leaves, for example, are usually found on the ground in shady forests; these retain moisture in cups formed by the rosette of leaves. In the home garden, these bromeliads grow best in shade or filtered light.

Bromeliads with thick, silvery leaves that grow in trees or at high elevations depend on the scales on their foliage to pull moisture and nutrients from the air. Give these strong light.

Most Tillandsias grow in full sun here, Head says. Some with gray foliage, however, may need some protection from rays when the summer heats up.

Except for the darker clones, most Neoregelias, Billbergias, Aechmeas, Canistrums and Cryptanthus take some strong light, including full morning sun during the summer, he adds.

Guzmannias and Vrieseas do well in lower light.

Therefore, a garden with a wide range of light conditions can accommodate a varied bromeliad collection.

Planning, Head says, will help you place your favorite bromeliad genera in the right garden spot so that the plants live up to their potential. A good start is the expert advice that will be available at the Houston Bromeliad Society's sale 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 12 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 13 at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway. Head will speak at a seminar 1-3 p.m. April 13.

Besides proper light, bromeliads are at their best with good air circulation, proper watering, humidity and protection from winter temperatures.

Bromeliads like a fair amount of water, but quick drainage is essential. Use a potting medium that drains well yet provides good plant support. Water, then allow the medium to dry before watering again.

To water bromeliads with cups formed by rosettes of leaves, first empty the old water from the cups, then hold the bromeliad under a faucet and let the water gently rain on the plant, refilling all the cups. Rainwater is ideal.

Brown leaf tips can indicate inadequate humidity.

Generally, an application of a balanced fertilizer once a month is adequate, or apply diluted doses more often. Tillandsias respond to frequent sprays of a diluted formula. Bromeliad hobbyists have found, too, that Neoregelias are most colorful with little or no nitrogen but weekly applications of a highly diluted high-phosphorus fertilizer during the growing season.

Bees pollinate bromeliads, so apply any pesticides late in the day when the bees aren't active. Scale and mealybugs are occasional pests.

Most bromeliads flower once, and the average time until bloom is 18 months. Some bromeliads can take years to bloom. However, a flower may linger for weeks, even months, depending on the variety.

And between bloom cycles -- enjoy the beautiful foliage.

After blooming, a plant will produce pups that can be detached and potted when they are one-third to one-half the size of the mother plant.

For more information, access www.BSI.org.

Last months plant was a hectia so first a word about the genus

Hechtia (subfamily Pitcairnioideae) is a genus of approximately 50 species distributed from southern Texas to Nicaragua. All but 5 are endemic to Mexico where they occur in regions with limited rainfall.➄

And Now the Answer:                       Hectia texensis

but I’ll also accept:                        Hectia scariosa

The common name is                     Texas false agave.

 

This months plant

Grows throughout Dixie. Most people don’t realize that this is a bromeliad.

This is an easy one.

 

Name that Plant!

 

Check here next month for the answer.

O Monocots, Monocots! Wherefore Art Thou...

ARTHUR C. GIBSON, MEMBG Director

Many of our readers are probably unaware of a recent revolution - or revelation - in the plant sciences. For more than 200 years, all botanists have utilized classifications in which the flowering plants, i.e., angiosperms (260,000 species), were defined as consisting of two fundamental branches, the dicotyledons and the monocotyledons. This has been a universal lesson around the globe. Both amateurs and professionals use shorthand to abbreviate these as dicots and monocots. Counting species, there are at least three times more dicots than monocots (60,000 species). With the assistance of evidence from DNA sequences, now scientists with confidence place monocots as a branch within the dicotyledons, destroying one old model that depicted two branches at the base. Don't throw your old botany books away yet, but certainly expect there to be major revisions in the upcoming generation of textbooks.

Every basic textbook discusses how to distinguish dicots from monocots using easily observed characters. Monocots have leaves with parallel principal veins, whereas prominent netted or reticulate venation typifies dicots. Stems on monocots have vascular bundles evenly distributed in a cross section, whereas dicots tend to have the vascular bundles arranged in a ring or cylinder. Monocots bear flowers with parts produced in multiples (whorls) of threes, whereas dicots generally have floral parts in multiples of fours or fives. As the name implies, the embryo of a monocot has only one cotyledon, whereas a dicotyledonous embryo almost universally has two cotyledons, rarely more. Whether the plant is sterile, in flower, or in fruit, nobody needs to be an expert to determine with reasonable certainty to which class an angiosperm belongs. If you were handed a bag of unknown flowering plants and asked sort them into two piles, using just the characters provided you probably would get an A. Of course, beware of the teacher who tries to trick you with the exceptions!

In the late 17th century, it was John Ray (1627-1705), dubbed the father of British botany, who published the first classification in which he recognized monocotyledons and dicotyledons as natural groups. The next major leap in knowledge came in 1789 when Antoine Laurent de Jussieu published a natural system of classification in which he recognized "monocotyledons" as one of three major groups of plants, and subdivided monocots into major lineages that we now recognize as families, e.g., grasses, palms, amaryllids, orchids, rushes, sedges, bromeliads, aroids, and irises. Whereas a score of the groups named by de Jussieu are still recognized as families, now the number of monocot families exceeds 100, and that may increase as little known forms are analyzed with greater sophistication.

The revolution was initiated during the early 1990s, when numerous labs were doing nucleotide sequencing of the rbcL gene from plant chloroplasts and pooled results for one grand computer analysis. Techniques for isolating and sequencing nucleic acids were becoming rapid and relatively inexpensive. For this segment of DNA, which was 1428 base pairs in length, the computer could be used to align the nucleotide sequences from species of more than 100 plant families, and then to calculate the mutation steps required to best explain the time sequence of changes in that gene's structure. The resultant DNA tree for angiosperms should reflect the overall pattern of branching of the families. The goal was to produce a phylogeny of plants, called a topology or cladogram, that shows when each branch of plants diverged.

One gene sequence cannot give perfect resolution of all branching events during evolution. Indeed, a scientific reconstruction of the branching events would be really simple if each time a lineage began to diverge there would be a mutation in the gene. That permanent alteration in the DNA could then be used to tag the starting point of each family. Unfortunately, sometimes divergence has occurred without changes in the gene; sometimes too many mutations occurred to clearly resolve the sequence of divergence; never is the information stored in one gene sequence sufficient to resolve patterns of divergence to anyone's level of total satisfaction. Hence, molecular plant biologists have worked toward an analysis utilizing sequences of several different DNA genes.

The most useful multigene analysis so far has been one published three years ago by 16 authors based on nucleotide sequences of three genes, rbcL and atpB from chloroplasts and 18s for ribosomal DNA sequences from the nucleus (Soltis et al. 2000. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 133:381-461). By analyzing the patterns of evolution for all three genes at the same time, the computer could produce an evolutionary tree having a very high degree of support. From this analysis, one conclusion was inescapable: the monocots evolved from dicotyledonous stock, not from the base of the tree, and monocots originated after several groups of dicotyledons had already evolved.

The "consensus" topology estimating the known early evolutionary branches of angiosperms is presented in the above diagram, which is a simplification from the published version in Soltis et al. (2000). What this shows, reading left to right, is that the oldest recognized branch is represented by Amborella, today found only on New Caledonia. The next distinctive branch includes the fully aquatic, widespread water lilies, the Nymphaeaceae (not including Nelumbo, the sacred lotus). The third divergence includes woody plants in the order Illiciales and Austrobaileya, and then next appears to be a fourth lineage, named the eumagnoliids, which includes the subgroup order Chloranthales and five other branches, one of which became monocots. These may not be the only early branches, but they are the ones discovered so far and fully justified with molecular data from the species examined. The origin of monocots is nested within the dicotyledons. In professional jargon, the scientist would say that there is "well-supported congruence of the tree." All gene sequence data clearly show that monocots evolved within dicots and not the reverse. So appears to end that age-old debate.

Whether using nucleotide sequences of DNA molecules or robust analyses of more traditional structural and bio-chemical features, sophisticated computer analyses tell us that we can be essentially 100% certain that ALL monocots arose as a single evolutionary lineage, i.e., monocots are "monophyletic." Theoretically this means that all 2800 monocot genera on earth today can trace their origins back to a single ancestral population. Thus probably ends another age-old debate, whether monocots evolved more than one time. The well-defined group of herbs (they lacked the ability to form wood) were evolving in the Early Cretaceous, perhaps 120 million years ago or more, although the oldest dependable monocot fossil has a date of only 100 million years.

A closer view of the origin of monocots has revealed that the oldest branch found so far is sweet flag, Acorus, which was formerly classified as an aroid (Araceae). Acorus is a rhizomatous perennial growing knee high around pond margins, common in the Midwest where I grew up. Its leaves are folded along a midvein and have no petiole. Nobody ever suspected that at this moment in time sweet flag would represent the deepest branch of monocots, i.e., with the nucleotide sequence closest to that of the ancestral monocot. Of course that may change as other Araceae and primitive-looking monocots are sequenced and analyzed. Acorus calamus L. has small bisexual flowers with six greenish yellow "petals", six stamens, and a superior ovary, whereas typical aroids have separate male and female flowers arranged in a spike (the spadix) subtended or wrapped by a leaflike bract (the spathe)..

During the 20th century, many evolutionary plant biologists speculated on what are the closest living relatives to monocots. Focus of attention was on dicots that posses any monocotyledonous features. These are, for example, certain dicot families that form flower parts in multiples of threes, many of which are in the eumagnoliids. Some dicots have scattered vascular stem bundles. The standard type of pollen grains in monocots is monosulcate, a feature that rarely appears among dicots, and the characteristic type of protein crystals in monocot phloem tissue most resembles crystalline inclusions in the Aristolochiaceae. It appears now that scientists who suggested Piperales and their similarities to Araceae were in the right neighborhood, if Acoraceae and Araceae are very near the base of monocot evolution.

Certainly this is not the final word, but DNA is becoming invaluable in resolving issues that are centuries old.➅

 

Editor’s Note: I’m currently reading Dr. Spencer Well’s “The Journey of Man, A Genetic Odyssey”. Dr. Wells uses DNA markers in the Y chromosome of men to trace population migrations back 60,000 years. Not to belittle paleontology or linguistics but even if we are currently misinterpreting DNA data it’s the future. Finally science is giving us hard facts about epochal history via DNA analysis. During my petty life span I’ve seen science and discovery explode (and I think President Jefferson said the same thing about his time).

 

The revelations discussed by Dr. Gibson are just a taste of things to come. Just wait until we can all buy a DNA tester at Wallmart for $100.00. The mind Boggles...

 

PS I know Data and Understanding are two very different things but its hard not to get excited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/

 

Florida, with over 3,800 species of native or naturalized ferns and seed plants, is the third most floristically diverse state in the United States.

 

This Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants provides a source of information useful to anyone who has the need to know the distribution of plants within the state.

 

This is a great example of what the internet should be; Useful, Elegant, Rich with Maps, Images and Facts-- Excellent search tools.

Coming In March:

 

Dues Were Due by February 29

Please look at your address label. If there is a red mark this indicated that your dues have not been received.

 

Please send membership dues to

              Moyna Prince

              11220 SW 107 Ct.,

              Miami, FL 33176

 

The 2004 Miami Orchid Show

Friday March 5^th thru Sunday March 7^th .Held on the first weekend in March at the Coconut Grove Convention Center Miami, Florida.

 

West Florida Flower, Plant & Landscape Show

March 5^th thru 7^th Sarasota Bradenton Intl Convention Ctr 8005 15th Street East Sarasota, FL 3243 Fri 1pm-9pm Sat 10am –9pm Sun 11am-4pm

 

Gardenfest Keywest

Saturday March 13^th The Key West Botanical Garden Society , a 501 c 3 organization, is holding GARDENFEST KEYWEST- A RARE, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SALE AT RARELY SEEN PRICES in order to raise money for our new 1.5 acres butterfly habitat and ADA boardwalk system in the Key West Tropical Forest.

It will be held Saturday March 13th from 830am - 4 pm at it brand new visitor center and courtyard. There will be radio and newspaper ads up and down the Keys.

We are looking for vendors to sell plants especially orchids, palms and rare natives and plant related items. We will only ask you for a donation for your space. You can set up as early as 7 am the day of the event or the day before and we will have everything locked up. We can also get you a discounted room if necessary. If you cannot make it, but would like to donate plants for our sale, we accept them too!!! Vendors will handle their own sales. We will advertise cash and carry.

For further information or to sign up, please call 305 296-1504 or email KWBGS@aol.com

 

Annual Butterfly Fest & Plant Sale

March 20 & 21 5th Annual Butterfly Fest & Plant Sale Sunken Gardens1825 4th St. N St. Petersburg, FL Sat 10-4 Sun 12-4

 

Kanapaha Spring Garden Festivel

March 20 & 21 Kanapaha Botanical Gardens 4700 Sw 58^th Dr

Gainesville, FL 32608 Sat 9-6 Sun 10-5

 

Leu Gardens Show and Sale

March 27 & 28^th 1920 N. Forrest Ave

Orlando, FL Free 407-246-2620

Sat 8-5 Sun 9-5 www.leugardens.org

 

Green Fest Plant Park

March 27 & 28^th Tampa, FL Free

 

Bromeliads needed:
Sharon Biddix-Maessen's students are in need of sun-tolerant bromeliads to plant an 85 foot student garden. The students have already planned out their garden and its beds, and just need the plants to finish it. This garden will teach Sharon's students lessons in science and gardening. There will be a plaque acknowledging the contributions of BSSF members. Contact Sharon if you can help: 305-255-7545.

Name Tags for New Members:

are available from Connie Johnson. Call her at 305-275-8595 to order yours. They are free the first time; there’s a nominal charge for replacements. Folks, please wear your name tags! It simplifies things for everyone.

 

Membership News:

Life member Bob Work has returned to his home after recovering from surgery.

 

Dean Fairchild has moved. His new address is: 1813 Hidden Pine Trail, Apopka, FL 32712. Telephone: 407-880-8525.

 

Sales Tables:

Our guest speaker will be selling plants at this meeting, so member sales will be suspended.

 

Show and Tell:

Karl Green, Nat DeLeon and Steve Correale

 

Raffle Table:

Kris and Karl Green

 

Door Prize:

Moyna Prince

 

Library:

Lynne Fieber will have the library open from 7:00pm to 7:30 pm. Please return any books and publications you’ve checked out.

 

Refreshments:

Sandy Roth will have refreshments available at the break

 

Notes from the Editor:

 

I apologize for the tardiness of February’s issue.

 

         I apologize for not siting last months article about Margret Mee. At this time I can not reconstruct where I got it but I suspect it was the Smithsonian Institution, Department of Botany.

 

 

 

 

You may reach me at Bromeliad@timewolf.net via Email or at10011 S.W. 133^rd Street Miami FL 33176 via Snail Mail.

 

 

 

Sources:

 

➀ The Church of the Subgenius is a joke. Or at least it started that way. If you are at all curious goto www.subgenius.com . But I warn you it has gotten a little scary for me since I have actually met people who think this is real. At that point this crosses over from cautionary humor to apostasy – A sin equal to murder in stature. Still there is some social commentary worthy of a good laugh and maybe even insight

 

➁The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden Website. Hosted by UCLA.

 

➂Biology by Peter H. Raven and George Johnson both of Washington University, St Louis, Missouri ( My College Text Book)

 

➃BSI Website www.bsi.org

 

➄ Dr. Theresa Bert’s abstract for the scientific seminar on bromeliad taxonomy diversity and environmental threats hosted by the BSI in 2002

Bio Diversity month. Hosted at the Colorado State University Website.

 

➅http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/MEMBGNewsletter/Volume6number1/Omonocot.html