Hi Alberto: I was terribly disappointed to see that the genus Oxalis was not included in the Encyclopedia. I think I know why. The only authoritative text is "The Genus Oxalis in South Africa" written by T. M. Salter in 1943. I have it. While the descriptions of the individual species are very helpful with identification, the key is extremely difficult to use, to the point of being almost useless. There has been no revision since 1943, probably because the genus is so huge it would take two lifetimes to even address it. It is unfortunate that academics tend to bite off manageable topics for theses or publications, leaving Oxalis out in the cold. I imagine that the lack of a usable key was one of the reasons Oxalis was excluded. Diana > [Original Message] > From: Alberto Castillo <ezeizabotgard@hotmail.com> > To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> > Date: 2/18/2003 8:24:46 AM > Subject: [pbs] The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs > > > Dear all: > Everybody sounds shocked by the incredible development of PBS in > such a short time. And grateful for all the time and effort that Mary Sue > has put in the endeavor. I have an additional reason for being grateful for > thanks to her I am the happy owner of a copy of this monumental work, the > Encyclopedia, a mountain of information that will take long to climb! > It was sent as a Christmas gift and arrived yesterday right in time as due > to the immense rainfall lots of Cape bulbs are sprouting since the beginning > of February say two months in advance. I have had to hurry repot as many as > possible before they all sprout. The final count gave 367 species yesterday > which is not bad (with the substantial help from two Australian friends > (Thanks guys!). Therefore the Encyclopedia will provide great help in > habitat information among many other things. Those botanical keys at the > end, ALL IN ONE SINGLE BOOK are invaluable. > I can not figure why Oxalises have been excluded. > Well, many thanks Mary Sue for both reasons. > Kind regards > Alberto > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Charla con tus amigos en línea mediante MSN Messenger: > http://messenger.yupimsn.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php --- diana chapman --- rarebulbs@earthlink.net --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.