geophyte or not

Hannon othonna@gmail.com
Mon, 23 Feb 2015 08:56:30 PST
The idea that a broader definition of "geophyte" promotes greater interest
in the PBS mission is an interesting one. A group like PBS that addresses a
specialized topic must keep a clear focus on the main theme and its
defining characteristics. If we speak routinely about plants with corms,
tubers, bulbs or rhizomes but say that some marginal plants lacking these
structures are also geophytes, then precision and meaning are lost.

The problem with an approach that is too inclusive, one without meaningful
boundaries, is that it sets up the same dichotomy that the more "exclusive"
IBS did but without providing users any improvement on the definition or
circumscription of geophyte. It does not formally acknowledge transitional
or marginal forms in a category of their own and forces all plants to be
considered as members of one or the other group. Greater inclusivity only
exacerbates this problem.

I agree with Alberto that an alternative category like Honorable Mention
should be created for such plants. This would help avoid controversy and,
more importantly, help novice readers appreciate the fact that the natural
world can only be categorized to a certain point.

Dylan Hannon

*"The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add an
useful plant to its culture..." --**Thomas Jefferson*



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