between Phyllostachys vivax f. Aureocaulis and Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis? What does the "f" in the first one stand for?
I noticed that the one tagged Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' at a bamboo nursery was so much more yellow than the one in PF here. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/130404/
So of course I had to get one for pot culture no less. I may be insane.
Kell, I dont know what the f stands for. I think it's a mistake. LOL!!!
I've seen f. used before, I don't know what it means but when I've seen it previously it seemed like it was along the lines of var. and subsp, maybe it means form? I would guess those two names mean the same plant though.
The 'f' stands for forma. A forma indicates a variation which happens randomly within the species.
Karl,
What do you mean by "variation"? Is it just a difference in culm color?
I'm no expert on nomenclature, but here's what I found:
Forma: Describes sporadic variations, such as an occasional white flowered plant in a population of a normally red-flowered species. For example, Cornus florida is usually white in nature, but pink flowered plants occur naturally, being referred to as Cornus florida f. rubra.
So, I suppose that if it were a more commonly occuring varietal difference wihtin the species, it would be exactly that...a variety. But when it's only an occasional variation, it's a forma.
I suppose that vivax f. aureocaulis is a 'golden (aureo) stalked (caulis)' forma of the vivax.
Make sense to me. THANK YOU And thank you all for stating your thoughts. I appreciate the help!!
Forgive the question from a bamboo novice, but is Phyllostachys vivax Aureocaulis usually streaked or is that more of a random occurance? The golden canes with green streaking is really beautiful!
Hello Karl,
Bumping up this old thread to answer your question from last May.
We just returned from a trip to Bear Creek Nursery in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas.
The P. vivax aureocaulis is indeed streaked, and gorgeous at that!
We had to bring home a 5 gallon bucket.
:-) KM
That is beautiful, KM!
