We need Identifiers!
The problem with this project is simply that these are cultivated species. There is no field guide. There are no handy ways of getting an identification. Horticulturalists develop new cultivars, promote and sell them, and when the licencing expires they are forgotten - unless they were a major horticultural success - such as Safari Sunset (Leucadendron) and High Gold (Leucospermum).
We desperately need keen growers to help us with identifications. Ideally they should be identified to cultivar, but iNaturalist deals with species, and in many cases hybrids: but not cultivars. Thus cultivar names need to be added to the Comment Box beneath the Identification as a species or hybrid.
If identifying species is tricky, then cultivars are even more so: they are more similar, very similar to the parents, and far more numerous than species.
Furthermore, iNaturalist dumps them as casual - and does not even differentiate between those that have no names, those with a vague identification, and those that have been verified.
Quite a challenge.
If you know your cutlivars and are keen to help identify and see what Cape Proteas are turning on and wowing people around the world, then please tell us. We would love your help.
tonyrebelo,
July 16, 2022 11:12 PM
Comments
How can you help most? If you know a few cultivars then start here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=needs_id%2Ccasual&project_id=cape-proteas-found-across-the-world&hrank=genus&lrank=genus&place_id=any• Add the genus if appropriate.
• Different parts of the world have different cultivars, so it may help to add a continent or country.
We have updated the unknown hybrids. They can now be found here:
Leucadendron: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=any&verifiable=any&taxon_id=1428094&place_id=any
Leucospermum: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=any&verifiable=any&taxon_id=1428093&place_id=any
Protea: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=any&place_id=any&verifiable=any&taxon_id=1428092
If you want to check identified hybrids, then please see here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=any&place_id=any&verifiable=any&rank=hybrid&taxon_id=624159&without_taxon_id=1428094,1428093,1428092
If you need a quick cheatsheet to help with identification of the more common hybrid cultivars, then try this.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?rank=hybrid&place_id=any&project_id=cape-proteas-found-across-the-world&verifiable=any&view=species
• Be aware though that the icon picture may not be perfect.
• Also note that there are often several/many cultivars per hybrid. And some cultivars are derived/selected from cultivars. You are welcome to add new cultivars under the appropriate hybrid formula (or ask one of this projects curators to do so).
Breakdown: (19 July 2022)
7076 observations total
8 Research Grade (i.e. wild)
101 Needs ID - some of these probably need to be made cultivated.
6,967 Casual.
IDs to:
3,916 at species level (56%)
2,891 at genus rank (41%)
!! none at higher ranks: the project only works genus and below
If you would like to help verify identifications that are stuck above generic level you can do so here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?quality_grade=casual&verifiable=any&lrank=subtribe&taxon_id=624159&captive=true&place_id=any
(@nigelforshaw @jeremygilmore @kenneth_oberlander)
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