If indeed the story as you present it is correct, the judge was probably
just blowing hot air. The judge should talk to Harry Gallis about his
mandatory 12 hours of continuing education. (You didn't know they had to
take 12 hours of cont ed, did you? Well neither did they!!)

If the judge was merely 'pontificating' and it made no difference to the
plant in terms of an award, then that's just so much hot air that judges
often spew, much to the consternation of onlookers.

Taxonomic changes, in terms of acceptance, can be a tricky path. It
generally revolves around *who* is proposing the change and how well
respected that person is in the community of taxonomists. Goes back to where
you went to school, who you studied under, and if your major professor
agreed with you and was well liked himself. You know - Academia.

I believe the preponderance of taxonomists have accepted the genus, however
these things seem to take some time for general acceptance to settle in.
Sort of run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. Flagpole saluting seems
to be where we are right now. There was a nice article written in 'Orchids'
in the last 2-3 years stating the difference between Prosthecea and
Encyclia. I would assume that means the AOS understands the difference and
accepts it. In the meantime the AOS will take the word of whichever AOS
sanctioned taxonomist the awarded plant is sent to for identification.

Again, Harry Gallis is making these crotchety old dinosaurs take 12 hours
annually of continuing ed.

We'll see how long Harry lasts. *G*

K Barrett
I believe Marilyn Light did a nice presentation on Prosthecea for
OrchidSafari, somewhere on the archives there may be a discussion about its
differnces. http://www.geocities.com/brassia.geo/OSTA.html


"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
link.net...
My understanding is that the judge in question simply refused to
acknowledge
the category at all, for any plant. Like I said, who makes the rules?
Surely people can't just unilaterally decide for themselves?

Diana

"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:tz9wb.283607$HS4.2522027@attbi_s01...
Is that just for the award? Does the plant in question have an award
history
under Encyclia? In which case they'd probably stick with the old name.
It
would probably be listed in the AQ as a synonym. (There are getting to
be
quite a few of those these days, and it only messes with students heads.
Judges and exhibitors can sleep well at night)

K Barrett

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
hlink.net...
All,

It came to my attention recently that one of the judges at a recent
AOS
judged show refused to recognize Prosthechea as a valid
classification.

I know that reclassifications are done by taxonomists, but why do they
decide to do so, and who gets the final word about what goes where?
Who
gets to decide whether the new names are to be recognized?

Or is the whole deal a plot to mess with our heads?

Diana