Hi Andy,

Interesting stuff for sure, especially the picture it's starting to paint of how the group as a whole has evolved into the huge range of differing forms and habitats that are such a source of fascination.... and expenditure!

I read the Givnish paper a while back after Nick bromadams mentioned it, and just last weekend I saw Uncle Derek's summary of it on fcbs (worth a read for anyone who hasn't - titled "Bromeliaceae and its eight sub-families", under Classification/Taxonomy). And last week, in the BSI journal for Sept-Oct last year, I came across a whacking great big tree diagram showing lots of Tillandsia species pegged right back to origins for the whole family.

It sure looks like this stuff is starting to come through thick and fast. Hope the funding keeps up. I reckon detective stories like this are fascinating and maybe I am a bit mad, but I really enjoy climbing around through those whacking great big tree diagrams!

Thanks for keeping the subject up there. Cheers, Paul

I agree with Paul - thanks for the recent update, Andy.

I wonder how long it will take for the new subfamilies to be generally accepted, let alone acknowledged.
There are so many "experienced" brom growers who refuse to go with changes/reclassification from ten to twenty years ago. How many times have we heard the expression: "THEY make changes all the time, so I'm just going to stick with the original name I bought the plant as."? I've even heard comments such as: "THEY are only changing the names so THEY can receive financial grants for their research." People who say such things to me are usually sorry they did! Enough said.

Looks like you have a huge job ahead of you and others with the Hechtioideae, Andy. I admire and respect those brave and clever souls who attempt to sort it all out. I somehow doubt you will be laughing all the way to the bank, as you sweat it out over many years of hard yakka.

I have mentioned the increased number of subfamilies at society meetings, with the usual rolled or glazed eyes response from most. "Change" is a scary thing for many folk.

So to answer the question of how many have switched over to the new subfamilies? - probably very few, and definitely the minority. Most growers want to keep it plain and simple, and couldn't give a rat's 'bottom' about the nitty-gritty.

Long live the researchers and taxonomists!

K :)