We need to have historical perspective. Past events are not always apparent in present appearances.
Den Green Lantern is a cross between Den Dawn Maree and Dendrobium cruentum. There is a lot of variation within the Den cruentum species and the many early cultivars of Dawn Maree. There are cruentums which are creamy white with varying amounts of red in the lip, ranging from red slivers to full red lips. Some cruentums also have some green in the petals. A number of the early crosses of Green Lantern (which is formosum x cruentum) had green markings or veining. When these Dawn Marees were crossed back to cruentums with green veins, the resulting hybrid also had very light green petals or green markings, hence the name.
Later improved versions of the Green Lantern have a larger redder lip and a better blooming habit which allows much more flower production. While this improved the quality of the flowers and blooms, ironically, the flowers of the later versions have become whiter and lost the green which originally suggested the name.
The name is still a nice name. And thank goodness for catalog photos which show us what we are buying.
Last edited by catwalker808; 09-09-2009 at 04:36 AM..
|
Linear Mode
