SITF Blog

Maxillaria-bicentenaria-2023-12-31 *SITF confirms that this plant is Maxillaria bicentenaria (Jan 2024).

This plant matches the description and photos of M. bicentenaria species in the Novataxa paper: "Species New to Science" novataxa.blogspot.com/2021/09/maxillaria-bicentenaria.html. The species is similar to M. pyhalae, but differs in the shape of the lip, callus and a keel-shaped ridge towards the top of the anther. There is an excellent article in Researchgate, "An Homage to Peru's Bicentenary Maxillaria bicentenaria orchidaceae, A New Species previously misidentified as M. pyhalae". This article has excellent photos, drawings and descriptions comparing and contrasting the two species.

Posted on Dec 31, 2023

Daniel Piedrahita, Country of origin Peru, previous identification provided by Kew Gardens. Pending SITF identification 66cm total length, upright climbing rhizome, one inflorescence per bulb, flower ...

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Maxillaria-crispiloba-2023-12-31 *SITF confirms that this plant is Maxillaria crispiloba (Jan 2024).

The species is recognized by Kew POWO with a front and side view of the flower which matches this plant; this species is very distinctive in form, color and crisping in the lip and does not match other species in its group. The name refers to the conspicuous crisping of the lip midlobe. The extent of crisping of the species is extremely variable. There is an excellent match of this flower to the photo in the IOSPE.

Posted on Dec 31, 2023

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Maxallaria-sanguinoleta-2023-12-17 *SITF has determined this plant to be Maxillaria meleagris, not Maxillaria sanguinolenta (Dec 2023). 

This plant is an excellent match to the photo of M. meleagris in the POWO. Maxillaria sanguinolenta produces intermediate growths that flower from the leaf axils in flushes of small flowers, different from this plant, which is a match for M. meleagris in Eric Christenson's unfinished Monograph on Maxillaria. Supporting photos of Maxillaria meleagris can also be found in orchidroots.com and the OW. There is an excellent photo of M. meleagris in the IOSPE.

Posted on Dec 17, 2023

The genus and species name is misspelled; it should be Maxillaria sanguinolenta, not Maxallaria sanguinoleta (SITF).

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Maxillaria-oakes-amesiana-2023-10-31 *SITF confirms that this plant is Maxillaria oakes-amesiana (Nov 2023).

The white flowers and distinct chains of spindle-shaped pseudobulbs topped with clusters of minute falcate, "pine needle-like" leaves are an excellent match to the description and type drawing. This is a good match to the photo shown as the synonym Pityphyllum amesianum in the IOSPE.

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

cloud forest species from Colombia Julie Jordan rare, unusual pine tree like growth, looks like a club moss The Marie Selby Gardens 2008

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Maxillaria-cucullata-2023-09-29 *SITF confirms this plant is Maxillaria cucullata (Dec 2023).

The form of this flower is a good fit to Maxillaria cucullata. The Feb-Mar 2018 Australian Orchid Review article on Maxillaria by David Banks shows photos of this species which match this plant. The article states M. cucullata is a highly variable species with a degree of darker markings ranging from fine pepper spotting to larger spots. The lip can vary from tan to dark brown to almost black. These flowers had dark spots on the sepals and petals with a dark brown lip. Flower size can vary from 4 to 9 cm; this flower measured 4.5 cm N.S. This plant has large, cupped bracts slightly longer than the ovaries and which partially cover the basal portion of the flower which fits the description of M. cucullata in Eric Christenson's Unfinished Monograph on Maxillaria; however, Christenson also stated that the species had no markings on the flowers.

Posted on Sep 29, 2023

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Maxillaria-tenuifolia-2023-07-24 *SITF confirms that this plant is Maxillaria tenuifolia (Aug 2023).

This plant appears to be a large, very vigorous growing Maxillaria tenuifolia. The hybrid Max. Maui Coconut (M. tenuifolia x M. sanguinea) was considered; however, M. tenuifolia is much larger than M. sanguinea, which has smaller, thinner leaves. The hybrid is also smaller than M. tenuifolia and this plant. It's possible this plant could be line bred to produce larger flowers with better substance and may possibily even be polyploid and still within the variability of M. tenuifolia.

Posted on Jul 24, 2023

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Maxillaria-funicaulis-Jasen-CBR/AOS-2023-06-22 *SITF has determined this plant to be Maxillaria xanthorhoda, not Maxillaria funicaulis (Oct 2023).

The growth habit of this plant matches the drawing and description of M. xanthorhoda. There is some disagreement in the literature concerning the leaf length of this species; however, the original taxonomic description of M. xanthorhoda by Schlecter in 1918 describes the leaf length as 11.5 cm. This plant has a closely matching leaf length of 11 cm. There are minute cilia along the margin of the basal portion of the lip and it is finely papilose on the apical margin of the lip. The flowers always come from the bases of the new growths as does this plant. This Maxillaria group is unclear and complex and should have more taxonomic research to clarify the species. Photos in the literature are confusing; some probably incorrect and may be M. procurrens Lindl. and not M. xanthorhoda.

Posted on Jun 22, 2023

Plant was obtained from a grower in Eureka CA. Origins South America.

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Maxillaria-pachyphylla-2023-04-21 *SITF confirms this plant as Maxillaria pachyphylla (May 2023).

Although this plant does not match the photo in Kew's POWO, which shows flattened, ovate pseudobulbs, this plant does match the photo and description of M. pachyphylla in Eric Christenson's unpublished Monograph showing round, elongate pseudobulbs with solitary, rigid, fleshy leaves and large, sessile flowers. The lip is distinctive appearing wider and not pandurate, as seen in the similar species, M. parahybunensis. Supporting photos can be seen in the IOSPE and closely matching plant and flower images in the OW.

Posted on Apr 21, 2023

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Maxillaria-estradae-2023-03-15 *SITF confirms this plant is Maxillaria estradae (Mar 2023).

This plant matches the description and photos in Eric Christenson's Monograph on Maxillaria and the drawing by Dodson in the IOSPE; M. estradae is separated from other species, especially M. acervata, by bifilaire pseudobulbs subtended by foliaceous bracts and a conspicuously globose callus apex; M. acervata also does not have stripes, as does the sepals and petals of this plant and M. estradae; matches photos in the IOSPE and orchidroots.

Posted on Mar 15, 2023

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