SITF Blog

Zootrophion-lappaceum-2023-03-18 *SITF determined this plant to be Zootrophion hypodiscus, not Zootrophion lappaceum (May 2023).
The key difference between Z. lappaceum and Z. hypodiscus is in the ratio of the width to length of the flower. Z. lappaceum is wider than it is long and Z. hypodiscus is longer than it is wide. This plant as seen in the photos is longer than wide, favoring Z. hypodiscus. The opening (window) of Z. hypodiscus is up to half the length of the flower and Z. lappaceum is less than half. The window on this flower appears to be almost exactly half the length, which also favors Z. hypodiscus. This plant matches the Key found in "Icones Pleurothallidinarum" and the drawing of Z. hypodiscus in the Systemics of Zootrophion.

Posted on Mar 18, 2023

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Gongora-fulva-2023-03-15 *SITF confirms this plant is Gongora fulva (Mar 2023).
The key characteristics are the strap-like posterior horns that extend out and then sharply turn down and are rounded at the ends, the extra hump just forward of those, the long horns, the pronounced hump just in front of them and the upturned apex of the epichile; supporting matching photos can be found in the OW, orchidroots.com and the IOSPE.

Posted on Mar 15, 2023

This was entered into a show as Gongora tricolor. The team awarded it as Gongora fulva. Several judges in the room did not think this looked correct for that species, so asked for it to be submitted f...

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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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Maxillaria-aurea-2023-03-15 *SITF confirms this plant is Maxillaria aurea (Mar 2023).
This plant is an excellent match to the description of Maxillaria aurea in Eric Christenson's unfinished Monograph on Maxillaria; matches the photo of M. aurea in Kew's Plants of the World On-line (POWO); key characteristics include the narrow and acute leaves. A major defining difference between this species and M. cordyline (Aka M. gigantea), a species often confused with M. aurea, is the apices of the petals, which are clawed in M. aurea (as described in the IOSPE). Note: No lectotype was selected, although there appears to be two of the type collection that may be different species in Eric's book.

Posted on Mar 15, 2023

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Coelogyne-mossiae-2023-03-14 *SITF has determined this plant is not Coelogyne mossiae, but most likely is a hybrid, possibly Coelogyne Unchained Melody (Mar 2023).
Over many years there has been a series of mistaken identities which mixed up Coelogyne mossiae with several other species. Based on the description and photo in an article in Researchgate, "The True Coelogyne mossiae" by Schuiteman and Perry, this plant does not match the true C. mossiae. C. mossiae should have relatively short, broad leaves; Christenson pointed out in 2008, plants of the hybrid C. Unchained Melody (C. cristata x C. flaccida) were often mistakenly labeled as C. mossiae or C. grandulosa. According to the Schuiteman-Perry article, this hybrid has much larger, floppier flowers than C. mossiae with three deeply fringed keels on the lip. C. mossiae plants grow in a near alpine environment as stunted, hard plants with broad, petiolate, rather sharply pointed leaves. The photo in the IOSPE matches the true C. mossiae, which may be relatively rare in cultivation.

Posted on Mar 14, 2023

Plant was obtained at an orchid society auction; origin of plant unknown. Flower fragrance is akin to a locker room or dirty socks, but a little more pleasant.

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CHALLENGE-Rlc-Raspberry-Parfait-2023-03-14
The two cultivars, Rlc Raspberry Parfait 'Chadwick' and Rlc. Raspberry Parfait 'Lorraine McLellan' appear to be nearly identical and so they are probably the same cultivar. It would be difficult at this point to know which actually came first from many years ago, whether from the Chadwick collection or Carter & Holmes. The decision has been made that the best solution to this Challenge is to add a statement to each of the awarded cultivars that "the two cultivars are nearly identical, so they are likely the same" and to leave both awards in the records.

Posted on Mar 14, 2023

This is a challenge to a recently awarded Rlc. Raspberry Parfait awarded as 'Chadwick'. This is not a challenge to the Raspberry Parfait grex, but that it is the same cultivar as the previously A...

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Mediocalcar-pygmaeum-2023-03-11 *SITF has determined this plant to be Mediocalcar decoratum, not Mediocalcar pygmaeum (Jul 2023).
M. pygmaeum has two small leaves and well separated pseudobulbs. This plant has some pseudobulbs with four leaves and pseudobulbs not well separated. The flowers on M. pygmaeum are smaller and form a narrow tube compared to other species; these flowers are not tubelike as shown in the illustratons. This plant closely matches the photo of M. decoratum in the Kew's POWO. Images on the Orchids of New Guinea website shows M. pygmaeum to be a smaller plant with widely spaced bifoliate pseudobulbs and leaves held opposite each other, unlike this plant. The flower size of this plant is also a match to M. decoratum.

Posted on Mar 11, 2023

Vendor/origin of plant unknows at this time; have asked thh Exhibitor for information, and will advise SITF if available.

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