SITF Blog

Dresslerella-lasiocampa-Bryon-CBR-2023-03-09 *SITF has confirmed this plant as Dresslerella lasiocampa (May 2023).
This plant fits the parameters of D. lasiocampa and matches images in the IOSPE, OW, and orchidroots.com and Luer's line drawing in the IOSPE. The tubular, long, pubescent floral bract can be seen in the dissection photo. The length of the floral bract is a major characteristic that separates several of the species, whether longer or shorter than the pedicel or ovary.

Posted on Mar 9, 2023

Two interestingly weird flowers on two inflorescences; plant small growing on a piece of cork 8cm wide x 8cm long with sphagnum moss, epiphytic, caespitose, slender roots; ramicauls green, horizontal ...

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Campylocentrum-ornithorrhynchum-2023-03-09 *SITF has determined this plant to be Campylocentrum sellowii, not Campylocentrum ornithorrhynchum (Mar 2023).
Flower size and leaves are the key characteristics to this; this flower is about .25cm compared to .6cm for C. ornithorrhynchum; although the two species are quite similar in flower form and color, the differences are C. ornithorrhynchum has fewer roots per unit length of stem and the leaf section is cylindrical, about 4cm in length; in C. sellowii, the roots are many more and the leaf section is triangular, less than 3cm in length; there are practically no floral differences, except the nectary of C. sellowii is slightly more curved and the flower size is about half that of C. ornithorrhynchum. Due to the flower size and vegetation, this plant more closely matches C. sellowii than C. ornithorrhynchum. Matching photos of C. sellowii may be found in the OW and photos of C. ornithorrhynchum are found in orchidroots.com

Posted on Mar 9, 2023

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Acianthera-aphthosa-Bryon-CHM-82-Pts-2023-03-08 *SITF confirms this plant is Acianthera aphthosa (Mar 2023).
Plants of the World On-line (POWO) accepts this species as Acianthera aphthosa; this plant was identified as Acianthera aphthosa by Carlyle Luer MD, a noted taxonomist; the unique putrid odor agrees with the description; the plant matches the drawing and description in Selbyana and matches numerous images in orchidroots and the OW.

Posted on Mar 8, 2023

Eighteen cupped, fleshy flowers on five inflorescences up to 1.5cm long; sepals yellow, dorsal sepal blushed burgundy with raised burgundy spots distal one-half, three darker yellow veins, oblanceolat...

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Challenge-Cymbidium-sanderae-Emma-Menninger-2N-2023-03-03
This plant does not match the description of C. sanderae or C. parishii. This flower does not match the lip shape or pattern of the previously awarded C. sanderae. C. parishii comes from a section of the genus with indeterminate pseudobulbs that flower repeatedly from the leaf axils walking up the growth for several years. C. parishii would not have this number of flowers. It may be an unknown hybrid possibly from C. insigne. There exists significant historical confusion in this section and this may be a natural or man-made hybrid possibly involving sanderae, eburnea and/or insigne.

Posted on Mar 3, 2023

CHALLENGE This plant was awarded as Cymbidium sanderae 'Emma Menninger 2N' without proper identification by the SITF as the first Cymbidium sanderae award. The same plant of tetraploid variety was...

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Sobralia-sessilis-Winfield-CBR-2023-02-25 *SITF confirms this plant is Sobralia sessilis (Feb 2023); Identification of this well-grown plant was confirmed by the late taxonomist, Eric Christenson, based on the bold coloration and the long, unbranched stems; matches the species photo in the POWO and several of the photos in the OW. 
Identification of this well-grown plant was confirmed by the late taxonomist, Eric Christenson, based on the bold coloration and the long, unbranched stems; matches the species photo in the POWO and several of the photos in the OW. t

Posted on Feb 25, 2023

Ninety-three flowers evenly borne over a massive specimen plant 190 cm in diameter and 130 cm tall; largest growth 130 cm tall bearing ten alternating leaves with evidence of six more leaf scars, leav...

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Sobralia-sessilis-Winfield-CBR-2023-02-25 *SITF confirms this plant is Sobralia sessilis (Feb 2023); Identification of this well-grown plant was confirmed by the late taxonomist, Eric Christenson, based on the bold coloration and the long, unbranched stems; matches the species photo in the POWO and several of the photos in the OW. 
Identification of this well-grown plant was confirmed by the late taxonomist, Eric Christenson, based on the bold coloration and the long, unbranched stems; matches the species photo in the POWO and several of the photos in the OW. t

Posted on Feb 25, 2023

Ninety-three flowers evenly borne over a massive specimen plant 190 cm in diameter and 130 cm tall; largest growth 130 cm tall bearing ten alternating leaves with evidence of six more leaf scars, leav...

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Phalaenopsis-kapuasensis-2023-02-20 *SITF confirms this plant is Phalaenopsis kapuasensis (Jun 2023).
This species is related to P. rundumensis, but P. kapuasensis has shorter sepals and petals, not more than 1.7-cm long, a lip with a hairy midlobe and different shaped side lobes. The key characteristic sepatrating the two is the presense of short, thick hairs on the upper surface of the lip midlobe, which can be easily seen on this plant. This plant exhibits the denticulate bristles on the lip which are unmatched by other species as well as the odd structures at the end of the side lobes. Flower size matches the description and the flower matches the photos in the IOSPE, OW and many photos in orchidroots.com.

Posted on Feb 20, 2023

Five flowers and one bud on one 11 cm flowering inflorescence, 10 buds on a 16.5 cm inflorescence plus two emerging inflorescences; plant 36cm long x 23 cm wide in a 9 cm clear plastic pot planted in ...

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Dendrobium-luzonense-2023-02-18 *SITF confirms this plant is Dendrobium luzonense (Apr 2023).
This plant is a good match in both form and color and the distinctive markings on the lip and column on an otherwise concolor flower; plant and flower measurements closely fit the description; plant is an excellent match to the original detailed description and drawing of D. luzonense in the Taiwania Journal published in 2007; good supporting photos may be found in several sources, including the IOSPE and OW; flower color is somewhat variable.

Posted on Feb 18, 2023

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Luisia-psyche-2023-02-18 *SITF confirms that this plant is Luisia psyche (Aug 2023).
Identification is based on the sepal and petal shape of the flower, the shape of the lip and a minute bi-lobed apex with a tiny tooth in the middle. This flower is described as having an "unpleasant, cheesy odor" and the description in the IOSPE notes L. psyche has 1-2 fowl smelling flowers held close to the leaf axis. This plant matches the photo by O'Byrne in the IOSPE and other supporting photos can be found in the OW and the orchidroots.com.

Posted on Feb 18, 2023

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