SITF Blog

Restrepia-wageneri-2023-11-12 *SITF confirms that this plant is Restrepia wageneri (Dec 2023).
This plant matches Baker and Baker's description in the OW and Luer's description in the Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIII: Systematics of Restrepia. R. wageneri is allied to R. elegans and R. lansbergii, but differs in the thinly striped synsepal. It is similar to the striped form of R. trichoglossa, but the very narrow, usually fringed lip distinguishes it. The small lip on this flower is oblong and narrows in the middle; the margins appear scabrous when photos of the lip are enlarged; overall, this plant in form and color matches R. wageneri better than R. trichoglossa. Photo in orchidroots.com also closely matches this plant.

Posted on Nov 12, 2023

Acquired from Vendor: Hanging Gardens, Pacifica CA

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Brassia-wageneri-2023-11-06 SITF confirms that this plant is Brassia wageneri (Nov 2023).
Identification is based on the detailed description of the callus having two parallel, thick keels, the basal portion with a high rounded base and obliquely triangular leading edge. There are two erect oblong, obtuse-rounded teeth on the apical portion which are taller than the basal portion. These teeth appear distinctly in photos of B. wageneri found in orchidroots.com, IOSPE and OW. This plant is an excellent match to the illustration in Garay and Dunsterville, Vol. 1 of the Venezuelan Orchids Illustrated. There is also a good description of B. wageneri by Baker and Baker in the OW.

Posted on Nov 6, 2023

Judging team feels that the plant with prior CBM/AOS award (19750608) appears to be a different species.

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Appendicula-cornuta-2023-11-05 *SITF confirms that this plant is Appendicula cornuta (Nov 2023).
This plant and small flowers match the images and Baker and Baker's description in the OW, as well as the photos on POWO and the IOSPE. The distichous, overlapping leaves of this plant are descriptive and the tiny flower size, form and color are a good match to the species. There are twelve matching photos of the species flowers and plants on the orchidroots.com.

Posted on Nov 5, 2023

Refer to the attached pdf file for measurement information.

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Anathallis-sanchezii-2023-11-05 *SITF confirms that this plant is Anathallis sanchezii (Nov 2023).
This plant was identified with the help of the taxonomist, Alexander Hirtz, taxonomist of record who along with Carl Luer described the species Anathallis sanchezii. This plant matches the description of the column which is winged above the middle, denticulate at the apex with the anther, rostellum and stigma hooded and ventral. The leaves show some maroon coloration underneath. Matches photos of A. sanchezii in orchidroots.com, the IOSPE and OW. The species appears to be somewhat variable in color.

Posted on Nov 5, 2023

Refer to attached pdf file for measurement and description details

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Cyrtochilum-divaricatum-2023-11-01 * SITF has determined this plant is Cyrtochilum volubile, not C. divaricatum (Nov 2023).
This plant matches C. volubile in flower form and color, although it is a paler color. The natural spread of the flower at 3.5 (w) x 5 cm (L) matches C. volubile and a three-toothed callus in the lip which also matches Baker and Baker's description of C. volubile in the OW. Closely matching photos of C. volubile both darker and paler colors can be found in the orchidroots.com, OW, and the IOSPE.

Posted on Nov 1, 2023

Lip white on freshly opening flowers, becoming pink and aging purple. Awarded as Cyrtochilum divaricatum but according to our research might be Cyrtochilum volubile.

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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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Cyrtochilum-mendax-2023-10-31 *SITF confirms that this plant is Cyrtochilum mendax (Nov 2023).
This plant matches the description of Cyrtochilum mendax; the two purple wings near the top of the column match and the general structure of the lip and its crests are correct. This flower matches photos of C. mendax in the IOSPE, especially the photo by Harry Zelenko, which were noted to have been vetted by Dalstrom and Deburghgraeve. There appears to be some color and marking variations in the species. A drawing and description of the species by Baker and Baker can be found in the OW.

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

Colombia species Juan Saldarriaga Keels different from halteratum

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Masdevallia-medusa-2023-10-31 *SITF confirms that this plant is Masdevallia medusa (Nov 2023).
The inflorescence is triangular in cross section, which is a characteristic of M. medusa. The floral parts, reflection/revolute lateral sepals and color all match M. medusa. The most similar species is M. wuerstlei, which differs in having a more elongated inflorescence, somewhat twisted peduncles and smaller flowers. This plant matches the type drawing and photos in the IOSPE and the description by Baker and Baker and photos in the OW.

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

Colombia species Juan SaldarriagaCorrected spelling of species to M. medusa. (SITF)

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