SITF Blog

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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Restrepia echo 2023-10-27 *SITF confirms this plant is Restrepia echo (Oct 2023).

This plant matches the description in Luer's Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIII. The inflated sheaths of the ramicauls are densely spotted, the flowers are borne on the back of the leaf, and the more-or-less featureless lip is proportionately short, less than half the length of the synsepal. There are closely matching photos of this species in this Icones, the OW and eight very good photos of this species in the orchidroots.com.

Posted on Oct 27, 2023

John Lees was the vendor, plant is believed to originate in Columbia. Six flowers and three buds on nine single inflorescences to 1.8cm, on a 18cm tall and 17cm wide plant, grown on a 3cm wide by 3cm ...

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Oncidium-cajamarcae-Irene-CBR-(Pr0vl)-2023-10-22 *SITF confirms that this plant is Oncidium cajamarcae (Nov 2023).

This species is characterized by branched (usually three), laxly flowered inflorescences with the flowers opening from the bottom of the branches out in more or less succession. The lip is 3-lobed with banded or blotched red to red-brown around a white callus, which is usually marbled with pale brown. These characteristics match this flower. These flowers are a little large for this species, measuring 4.5 cm across compared to 3.5 cm in the description written for the Orchid Species Bulletin by Gary Yong Gee.

Posted on Oct 22, 2023

Disregard the above award number. The correct award number is 20234916. 

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Eria-hyacinthoides-2023-10-17 *SITF has determined this plant to be Bryobium tridens, not Eria hyacinthoides (Oct 2023).

Eria hyacinthoides was moved to Bryobium hyacinthoides in 2005 and is now a synonym; however, the mentum and overall shape of the lip of this plant do not fit B. hyacinthoides. The images of this plant when enlarged show three clearly resolved crests. This feature is a key characteristic of Bryobium tridens, for which the species is named. This plant also has five veins in the leaf with an unequal, bilobed apex which fits the description of B. tridens in the IOSPE. The species is found in the Philippines and this plant is an excellent match to the description and photo of B. tridens in Cootes' "Orchids of the Philippines".

Posted on Oct 17, 2023

Was unable to dissect a flower. One inflorescence had fallen off, but was way too wilted by the time the photos were made to be handled without smearing it all over. Also did not get a ruler into th...

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Galeandra-magnicolumna-2023-10-17 *SITF confirms that this plant is Galeandra magnicolumna (Nov 2023).

The spelling of G. magnicolumna was corrected according to Kew POWO. The lip color is very light compared to most G. magnicolumna species than are shown in the available photos of this species, but can be seen. The lip hairs (trichomes) of this plant, a key characteristic, are identical to G. magnicolumna photos and match the description in the Lindleyana Vol. 10 (1995). The hairs on the underside of the column also match the drawing in the Lindleyana and can be seen back in the throat of the enlarged photos. There are thirteen closely matching photos of G. magnicolumna in the orchidroots.com.

Posted on Oct 17, 2023

Five well-presented flowers on one secondary inflorescence on a 55-cm deciduous plant grown semi-hydroponically in a 10-cm by 6-cm re-purposed plastic jam jar; sepals and petals chestnut, chartreuse m...

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Dendrobium-tipuliferum-2023-10-04 *SITF confirms this plant is Dendrobium tipuliferum (Oct 2023).

This plant and Den. tipuliferum (synonym Diplocaulobium tipuliferum) have very distinctive lip form, lip margins and markings, especially in the throat. It is an excellent match to photos in the OW, IOSPE, orchidroots, Woods, "The Dendrobiums" and Laverack et. al., "Dendrobiums and their Relatives".

Posted on Oct 4, 2023

Seven delicate, stellate flowers on seven inflorescences on a 28 growth, compact plant; immature pseudobulbs linear, two-edged, mature pseudobulbs conical to obovate, up to 21.6cm; flowers creamy whit...

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