Finding
SITF has determined this plant to be Encyclia cordigera (E. macrochila type), not Encyclia randii (Jun 2026). The lip and flower color is not correct for E. randii. Refer to Ed Merkle's post in the AOS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/americanorchidsociety/posts/10156250075344840/
American Orchid Society
Ed Merkle
"Encyclia macrochila, a species from Central and South America. Nice large, long-lasting, fragrant flowers. Originally described, but then later considered as a variety of Enc. atropurpurea. When the pink flowered Enc. species ID was corrected from atropurpurea to cordigera this species was lumped with it, then they thought it was Enc. randii, but has now gone back to original description." Kew POWO considers E. macrochila to be a synonym of E. cordigera. This flower is almost identical to the photos of E. macrochila in his AOS posting.
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 2
Leaf Length: 35cm
Leaf Width: 3.8cm
Pseudobulb Length: 6.0cm
Pseudobulb Width: 6.0cm
Inflorescence Overall Length: 61cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: branched
Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 24cm
Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 2.6cm
Ovary Length: 2.6cm
Ovary Width: .3cm
Flower Natural Spread Length: 5.0
Flower Natural Spread Width: 5.7cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 3.1cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 1.4cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 3.1cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 1.4cm
Petals Width: 1.3cm
Judging Center: FNCJC- Tampa
Award Number: 20262468
Award Date: April 22, 2026
Awarded As: AM
One hundred three pleasing flowers and fifteen bud on ten branched, upright inflorescences up to 61 cm; sepals and petals spatulate, green, apical two-thirds overlaid mahogany; sepals clawed apically; petals green, apical two-thirds overlaid mahogany; lip white, side lobes clasp column, midlobe cordate, margins lightly ruffled, proximal magenta blotch; column white, anther cap yellow; substance medium; texture matte; condition of leaves precluded a cultural award. As for the reasoning, the plant was entered as Encyclia cordigera var. randii, and it is flowering at the correct time of year for randii but we thought it had a physical appearance closer to cordigera. The cordigera semi albas usually flower in winter so it could also be a hybrid between the two.