Finding
SITF confirms this plant as Lepanthes tamaensis (Mar 2026). Identification was made with the aid of Dr. Janice Valencia Duarte who verified this species by letter and also based on a matching photo in the IOSPE. The species appears variable in color. This is a good match to the type drawing by Ernesto Foldats. The fine hairs on the lip can be seen in some of the photos.
Overall Length Of Growth Cane: 3.5cm by 0.7cm
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 1
Leaf Length: 1.9cm
Leaf Width: 0.7cm
Leaf Margin: entire
Leaf Shape: elliptic
Leaf Petiole Length: petiole length (apex of pseudobulb or stem to leaf base proper): 2 cm
Pseudobulb Length: 3.5cm
Pseudobulb Width: diameter: 0.1cm
Pseudobulb Margin: shape: knocked
Pseudobulb Distance: 0.2cm
Pseudobulb Root Tip: light green
Inflorescence Overall Length: 3.3cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: sequential
Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 1.8cm
Inflorescence Dist Bet Flowers: none
Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 1.5cm
Floral Bracts Length: 0.1cm
Floral Bracts Width: 0.5cm
Ovary Length: 0.1cm
Ovary Width: 0.5cm
Ovary Shape: tubular
Ovary Color: maroon
Ovary Texture: matte
Flower Natural Spread Length: 1.3cm
Flower Natural Spread Width: 0.8cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 0.6cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 0.5cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 0.5cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 0.3cm
Petals Width: 0.15cm
Judging Center: West Palm Beach Judging Center
Award Number: 20251593
Award Date: September 17, 2025
Awarded As: CHM
Eight flowers and 14 buds on 22 upright inflorescences, well-grown on a bark slab 17 cm by 10 cm; ramicauls 3.5 cm long by 0.1 cm diameter, funnel shaped sheaths; leaves 1.9 cm long by 0.7 cm wide, elliptical, notched at apex, margins entire, light green; flowers elongate; sepals translucent yellow, veined dark yellow centrally; petals orange, suffused maroon proximally; lip maroon, dark maroon centrally, margins white; column maroon, anther cap light maroon; substance soft; texture iridescent; recognized for being large for it's type with potential for future breeding; species identified by Colombian taxonomist Janice Valencia-D, PhD. Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Profesora Asistente, Curadora de Orchidaceae-Herbario Nacional Colombiano, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Sede Bogota, email attached, reference sources Orchids, A Colombian Treasure, Pedro Ortiz Valdivieso, Carlos Uribe Velez, Da Vinci Publicidad, 2014; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXXII, Lepanthes of Colombia, Carlyle Luer, Lisa Thoerle, Missouri Botanical Gardens Press, 1986
