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, leaves 8.2 cm wide by 22.5 cm long, elliptical, acuminate, sheathing, plicate: flowers borne terminally singularly or sometimes in pairs generally colored white overlaid lilac-pink; sepals lightly veined darker pink, margins pale pink, elliptical, apex reflexed; petals oblanceolate, apices reflexed to rolled, slightly darker pink than sepals, margins slightly undulate; lip tightly tubular white overlaid dark pink blushed red and orange centrally, yellow basally, distal margin ruffled, apical white central stripe; column pale yellow, small distal curled horns blushed red lateral sides of cream anther cap; ovary 0.5 cm in diameter by 3.2 cm long cream overlaid light pink distally; substance light; texture matte; significant sweet fragrance noted. ID by Eric Christenson 12-05-2003. Species from Brazil. ID confirmed by SITF______________

Dear Bryon,

Your Sobralia is without a doubt S. sessilis. This is a South American species that is more boldly colored than the various things lumped under the Central American S. decora. Most (?) S. decora produce branched growths while S. sessilis tends to produce unbranched stems about 3 feet long (depending on growing conditions). Both have short black hairs on the leaf sheaths.

At the moment, though, I am trying to finalize a manuscript on Stenorrhynchos - with at least two new species hiding within the entity we call S. speciosum. A messy business that seems to be resolving itself - finally.

All for now, Eric
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryon K. Rinke [mailto:Brinke@cox.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 6:07 PM
To: Eric Christenson
Subject: Fw: Sobralia pics
Eric:
Here are some color photos of the Sobralia species I sent to you for an ID about 1 year ago. I do not know the country of origin. I don't know if these will help you any more. Did you get the box of things I needed to have ID'd? I was mailed 10/05/2003?
Bryon