Finding
A key discriminator for D. vexillarius is the three-winged ovary that can be clearly seen in this plant. The award description indicates this plant is an intervarietal cross between var. microblepharum and var. retroflexum; therefore it is confirmed without a subspecies designation; however, this plant does display the color form of var. microblepharum. This plant closely matches the photo by Ed de Vogel and the Orchids of New Guinea website as shown in the IOSPE.
Overall Length Of Growth Cane: to 24 cm
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 9
Leaf Length: 6.3 cm
Leaf Width: 0.8 cm
Leaf Margin: entire
Leaf Shape: linear lanceolate
Leaf Petiole Length: 2.3 cm
Pseudobulb Length: to 15 cm
Pseudobulb Width: 0.3 cm
Pseudobulb Margin: shape cylindrical
Pseudobulb Distance: caespitose
Pseudobulb Root Tip: not visible
Inflorescence Overall Length: 5.0 cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: alternating but presenting like a loose umbel
Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 2.2 cm
Inflorescence Dist Bet Flowers: to 0.5 cm
Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 2.0 cm
Floral Bracts Length: 1.0 cm
Floral Bracts Width: 0.5 cm
Ovary Length: 2.0
Ovary Width: 0.3
Ovary Shape: triangular; three distinct wings
Ovary Color: bright indigo to black
Ovary Texture: smooth
Flower Natural Spread Length: 3.5 cm
Flower Natural Spread Width: 2.1 cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 1.2 cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 0.8 cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 2.3 cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 1.4 cm
Petals Length: 1.5 cm
Petals Width: o.5 cm
Judging Center: Northeast
Award Number: 20245014
Award Date: March 01, 2024
Awarded As: Dendrobium vexillarius 'Purple Flame' CHM/AOS
Twenty-one flowers of unique color on eight inflorescences to 5.0 cm borne on a 22 cm tall by 30 cm wide plant consisting of seven mature distichous pseudobulbs grown in moss in a small mammal skull; leaves clasping, lanceolate, acute, green suffused red; sepals and petals pale cream suffused translucent orange-pink distal half, flushed light indigo basally; lateral sepals fused at base forming a mentum to surround spur of lip; lip deep indigo-violet, orange apically; column adnate to lateral sepals, dark black-blue; ovary dark violet, near black proximally; anther cap deep purple; substance firm; texture crystalline; awarded as a new and unusual color form of this variable New Guinea species which displays cerulean hues in many segments.
