Finding
SITF confirms this plant as Encyclia x-darieniana (Jul 2023). This plant was identified by one of the describing taxonomists, Ruben Sauleda, as definitely E. x darieniana. It matches the description and photos in the New World Orchidaceae 2019 paper "Nomenclatural Notes A New Natural Hybrid of Encyclia moebusii H. Dietr. (Orchidaceae) is Described for Cuba" by Davila, Esperon, and Sauleda. This plant fits the intermediate form between E. moebusii and E. phoenicea.
Overall Length Of Growth Cane: 29.5 cm
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: primarily unifoliate once mature; younger growths sometimes bifoliate
Leaf Length: 24.5
Leaf Width: 1.9
Leaf Margin: entire
Leaf Shape: narrow lanceolate to subulate
Leaf Petiole Length: 0
Pseudobulb Length: 5.0 cm
Pseudobulb Width: 3.0 cm
Pseudobulb Margin: ovate
Pseudobulb Distance: 0
Pseudobulb Root Tip: none visible
Inflorescence Overall Length: 75.0 cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: alternate, branched, arched
Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 45.0 cm
Inflorescence Dist Bet Flowers: 1.5 to 3.0 cm
Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 2.5 cm
Floral Bracts Length: 0.2 cm
Floral Bracts Width: 0.2 cm
Ovary Length: 0.9 cm
Ovary Width: 0.2 cm
Ovary Shape: cylindrical
Ovary Color: brown
Ovary Texture: slightly ribbed
Flower Natural Spread Length: 5.0 cm
Flower Natural Spread Width: 4.5 cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 2.6 cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 0.7 cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 2.6 cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 0.8 cm
Petals Length: 2.6 cm
Petals Width: 0.6 cm
Judging Center: Northeast
Award Number: 20235029
Award Date: July 01, 2023
Eleven stellate flowers and 2 buds on a staked, arched 75 cm inflorescence emerging from the apex of the newest mature pseudobulb on a seven ovate predominately unifoliate pseudobulb plant, narrowly lanceolate leaves to 25 cm with two emerging new growths grown in a bark mix in a 8 cm diameter plastic pot; sepals and petals, narrowly spatulate, very light chartreuse, suffused dusky raspberry pink, striated deeper dusky raspberry pink; lip spatulate, slightly folded at apex, cream, overlaid soft pink, striated fuchsia centrally and apical half, side lobes cream suffused pink, striated light fuchsia apical half; column cream, overlaid light pink apical half, anther cap fuchsia; substance medium, texture matte; recognized for pleasing overall coloration and bright, contrasting lip; native to Cuba
