Finding
SITF confirms this plant is Habenaria macroceratitis (Sep 2023). Confirmation is based on the description in McVaugh's 1985 "Flora Novo-Galiciana" (Vol. 160) which delineates the difference between this species and H. quinqueseta. The key characteristic is the difference between the upper and lower lobes of the petals with H. macroceratitis being greater than H. quinqueseta in the lower lobe, as seen in this plant. Also, this plant matches the description and key in Brown's 2002 "Wild Orchids of Florida". It is close match to Subrahmanyam's photo in the IOSPE and photos in the orchidroots.com.
Overall Length Of Growth Cane: 69.2 cm
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 9
Leaf Length: 14 cm
Leaf Width: 4 cm
Leaf Margin: entire
Leaf Shape: lanceolate
Inflorescence Overall Length: 69.2 cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: erect, spiral
Floral Bracts Length: 6.7 cm
Floral Bracts Width: 2 cm
Ovary Length: 4.0 cm
Ovary Width: 0.3 diameter
Ovary Shape: ribbed
Ovary Color: light green, ribs darker green
Ovary Texture: glabrous
Flower Natural Spread Length: 4.3 cm
Flower Natural Spread Width: 5.2 cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 1.3 cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 1.2 cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 1.7 cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 0.5 cm
Petals Length: 0.3 cm
Petals Width: 4.2 cm, both lobes
Judging Center: Atlanta
Award Number: 20232100
Award Date: September 02, 2023
Ten flowers and four buds spirally arranged on a 69.2 cm staked racemose inflorescence; 22 cm diameter plant grown in a 12 cm diameter pot in terrestrial mix; leaves lanceolate to 14 cm long by 4 cm wide basally clasped to raceme; dorsal sepal ovate, cupped, light green ribbed darker green; lateral sepals linear, reflexed, light green; petals broadly 2-parted, linear, upper portion falcate and appressed along dorsal sepal margin, lower portion curved, white; lip tri-lobed, linear, white, nectary 13.5 cm long, white, suffused light green; column white, two basal appendages tipped light green, anther cap light brown; ovary 4 cm long, white ribbed green; substance firm; texture glossy; pleasantly scented; native to Florida south to northern South America
