Finding
*SITF confirms this plant is Acianthera aphthosa (Mar 2023). Plants of the World On-line (POWO) accepts this species as Acianthera aphthosa; this plant was identified as Acianthera aphthosa by Carlyle Luer MD, a noted taxonomist; the unique putrid odor agrees with the description; the plant matches the drawing and description in Selbyana and matches numerous images in orchidroots and the OW.
Inflorescence Overall Length: 1.5cm
Ovary Length: 1cm
Ovary Width: 0.3cm
Ovary Shape: terete
Ovary Color: chartreuse
Ovary Texture: ribbed longitudinally
Flower Natural Spread Length: 0.9cm
Flower Natural Spread Width: 1.0cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 1.1cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 0.5cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 1.1cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 0.5cm
Petals Length: 0.4cm
Petals Width: 0.2cm
Judging Center: Great Plains Judging Center
Award Number: 20233556
Award Date: February 18, 2023
Awarded As: CHM
Eighteen cupped, fleshy flowers on five inflorescences up to 1.5cm long; sepals yellow, dorsal sepal blushed burgundy with raised burgundy spots distal one-half, three darker yellow veins, oblanceolate, sharply pointed, and concave; lateral sepals burgundy with raised burgundy spots distal two-thirds, elliptic and somewhat sharply pointed, oblique, constricted near the middle on the lower margin; sepals pubescent on reverse; petals appressed, pale yellow, midrib maroon, obliquely spathulate to elliptic-lanceolate, rounded tips; lip hinged, dark burgundy, obscurely 3-lobed with erect lateral lobes, a broadly rounded apex, and a thick, 2-ridged callus with the ridges separated by a central furrow; column winged bright yellow blushed maroon on superior surface, anther cap yellow; ovary 0.3cm wide x 1.0cm long, chartreuse, ribbed longitudinally; substance very thick; texture crystalline; extremely putrid odor noted; species from S/SE Brazil; commended for darker, richer color than previous awards; ID by Carlyle Luer MD on 01/24/2009.
