Finding

SITF concurs with the Challenge; this plant is determined to be Bulbophyllum hildebrandtii, not B. rubrum (Jun 2026). The image of B. hildebrandtii in the "Field Guide of Madagascar" is a very close match to this plant. The description and drawing from the Field guide shown in the Photo section is a match to this plant, including the Zig-Zag (fractiflex) rachis. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Masdevallia wuellneri (Jun 2026). This is a distinctive species. The only somewhat similar species in the section is M. filaria. The 2-apiculate petals and the lip are visible in the dissection photos. This plant is a very close fit to photos in the IOSPE and orchidroots.com and the description which has been added in the Award Description and Other Details.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Laelia eyermaniana (Jun 2026). This is a very good match to the photos in the orchidroots.com. In the book, "Cattleyas and Their Relatives, Vol 2, The Laelias" pg. 42, Withner notes that this was a presumed natural hybrid of L. autumnalis or albida and L. speciosa; however, Kew recognizes this as a species on the POWO and this plant fits the herbarium specimen found there.

Finding

The original award to Stelis mucronata 'Jardin botanique de Montréal' CBR, 20011434 as been changed to Stelis pauciflora to agree with Kew POWO (May 2026). No other action is required for this submission.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Spathoglottis hardingiana (Jun 2026). The enlarged pads on the lip and the elongated tongue-like midlobe are characteristic of this species. The pads vary from chrome yellow to white, all with violet spots. This plant is similar to the photo in the IOSPE and matches most of the photos in the orchidroots.com.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Oberonia microphylla, not O. brachystachys (May 2026). This plant was identified as O. microphylla by Dr. Daniel Geiger, the foremost authority on the Genus Oberonia. O. brachystachys has strongly dentate petals and dentate margins of lateral lobes and/or epichile lobes, while in O. microphylla they are entire to erose. The leaves of O. brachystachys are stiff, green (occasionally yellowish, but not red) and proportionally wider, habit is barely caulescent. Oberonia microphylla has pliable leaves, proportionally longer, habit is more caulescent, and leaves frequently has a reddish tinge. This plant matches this description of O. microphylla. It also matches the confirmed 2026 O. microphylla 'Curtis' AOS/CCM. The red tinged foliage and the closeup of the flower are good matches.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Encyclia rzedowskiana (note: name corrected to agree with POWO) (Jun 2026). Dr. Eric Hagsater said "Encyclia rzedowskiana can be separated from its allies by its green-yellowish tepals longitudinally speckled with brownish-purple, ovate, pleated midlobe of the lip, which is minutely apiculate, conduplicate and deflexed, and separated from the lateral lobes by obscure sinuses." This plant is also a good match to the color photographs on the POWO and the original description, which includes a drawing. The flowers are a bit larger than in the description, but within range.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Encyclia cordigera (E. macrochila type), not Encyclia randii (Jun 2026). The lip and flower color is not correct for E. randii. Refer to Ed Merkle's post in the AOS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/americanorchidsociety/posts/10156250075344840/ American Orchid Society Ed Merkle "Encyclia macrochila, a species from Central and South America. Nice large, long-lasting, fragrant flowers. Originally described, but then later considered as a variety of Enc. atropurpurea. When the pink flowered Enc. species ID was corrected from atropurpurea to cordigera this species was lumped with it, then they thought it was Enc. randii, but has now gone back to original description." Kew POWO considers E. macrochila to be a synonym of E. cordigera. This flower is almost identical to the photos of E. macrochila in his AOS posting.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Dendrobium officinale, not D. huoshanense (Jun 2026). This photo is nearly identical with the images of Dendrobium officinale in the POWO website. Dendrobium huoshanense was at one time considered a synonym of D. catenatum and D.officinale, but was separated and elevated to species status based on the broad violet band on the lip and 2-flowered inflorescences. It also matches photos in the IOSPE and orchidroots.com.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Bulbophyllum singulare (Apr 2026). Based on the description in the 1982 Australian translation of Schlecter's "Orchids of New Guinea". This species is distinguished by the almost linear dorsal sepal and petals (distinguished from B. bandischii, which is very similar, but has thread like petals with rounded tips for the osmophores). Schlecter also describes the flowers as 'slightly reddish, the dorsal sepal with longitudinal white spots, the lateral sepals tinged with white towards the front, the petals, the labellum and column yellowish.' It is an excellent match to the illustration. The broad, flaglike dorsal and the lateral sepal carriage are correct, as is the spotted column foot and general features of the lip.