SITF Blog

Polystachya-lawrenceana-2023-01-03 *SITF confirms that this plant is Polystachya lawrenceana (Jul 2023).
This species can be recognized by the brush-cut, rectangular patch of short bristles in the lip throat. The resolution and soft focus of these photos do not produce images sharp enough to see these bristles in detail, and although they can't be resolved, they can be barely seen in one photo. A similar species, P. zambesiaca is described as having a sharply pointed midlobe apex, wheras P. lawrenceana has a broadly blunted, bilobed midlobe apex. In the description of P. zambesiaca, it is pointed out that this species is variable and there are often intermediate forms which make it difficult to draw a dividing line. In many of the available photos of either species, the lip apices may be seen that are sharply pointed or bilobed.

Posted on Jan 3, 2023

PDF versions of the forms have been attached along with the images.

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Polystachya-parva-Susan-CBR/AOS-2022-02-07 *SITF has confirmed this plant as Polystachya parva (Dec 2022); the size of the plant and presentation matches the illustration and description in la Croix's African Orchids (1997) and Williamson's Orchids of South Africa (1977); this plant matches photos and descriptions of P. parva being light green in color with large dark magenta markings at the base of the lip; SITF also has determined the older 1975 CBM award to P. parva, Award #19750047, is most likely Polystachya bennettiana; the overall color of white and orange and larger plant size matches P. bennettiana and not P. parva.*

Posted on Feb 7, 2022

Fourteen non-resupinate flowers held on three upright infloresences held above pairs of of leaves up to 3 cm long borne on 1 cm globose pseudobulbs growing on a hardwood stick; recurved dorsal sepal l...

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Polystachya-subdiphylla-2021-09-28***Confirmed as Polystachya subdiphylla (Oct 2021); matches the original Summerhayes description in the 1942 Botanical Museum Leaflets; characteristics include well-developed sheaths with articulation well removed from the apex of the pseudobulbs and dried sheath bases that remain attached when the blades are shed; an abbreviated rachis with a long peduncle containing only three or four white flowers with red-marked lips; this plant also matches the description in Cribb's Flora of Tropical East Africa.***

Posted on Sep 28, 2021

Origin or plant: Tanzania

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Polystachya-cultriformis-Vanderlip-CHM-83-Pts-2021-01-26***Confirmed as Polystachya cultriformis (July 2021); the key to Polystachya in the book, "Wild Orchids of Southern Africa" by Joyce Stewart. et. al. keys this to Polystachya cultriformis; it also fits Isobyl's description and photos in "African Orchids in the Wild and in Cultivation"; it has slightly wavy leaf margins with conical pseudobulbs tapering towards the apex; size and color are variable; the major characteristic in the key is that P. cultriformis is the only species in the Genus with a single leaf on each pseudobulb as does this plant. ***

Posted on Jan 26, 2021

Ninety-two cupped flowers and 64 buds on nine multiple branching, semi-pendulous inflorescences, 2 developing inflorescences, longest inflorescence 24cm long; sepal and petals cream-colored, margins v...

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Polystachya coriscensis

Posted on Jan 10, 2014

Polystachya coriscensis Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburg.: 112 (1881). this name is acceptedDendrorkis coriscensis (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 658 (1891).Polystachya bituberculata Kraenzl., Bot. Ja...

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