SITF Blog

Maxillaria-funicaulis-Jasen-CBR/AOS-2023-06-22 *SITF has determined this plant to be Maxillaria xanthorhoda, not Maxillaria funicaulis (Oct 2023).
The growth habit of this plant matches the drawing and description of M. xanthorhoda. There is some disagreement in the literature concerning the leaf length of this species; however, the original taxonomic description of M. xanthorhoda by Schlecter in 1918 describes the leaf length as 11.5 cm. This plant has a closely matching leaf length of 11 cm. There are minute cilia along the margin of the basal portion of the lip and it is finely papilose on the apical margin of the lip. The flowers always come from the bases of the new growths as does this plant. This Maxillaria group is unclear and complex and should have more taxonomic research to clarify the species. Photos in the literature are confusing; some probably incorrect and may be M. procurrens Lindl. and not M. xanthorhoda.

Posted on Jun 22, 2023

Plant was obtained from a grower in Eureka CA. Origins South America.

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Paphiopedilum-areeanum-2023-06-22 *SITF confirms this plant is Paphiopedilum areeanum (Jun 2023).
Paphiopedilum areeanum is considered by some to be a natural hybrid between P. barbigerum and P. villosum; however, POWO (Kew) has accepted it as a species based on O. Gruss description in 2001.This plant and flowers are intermediate in size and habit between P. barbigerum and P. villosum. The flowers are also a good match to the photo and drawing in the IOSPE and the photo in orchidrooots.com. It does not match the markings in the dorsal sepals in the photos in the OW, but these are inconsistent with the dorsal sepal markings found on the drawing and on both P. barbigerum and P. villosum, but more like the spotting pattern found on P. gratixianum.

Posted on Jun 22, 2023

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Prosthechea-karwinskii-2023-06-19 *SITF confirms this plant as Prosthechea karwinskii (Jul 2023).
Based on the characteristic flat shape of the bottom of the midlobe; it closely matches the photo in the AOS "Orchids" magazine, July 2020, pg. 524 and in the "Orchids of Mexico", 2005, Hagsater et. al. with good matches to photos in the OW and the IOSPE (as Euchile karwinskii).

Posted on Jun 19, 2023

Included in the above photos are a sketch comparing the flat-bottomed lip of karwinskii to the lip of citrina, and also a botanical sketch of karwinskii, both of which were found online, by Ramon de l...

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Bulbophyllum-zamboangense-2023-06-14 *SITF has confirmed this plant as Bulbophyllum zamboangense (Jun 2023).
This plant matches the photos in the IOSPE and the OW; however, there is very little literature on this species. The description in the OW states: "4-angled, yellow pseudobulbs carrying oblong-elliptic, leathery, very slightly unequally bilobed apically leaves". The pseudobulbs on this plant are 4-angled and the leaves are very slightly unequally bilobed. The pseudobulbs are yellowish-green. Very good match to five images in the orchidroots.com. The inflorescence is much longer in this plant than the description.

Posted on Jun 14, 2023

Plant purchased from TOW in Hawaii, sold as Bulbophyllum zamboangense x self.

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Macropodanthus-philippinensis-2023-06-13 *SITF has determined this plant is Macropodanthus cootesii, not M. philippinesis (Jul 2023).
This plant was identified definitely as M. cootesii by Jim Cootes; our thanks to Jim for aiding us in the research. The long, curving side lobes are a key characteristic of M. cootesii; in M. philippinensis, the side lobes are barely noticeable. In the 2011, "Orchids of the Philippines" by Jim Cootes, he states the segments of M. cootesii reflex very strongly after only a few days; this could make the flower size quite variable, depending on when the flower was measured. This plant closely matches a previous 2012 CHM award to M. cootesii 'Big Foot', which was also verified by SITF.

Posted on Jun 13, 2023

The plant was purchased from an orchid vendor in the Philippines

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Dendrobium-fuscifaucium-Forrests-Lilliputian-CBR/AOS-2023-06-12 *SITF confirms this plant as Dendrobium fuscifaucium (Jun 2023).
Matches the photo found in the Phytotaxa article by Souvann. & Kumar describing the species. This was a collected plant not found in situ. The species is distinctive and related to Dendrobium hekouense. There is very little literature or photos available.

Posted on Jun 12, 2023

References published in Phytotaxa v. 541 (3); 29 March 2022; Plant collected 2021 (purchased in Laos at a roadside); not found in situ. Four pale yellow, oval pollinia

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Bulbophyllum-tremulum-2023-06-09 *SITF has determined this plant to be Bulbophyllum saltatorium, not Bulbophyllum tremulum (Jul 2023).
Although the photography is insufficient for a good, detailed analysis of ths plant, it lacks the ovate bracts on the inflorescence and glaucous coloring of Bulbophyllum barbigerum. The flower shape and lip hairs are also incorrect for B. tremulum. The major difference between B. saltatorium and B. tremulum is the petal shape. B. tremulum has petals that are elliptic-ovate and ornately ciliate; the petals of B. saltatorium are not. In the lower left photo showing this flower, the petal shape is linear and in the award description, the petals are noted as "horn shaped and curved upward, which would better fit Bulbophyllum saltatorium.

Posted on Jun 9, 2023

DESCRIPTION: Award 20226591 new bulbophyllum Eighteen stellate flowers and one bud on one arched 8.5 cm inflorescence originating from the base of a 15 cm x 27 cm plant grown in a 8.5 cm clay pot; pl...

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C-nobilior-alba-2023-06-07 *SITF confirms that this plant is Cattleya nobilior f. alba (Jul 2023).
This plant is an alba form of Cattleya nobilior, which is a validly published subspecies in Orquidologia Sul-America (2004); it matches the key characteristics of having full side lobes which close over the column and extend to the full length of the column and bifoliate leaves which separates this species from Cattleya walkeriana, which is rarely bifoliate. A very good matching photo of Cattleya nobilior f. alba (Joe Panozo) can be seen in the IOSPE.

Posted on Jun 7, 2023

Two flat, stellate flowers on one 20.3-cm inflorescence; plant with crawling growth habit measuring 10.5cm wide x 6.5cm long; pseudobulbs cylindrical tapering apically, 6.7cm long x 1.8cm in diameter;...

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