Finding
SITF confirms this plant as Scaphosepalum swertiifolium (Oct 2024). S. swertiifolium and S. ursinum are the only species in the section with large sepaline pads and long caudae; however the rest of this flower doesn't fit the S. ursinum form. Illustrations and photos of S. swertiifolium and S. ursinum can be found in the IOSPE. These photos support S. swertiifolium over S. ursinum.
Overall Length Of Growth Cane: 22.8 cm
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 1
Leaf Length: 18.8 cm
Leaf Width: 4.6 cm
Leaf Margin: entire
Leaf Shape: Oblanceolate
Leaf Petiole Length: 4.0 cm
Pseudobulb Length: 22.8 cm
Pseudobulb Width: 0.2 cm
Pseudobulb Margin: linear
Pseudobulb Distance: 0.5 cm
Inflorescence Overall Length: 35.4 cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: sequential
Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 3.1 cm
Inflorescence Dist Bet Flowers: 2.2 cm
Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 1.2 cm
Floral Bracts Length: 2.0 cm
Floral Bracts Width: 0.1 cm
Ovary Length: 1.5 cm
Ovary Width: 0.1 cm
Ovary Shape: linear
Ovary Color: Olive
Ovary Texture: Smooth
Flower Natural Spread Length: 3.0 cm
Flower Natural Spread Width: 6.2 cm
Dorsal Sepal Length: 1.2 cm
Dorsal Sepal Width: 0.1 cm
Lateral Sepals Length: 4.0 cm
Lateral Sepals Width: 0.2 cm
Petals Width: 0.1 cm
Judging Center: Carolinas
Award Number: 20242472
Award Date: August 17, 2024
Awarded As: AM
Twenty-three flowers and thirty-one buds on approximately 120 inflorescences to 22 cm; dorsal sepal translucent, heavily spotted mahogany, cauda translucent, lightly overlaid magenta; lateral sepals translucent, heavily spotted mahogany proximally, heavily overlaid bright yellow, spotted mahogany centrally, caudae creamy-yellow; petals yellow, spotted mahogany; lip mahogany; column and anther cap cream, overlaid magenta; substance delicate; texture matte.Purchased from Andy's Orchids. Yellow color form not typical for species/subspecies? Consulted Kew, IOSPE, & OrchidWiz
