Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Phragmipedium schlimii (Jun 2024). This is confirmed without a subspecies designation. Kew POWO has synonymized all schlimii-like species and subspecies to be P. schlimii. All 7 of the segregates from schlimii are now considered synonyms of schlimii and will be explained in an upcoming article in the August AOS "Orchids" magazine. P. schlimii is now considered an ochlospecies (a polymorphic species with chaotic infraspecific variation which is intractable to formal taxonomic treatment) and all the variables that were used to segregate them are fascile across the entire region.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Phragmipedium schlimii, not P. anguloi (Jun 2024). Pharagmipedium anguloi is considered to be synonymous with P. schlimii by KEW POWO. All of the small-flowered taxa that look like schlimii have now been reduced to synonyms of schlimii.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Gomesa planifolia, not Gomesa alpina (Jun 2024). The key difference between G. alpina and G. planifolia is that G. alpina has 10-15 flowers on an up to 13-cm inflorescence and G. planifolia has up to 50 flowers on a 25 to 30-cm inflorescence. This plant had 44 flowers on an up to 25-cm inflorescence, which better keys to G. planifolia. G. recurva was also considered, however, Kew's POWO considers G. recurva to be synonymous with G. planifolia. Matching photos of G. planifolia may be found in the IOSPE and the orchidroots.com. Description and photos of G. planifolia are in the "Orchids of Brazil" by Dalton H. Batista, Patricia Harding, et. al.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Galeandra minax (May 2024). There is an excellent matching photo of Galeandra minax in the POWO and twelve closely matching photos in the orchidroots.com. The flower size appears a little smaller (3.8 cm Vert. vs. 4.2 cm) than is described in the IOSPE. There is also a description of G. minax by Wilson and Wilson and a photo by Marni Turkel in an article in the "Orchids" magazine, June 2023.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (May 2024). This plant was entered as a primary hybrid of Paph. rothschildianum, however, the judging team believed it might be a straight Paph. rothschildianum. SITF concurs based on the numerous white cilia on the surface of the staminode which mimics aphids that attract predator wasps, its primary pollinators. This is a recessive trait and a key characteristic of Paph. rothschildianum. Measurements of the flowers also agree better than as a hybrid. A primary hybrid with P. gardineri would reduce the overall stature of the flower and plant.

Finding

The flower of Calanthe judithiae does not match the form of the lip of this plant. This plant is an exact match to the 2020 AOS awarded Calanthe leonidii, #20204471/CHM. The flower form and color, including the golden yellow protuberances at the base of the lip, matches this plant, as does the flower size given in the IOSPE description. This plant also matches the photos found in the Vietnamese article: http:/hoalanvietnam.org/6B2_lv/3hk/Kieu-Lan-leonidii.pdf .