Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Phalaenopsis bastianii f. helvola (Apr 2025). Although forma helvola is considered synonymous with P. bastianii by the POWO, it is published taxonomically and is a validly published color form. This plant has the sparse trichomes that are characteristic of P. bastianii, although not as long. The exhibitor stated that this plant was confirmed as this forma by Olaf Gruss, the describing taxonomist. Supporting photos which match this forma can be found in the orchidroots.com.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Cymbidium wadae (Apr 2025). The original description and drawing of C. wadae by Tomohisa Yukawa (Ann. Tsukuba Bot. Gard. 21:135), which matches this plant, can be found at: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/research/publication/tsukuba/download/21/ATBG21_135.pdf A key characteristic of C. wadae is the number of keels on the lip. C. wadae is most closely related to eburneum, but distinguishable by the cane-like, elongate stems, a greater number of leaves, much shorter and wider leaves, pale purplish pink sepals and petals, and the two keels on the labellum. There are two keels seen on this plant and that best matches C. wadae.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant is Lepanthes smaragdina (Mar 2025). This species is similar to Lepanthes ortiziana; however the distinguishing difference is that in L. ortiziana the lower part of the petals are falcate vs. upper lobes oblong, lower lobes not curved. L. smaragdina differs from the similar L. manabina in the broadly ovate, obtuse, tailless and not concave dorsal sepal and lateral sepals that are connate to form an ovate synsepal with an acute split apex. The type description, photo and drawing of L. smaragdina can be found at Orquideologia 19: 115 Luer & Escobar 1994. This plant matches the type drawing by Escobar and Luer.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Galeandra schmidtii (Apr 2025). This plant matches the photos in orchidroots.com, esp. Marni Turkel's enlargement of the distinctive hairy callus on the lip. It Matches the photos in the OW. It is a very good match to the video of G. schmidtii on GALEANDRA SCHMIDTII. #orquideas #orquideaslindas #catasetum #orquidario #orquidofilos #orquídeas.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Porpax extinctoria (Apr 2025). This plant is a good match to the plant identified by Pedersen in 2023: https://sitf.aos.org/sitf-blog/porpax-extinctoria-2023-07-17. The photos and description of the pseudobulbs are a good match. The photos show tufts of orange-red hairs on the lip which match this flower. The form of the flower also matches.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Zootrophion arrondeauanum (Mar 2025). This plant matches the original description, photo and dissection images found in the New World Orchidaceae– Nomenclatural Notes Nomenclatural Note– Issue No. 130, March 14, 2024: "A New Species of Zootrophion Luer (Orchidaceae), Zootrophion arrondeauanum Uribe-Velez & Sauleda. It is also based on the detailed differentiation from other species provided in the description in the IPNI. The plant awarded is same plant that the dissection plate was made from in the original description.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Specklinia pfavii (Mar 2025). This plant agrees with the Pupulin's original description and drawing in The New Refugium Botanicum, Specklinia pfavii. The species is very distinctive with a zigzag inflorescence bearing successive blooming, resupinate flowers.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Dendrobium particolor (Apr 2025). This species is similar to D. keystianum, but can be distinguished by a smaller flower and shorter floral bracts. It differs in having slightly narrower leaves, a narrower sepal, a shorter mentum, and a shorter lip. These flowers and bracts are too small to fit D. keystianum. The description of D. keystianum says the bracts are 1 cm. The floral bracts on this plant are .3cm. This plant matches the drawing and description found in the On-Line "Orchids of New Guinea" https://www.orchidsnewguinea.com/orchidinformation/species/speciescode/2920

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Maxillaria friedrichsthalii, not M. encycliodes (Mar 2025). Maxillaria encyclioides, M. scorpioidea and M. friedrichsthalii are impossible to tell apart when out of flower because of the variability in plant size. According to Eric Christenson, M. encyclioides is a bright yellow flower with an obtuse lip. M. scorpioidea is paler flower with similar lip, but characterized by maroon spots on the lip. M. friedrichsthalii has a plain green flower with lateral sepals held rigidly horizontal, a distinctively pointed lip and a broad platelike crest that does not extend to the middle of the lip. The crests of the other species are narrower and extend to the middle of the lip. All of these features are visible in this flower.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Bulbophyllum vietnamense (Mar 2025). Excellent matching photos of B. vietnamense may be seen at the Vietnamese website: Hoa Lan Vietnam (Vietnamese Orchid Society), Vietnamese Wild Orchids: Bulbophyllum. Excellent match to photos in Orchid Roots and the IOSPE.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Epidendrum microphyllum (Mar 2025). Based on the description and illustration in "Icones Orchidacearum Peruviarum" (Bennett & Christenson), with its distinguishing scandent growth habit and its hirsute peduncle, rachis, sepals and ovary. Also matches the illustration in Vol II of Dodson's "Native Ecuadorean Orchids". Another description and excellent photo of Epi. microphyllum matching this plant can be found in the on-line iNaturalist Epidendrum microphyllum. Other supporting photos can be seen in the OW.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Oberonia rufilabris, not O. mucronata (Mar 2025). Identified with the aid of Dr. Daniel Geiger. He identified this plant as O. rufilabris. The characters supporting O. rufilabris and not O. mucronata are the changing length of the floral bracts: short at tip of inflorescence, becoming longer towards peduncle and the shorter, broad leaves, which are compatible with O. rufilabris. The Nordic Journal of Botany, "Studies on Oberonia 3. Aberrant flowers and other floral modifications in the orchid genus Oberonia "Volume 36, Issue 1_2 January/February 2018 contains descriptions, photos and comparisons between O. rufilabris and O. mucronata.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Stelis alternans (Apr 2025). This plant matches Luer's 2004 description of S. alternans. It is "recognized by narrow leaves bourne by much shorter ramicauls and surpassed by a slender, congested raceme of purple flowers. Each flower is held 45 degrees from the rachis in 2 evenly spaced rows with all the flowers facing in the same direction. The dorsal sepal is significantly larger then the oblique laterals. The petals are transverse and shallowly concave and the lip is shallowly discoid with the base sparsely to densely pubescent." It matches Luer's drawing and the photo of S. alternans in the IOSPE.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Epidendrum jaramilloae (Apr 2025). This plant matches the growth habit and blooming habit and the distinctive lip shown on photos of Epi. jaramilloae in the IOSPE. It also matches the type drawing by Hagsater & Dodson. This plant is a little larger than in the description.