Finding

SITF confirms that this plant is Rhipidoglossum rutilum (Dec 2024) based on plant, inflorescence form, and general flower form. The flowers are a close match to the two plants awarded as Rhip. rutilum (OW/DOG). Kew (POWO) considers Diaphananthe rutila a synonym for Rhip. rutilum; however, the previous AOS award to Dpthe. rutila is very different than this plant and to the previous DOG awards and a closer look should be made on the AOS award to determine if it is correct.

Finding

SITF cannot make a determination on this Challenge. SITF can only act on a Challenge that determines whether or not a plant is correctly identified, not whether an award is appropriate or not. Although SITF agrees that this plant probably does not meet the criteria for a Cultural Award, since there are no flowers open, it should probably go to the JC Judging Policy Task Force to deal with cultural awards to Jewel orchids.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Coelogyne triplicatula (Dec 2024). The detailed, close-up photos of this plant match the key for C. triplicatula. This plant best fits C. triplicatula based on the lip margins. The cilia on this plant and C. triplicatula are very short, almost sawtooth-like, whereas, both C. fimbriata and C. ovalis margins are heavily fimbriated, with much longer cilia.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Epidendrum corymbosum Ruiz & Pav. 1798 (Nov 2024). There are two entries listed for Epi. corymbosum in the Kew POWO. This plant matches Epi. corymbosum Ruiz & Pav 1798. The other entry for E. corymbosum Barb.Rodr. is a synonym for Epidendrum proligerum, which does not match this plant. This plant is an excellent match to the drawings and description of E. corymbosum in the Icones Orchidacearum Peruviarum. It also matches the photos in the OW and the IOSPE.

Finding

SITF has determined that this plant is not Dracula psittacina (Nov 2024), but is an unknown species. Dracula psittacina is characterized by nearly linear leaves and clusters of small campanulate flowers held near and within the foliage. It is part of the erythrochaete complex. This flower does not match the description. SITF cannot make an accurate identification without better documentation; especially better detailed, focused, close-up photos of the flower characteristics. With better photography, SITF might be able to re-open the submission.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Habenaria rhodocheila subsp. rhodocheila, not Habenaria roebelenii (Nov 2024). Kew POWO considers H. roebelenii to be synonymous with H. rhodocheila subsp. rhodocheila. This plant matches the photos of the red H. rhodocheila and Bakers' description in the OW.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Habenaria austrosinensis (Nov 2024). The plant is an exact match to photos in the IOSPE and OW. The form of the sepals with the true apex pointing backwards and the front margins forming the pointed apices appear to be features of this species. It keys to Habenaria austrosinensis in the Habenaria article, "The Genus Habenaria (Orchidaceae) in Thailand" in the Thai Forest Bulletin, Special Issue: 7-105. 2009., SPECIAL ISSUE: 7–105. 2009. with "Spur cylindric and apically clavate, longer than the lateral sepals and Spur straight, pointing backwards. Petals linear."

Finding

Sitf confirms this plant as Maxillaria purpureolabia (Nov 2024). This plant is an excellent match to the photos and illustrations in Christenson's Maxillaria Monograph Vol. 2, including a distinctive, obscurely 3-lobed lip. The same drawing can be found in Icones Orchidacearum Peruviarum, Plate 702 and in the IOSPE. The size of flower is a little small, but the flower form, color, and plant habit match M. purpureolabia.

Finding

SITF confirms that this plant is Ancistrorhynchus metteniae (Dec 2024). Matches photos on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). It is an exact match to the photos in form and color in the OW and IOSPE. The flower size (.3cm) does not agree with the description of ~1 cm, but it could be in how much the cupped flowers are open in this plant or could be in how it was measured.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Vanda brunnea (Flava) (Nov 2024). There are no validly published color forms of brunnea; however, adding the color in parenthesis as (Flava) in the title helps in the Identification of this color type. Except for the color, it is an excellent fit for the awarded V. brunnea in the OP. The form of the plant matches Bakers' description of V. brunnea in the OW.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Acianthera panduripetala (Nov 2024). The flower form is a good match to A. panduripetala in the IOSPE; the Genus is accepted by Kew as Acianthera. The petals also match the drawing of the species in the IOSPE. The plant matches several photos in the orchidroots.com.

Finding

SITF confirms that this plant is Polystachya adansoniae (Dec 2024). This plant fits the picture and general description in "The Orchids of South Central Africa". It is not P. erythrocephala because of the unequally bilobed leaves and not P. stuhlmannii because that species has hairs on the outside of the sepals. These sepals are glabrous. It matches the key and Photo in Stewart's 1996, "Orchids of Kenya ('flowers pale green, lip edged purple); matches photos, descriptions and illustrations in Williamson's 1977, "Orchids of South Central Africa", in Balhema's 1983, "Orchids of Nigeria" and in LaCroix's 1991, "Orchids of Malawi" and in Pridgeon's 1992 "Encyclopedia of Orchids".

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.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Stelis hallii (Oct 2024). The fractiflex (Zigzagged) inflorescence in the last photo matches S. hallii. Matches three photos in the orchidroots.com and an excellent photo and two illustrations in the IOSPE.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Trichocentrum candidum (Nov 2024). This is an excellent match to the drawings and description in Volume II of F. Hamer's 1974, "The Orchids of El Salvador". The emarginate lip may be a distinctive characteristic. There are narratives, keys, and drawings that match this plant in, "A Revision of the Genus Trichocentrum" by Franco Pupulin published by Academia.edu on-line. Both POWO and IOSPE have photos of T. candidum. The protruding wings on this plant and the first flower of IOSPE's T. candidum, as well as, three photos in POWO appear correct.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Dendrobium indivisum var. indivisum (Dec 2024). The flower and plant form are good matches to indivisum var. indivisum with many good comparison photos which shows striping on the lip to be very similar to those on Orchidroots.com, although the striping can be somewhat variable, esp. in the lip. The flower size is acceptable, although a little large. This plant's flower and foliage closely matches the flower and plant photo in the IOSPE.

Finding

SITF has determined this plant to be Aeranthes grandiflora, not Aeranthes virginalis (Oct 2024). Johan Hermans, a noted botanist in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, an expert in this genus, has identified this plant as A. grandiflora. He said that A. virginalis cannot be mistaken for any other species because of the crossed sepals (crossing in front of the lip making it unmistakable) and more, importantly, the formation of plantlets that occur along the inflorescence; the only species in the genus that forms such plantlets. This plantlet formation starts very early in the development of the inflorescence, usually before the first bud opens. This plant does not exhibit either of these two key characteristics. Kew POWO lists two entries for A. grandiflora. A. grandiflora (Lindl. 1833) is synonymous with A. arachnites and is not this flower. A. grandiflora (Lindl. 1844) is accepted by Kew and matches this flower.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Catasetum juruenense (Oct 2024). Closely matches the photos of Ctsm. juruenense in the OW. It is a good match to the photograph in Holst's, "The World of Catasetums". This species considered to be similar to Ctsm. callosum. The flower form matches that of Ctsm. juruenense and the flower size is in range, as well as the leaf size and number of leaves per pseudobulb according to Bakers' description in the OW.

Finding

SITF confirms this plant as Galeandra schunkii (Sep 2024). This plant matches photos in the OW and the orchidroots.com and a photo of the G. schunkii awarded in Brazil in 2015, 1ST/CAOB, as seen in the OW. It is an excellent match to the photos in Richardiana 9:64 (2009).