Particular part of a cattleya flower - name for it

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

Since lateral means "on the side", the terms are interchangeable, of course. Tri-lobed is usually used where the lateral lobes are particularly prominent. Compare Encyclia alata with Encyclia tampensis, for example.

That makes sense, but from a judging description standpoint, we treat the side lobes as separate enough to warrant their own description. Therefore tri-lobed would not accurately describe either this flower or the above mentioned Encyclias.

[SouthPark]

Thanks Steve and PMM! I was just following somebody's arcticle from this link here ----- where they used the term tri-lobe or three-lobe for describing the entire labellum.

The Bifoliate Cattleyas
Beginner's Handbook - XVIII

It looks like that writer has a category for number of lobes on the labellum ... such as three-lobe, and then they split it up into the two side lobes, and the middle lobe (or mid-lobe).

If it were me describing it, I'd put it into a quad-lobe category. Because the mid-lobe could be considered to be two lobes in itself if there happens to be a prominent notch on the front of the lip. So --- two side-lobes, and left-half of 'mid-lobe', and right-half of 'mid-lobe'. But I have no problem with just lumping those two halves together as 1 mid-lobe.

If no notch at the front-side of the lip, then I'd just put it into a plain three-lobe category. I know that going to '4-lobe' could be over the top though.

So side-lobes (2 of them) and mid-lobe is nice and simple for describing a labellum.

For the flower pic I posted, there is a significant gap in the region between each side-lobe and the mid-lobe. And Steve put in a nice description about the mid-lobe being notched centrally. Thanks for helping with understanding how to describe these particular features! I definitely learned a lot here. Thanks Steve and PMM!

[isurus79]

Ah, I see where you're getting this terminology from. Interesting article! I haven't seen tri-lobed in my judging journeys, but I'll keep an eye out on some of the older awards. Note the article was written in 1956! Thanks for sending this.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Ah, I see where you're getting this terminology from. Interesting article! I haven't seen tri-lobed in my judging journeys, but I'll keep an eye out on some of the older awards. Note the article was written in 1956! Thanks for sending this.

Most welcome Steve. I didn't spot the 1956 before!
Thanks for your help with getting me oriented better with the parts of flower names!

Previously, I think I didn't even have the correct understanding of 'lip' (which I had assumed was just the front 'fan' showy portion not including the side-lobe). Things are coming together better now haha.