Terminology

[hosshead]

Okay.
I would like to have a set of terminology definitions about colour started here...
I want to kick off with the question, "What is the separate meaning of tipo, aurea, alba?"
I understand that alba is the white variant.
I am not sure how tipo is defined,(or how it is different from what people call "the common form"), I think that aurea is mostly yellowish or white with a purple or pink or coloured lip. But that may be quite wrong.
I've read tipo to mean,"of the type" or typical.
but I see it used to mean something else sometimes.
Oh, let's add atropupurea and atroviolacea while we're at it, although I think those are kind of self explanatory.

Here we go!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Tipo is referring to a locale, as far as I understand, not a color variant. It is not Latin or Greek. 'Tipo' could also be slang in Mexican for "guy", who knows.

Here's a table for the colors:

Latin Color Word List

[Wynn Dee13]

Aurea is the yellow form of some species. Like Sophronitis coccinea var aurea. sophronitis coccinea var aurea - Google Search The regular color form is a red color.

Sem-alba is the white with a pink lip or pink spot on the lip of some species. Like Cattleya walkeriana var semi-alba. cattleya walkeriana var. semi alba - Google Search

Great thread by the way. someone should make it a sticky.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

To answer part of your request directly:

Atropurpurea = dark purple
Aurea = yellow/gold
Alba = white

[msaar]

I have only seen "Tipo" used in reference to Brazilian species, and as far as I know, it means "type". The type variant of any species is the form that was initially described scientifically. It is usually, but not always, the most common variant of the species.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by msaar

I have only seen "Tipo" used in reference to Brazilian species, and as far as I know, it means "type". The type variant of any species is the form that was initially described scientifically. It is usually, but not always, the most common variant of the species.

That's how Mauro (who used to post a LOT of Brazilian Catt pics here on OB) explained it to me a few year back.

[Ray]

I always view "tipo" as "typical", i.e., the standard color, specifically because it can be applied to plants that are not the type species of the genus, so why confuse things?

[Magnus A]

The use of alba is not always used correct when you say that it is true white, as for example Cattleya forbesii var. alba often has a yellow color.

[hosshead]

I appreciate the link to the Latin very much!
It is too bad that orchid vendors don't stick to convention as well as they should....

What do we say about orchids who are mahogany in colour?

[JaneEyre]

Yes, thanks for the Latin color list link - much helpful.

I am also confused about form vs. variety. Is there a difference?