Stanhopea tigrina (peloric)

[RobS]

Peloria in orchids occurs when the petals take on the color and/or the shape of the lip, and may be found anywhere between two extremes. In Broughtonia sanguinea 'Aquinii' there is a slight coloration found at the tips of the petals similar to the color in the lip, while in Cymbidium hoosai 'Butterfly Lip' the petals may have the full appearance of the structure of the lip. The presence of peloria is genetic, but expression of peloria may be influenced by environmental changes or by being stressed. These are not always stable, and the plant may flower normally on the next inflorescence.

source Peloric Orchids

pe·lo·ri·a (p-lôr-, -lr-)
n.
Unusual regularity in the form of a flower that is normally irregular.
[New Latin, from Greek pelros, monstrous, from pelr, monster; see kwer- in Indo-European roots.]
pe·loric (-lôrk, -lr-) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

source Peloric - definition of Peloric by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

I think this definition is valid. Highligted the important part. Partially peloric flowers are as much a deformation as complete peloric flowers.

Conclusion these flowers are peloric.

[Frdemetr]

Roy, Brett, RobS,

Thank you for collaborations! In the Brazilian system of orchids judging (CAOB), I would have to present it as "Stanhopea tri-lip”, since the term "peloric" is limited only to cases described by Roy (ie, C intermedia aquinii). But it's just a “game of semantics”, because etymologically it is possible rather call it "peloric"
Gwallogwyn: if Doug Pulley got a selfing, I'll keep trying! But just in case I will preserve the pollinia to cross with a regular Stan tigrina too!

Happy New Year!

[RobS]

Well the question is if we want to describe plants according to judging systems which vary for each orchid society. Or do we want to describe the plants as much as possible based on a neutral scientific point of view. I'd vote for the latter and disregard judging systems as they are to variable and arbitrary.

[Frdemetr]

Hi friends!

When I rebasketed this plant (only two years ago) I have broken (unwittingly) two pieces from the main part (posted above), one with two pbulbs and one single pbulb, isolated. I basketed the two pieces and now both are mature plants; this is the former "one single pbulb" piece (the former "two pbulbs piece" is in spike)

[Roy]

I don't have a problem with what is peloric and what is a deformity, its a matter of what term is being used in the marketing of a plant & IF the plant can be proven to flower with peloric features consistantly then it would be accepted. If it only flowers occasionally like it then its deformed. I take acception to the judging remark, consistancy can be a problem with some judges, but the over riding issue is the plants consistancy to produce these flowers. It has been known for one of theses "peloric" orchids to be marketed widely with the outcome thats its a deformity in its own right or its a true peloric but when cloned, the peloric turns to deformity.
Example, Cym. Rothsay 'Black Label' flowered it had the lip, almost entirely copied in the petals with no other alterations. It was m/cloned and the results gave some with no alterations, some exact, some exact BUT the column had completlt fused and had NO pollen cap... This is deformed. Regardles of what is thought of judges, we have to be aware of these situations and make it clear that NOT all plants conform. I for one would not accept inconsistancy in flowering of a plant with these features and two, point out to owners why their plant doesn't qualify as peloric and does as deformed when there maybe multiple plants of it on display.

[RobS]

that makes a lot of sense

[Frdemetr]

Roy, RobS

Thnaks for the excellente discussion!

It seems (SEEMS, I said!) that the selfing I made of this plant will work this time (the ovary of the flower is very green); now I need to hope for some fertile seeds! An eventual offspring may help clarify the question: if the seedlings blossom "normal" with a percentage of peloric flowers, the idea of peloria will be reinforced; if the seedlings blossom with many non-classifiable deformities, will be reinforced the idea of deformity. Mericloning is outside my scope.