A few Catasetums....

[Saadia]

katrina, your catasetum saccatum has quite unusual form of lip sack opening. What I mean is that in the internet one usually sees saccatums with a kidney-shaped orifice of whitish color (similar to the A. Holst's description in the 'World of catasetums'). Yours, on the contrary, has rather rectangular orifice of dark color (or is it just an effect of foto?). Is it a different variety of the saccatum?

[euplusia]

Good knowledge and sharp eye, Natalia. Although this species is quite variable, it is not a typical saccatum (nor osculatum nor incurvum). It might be a hybrid with saccatum.

[Saadia]

Thank you, euplusia. I also think, that it's more like a hybrid with saccatum. It would be interesting to know the real name then.

[katrina]

I got it from Floralia a couple/few years ago and their IDs are typically spot on. I just chalked up the differences to the fact that this species (like many Ctsm) does tend to exhibit quite a bit of variety in it's appearance. ???

[euplusia]

In the past often different Catasetum species were lumped together. Recent field studies lead to better knowledge and allowed to upgrade varieties into species rank and also to describe more species.
Catasetums with a saccate lip pouch were lumped together as Catasetum saccatum. Today we realize that incurvum (trautmanni), osculatum ( christyanum) and schmidtianum are well defined separate species.
Also promoted by human and agricultural activities there exists an increasing number of natural hybrids.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by euplusia

In the past often different Catasetum species were lumped together. Recent field studies lead to better knowledge and allowed to upgrade varieties into species rank and also to describe more species.
Catasetums with a saccate lip pouch were lumped together as Catasetum saccatum. Today we realize that incurvum (trautmanni), osculatum ( christyanum) and schmidtianum are well defined separate species.
Also promoted by human and agricultural activities there exists an increasing number of natural hybrids.

Good points...thanks for the info and the input (you too Saadia). I will change the tag to read the new status.