Is This An Orchid? - Orchid Board

Pitter · #1 12-08-2009, 08:24 AM

Growing on a tree in front of my deck (in Colombia).

tuvoc · #2 12-08-2009, 10:13 AM

Hard to say for sure. When the buds open, post another pic, and we'll have a better idea.

Kim

Donald · #3 12-08-2009, 10:46 AM

I'm going to take a guess and say it's a phalaenopsis
type dendrobium.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 12-08-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald

I'm going to take a guess and say it's a phalaenopsis
type dendrobium.

I highly doubt it.

1. Leaves are too big.

2. Leaves are folded up too high.

3. Wrong type of inflorescence. A Den phalaenopsis inflorescence is arranged in a raceme. This plant has an inflorescence arranged in an umbel.

4. Cane is not visibly evident. With Den phalaenopsis the cane is easy to spot amongst the leaves.

5. Different shaped buds. Den phalaenopsis has buds that are more elliptical in shape, as in the ends are more rounded. These are spear point shaped.

6. Wrong habitat. Unless this is an invasive Den sp. or hybrid, Dendrobiums are usually native to subtropical and tropical Asia and Australia.

It's hard to guess if this is an actual orchid or not without seeing flowers as most people are not that familiar with native tropical South American plants that aren't popular in horticulture or in the plant hobby.

kavanaru · #5 12-08-2009, 11:35 AM

Hi Pitter,

that's indeed an orcid. To be more specific, it is an Epidendrum (if the nomenclature for this species has not been changed in teh last 10 years), but I cannot recall its exact name right now. I will keep my mind busy trying to remember it or check my photos archive if I find a pciture.

However, as King of Orchids already said, it would be very helpful (and nice

) to have a picture of it when the flowers are open. that would help to identify it (I am sure that someone here can identify or give a closer hint, once the open flowers are available.

Note: King of Orchids is also right that for people not used to southamerican species not common in horticulture, it can be sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to identify a southamerican plant as orchid. Even for people in south america, who are used to many of these plants, it is sometiems difficult. But this applies to all regions.. I recall a friend from venezuela, who could not believe that Cyp calceolus was an orchid!

ronaldhanko · #6 12-08-2009, 01:20 PM

No doubt that the last two people are correct - it is an orchid and cannot possibly be a Dendrobium and is almost certainly an Epidendrum, but further identification depends on seeing the flowers.

Pitter · #7 12-08-2009, 05:27 PM

Thank you all. I will certainly post a photo when it blooms. I have noted this plant in the tree in front of my deck for years but this is the first time I have seen a developing umbrel.