Species Epidendrum - Name please

[Orchonubee]

The tag is so faded I can only make out a few letters. I've search for a picture to match mine, but I've been unsuccesful.

[katrina]

The flower looks a lot like Epi parkinsonianum but the leaves are all wrong for that particular species.

Are you sure it's a species? I would guess it's more likely a hybrid w/parkinsonianum in the background. Most likely a primary hybrid w/park being one of the parents.

[Orchonubee]

Originally Posted by katrina

The flower looks a lot like Epi parkinsonianum but the leaves are all wrong for that particular species.

Are you sure it's a species? I would guess it's more likely a hybrid w/parkinsonianum in the background. Most likely a primary hybrid w/park being one of the parents.

You are so right Katrina, and thank you for your response. The flower is very close to Epi parkinsonianum, and you are right in that the leaves are different. After carefully looking at a dozen pictures of the Epi parkinsonianum and going out and looking at my plant there are very subtle differences in the inflorescence too.

I'm reasonably sure it's a species Epi, but not 100% sure. I did buy a species orchid about 3 years ago from a reliable source. It's possible to make out some of the letters on the tag, it seems like it may end in ii or perhaps enii.

[katrina]

How wide are the flowers?

[gnathaniel]

Looks like Epidendrum oerstedii, a close relation of parkinsonianum. Very nice, BTW!

[Orchonubee]

Originally Posted by gnathaniel

Looks like Epidendrum oerstedii, a close relation of parkinsonianum. Very nice, BTW!

Thank you so much. There is no doubt in my mind after looking at several Internet photos that this is my orchid. It does seem that they may have changed the name to Coilostylis oerstedii.

[stefpix]

Is it growing on a Ficus aurea? Are those leaves of F. aurea?

[euplusia]

It looks a lot like Epidendrum nocturnum. The problem is that Epid. noct. is native from Florida through Central and South America, Caribbeans included, to Brazil and Bolivia. Nowadays taxonomists tend to split the complex group.

[katrina]

I agree the flower looks like nocturnum but the leaves aren't right for that species. My nocturnum had long, skinny growths/canes w/alternate leaves all the way down to the base. The leaves/growth structure more resembled some of the dens than it did a catt.

Epi oerstedii might be heading in the right direction but I still don't think it's quite right. Are you sure it's not a hybrid?

The Epi oerstedii I've seen have longer spikes w/more flowers. And, it could be an illusion of the picture but your flowers look larger than those on the oerstedii I've seen. Of course, the lesser # of flowers could've resulted in the flowers being larger. ???

I will repeat what I've said before...pic ID's are not the best source or the most reliable form of ID. W/out a proper ID/definitive tag...it's always a guessing game and w/most orchids guessing can and does lead to errors in this arena.

[Orchonubee]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Is it growing on a Ficus aurea? Are those leaves of F. aurea?

No it is mounted on a piece of wood, hanging beneath a mango tree. I frequently move blooming orchids from their normal place to the front of my home where they can be viewed by friends and family.

I will give you, that you have a keen eye as the leaves do look quite similar, given the modest quality of the picture.