Species Phal? I got it at a price I couldn't say no to...

[theloyalplum]

Hello, fellow orchidiers! I recently went to a local orchid grower's open house where I the owner gave me a deal on a mounted phal, his last one! He said it was a species, but dropped the tag and gave me a few bucks off for it! So in short... I need your help! Here's a couple pictures. The flowers are nearing their ends!





Help and I'll love you all long time!

[eurytides]

This is Phal tetraspis. It sometimes goes by the name Phal speciosa. I must say this is a rare and great find!

BlogGang.com : : Bp_Ps_29 - Phal.speciosa

[theloyalplum]

Originally Posted by eurytides

This is Phal tetraspis. It sometimes goes by the name Phal speciosa. I must say this is a rare and great find!

BlogGang.com : : Bp_Ps_29 - Phal.speciosa

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can now properly find information! The variation within the species is quite... overwhelming! I hope I don't kill it. hehe...

[ilikeorchids]

Beautiful! And looks healthy too! Nice fine

[eurytides]

This species is quite variable indeed. There is the classic tetraspis which is either all white or has transverse red bars. But the form that has random red petals or sepals, or your form which is almost totally red, some people call that speciosa. In reality, that's tetraspis also. There's another post on this forum where I posted a link to a paper proving that these forms are the same thing.

Phal speciosa is a real entity, and is a sister species to tetraspis. But in all likelihood, the real speciosa is extinct.

[reliablefool]

I rarely see this form, but I love it! If you ever get tired of it you should send it my way. Hehe. Great find!