It’s an odd genera in the whole complexity of orchids this somewhat obscure genus, Systeloglossum.
I thought it’s a Bulbophyllum or Epidendrum than the Oncidium/Odontoglossum alliance that it is. The genus was described in 1923 by Schlechter, who suggested, quite doubtfully, that it might be related to Odontoglossum.
The plant has a series of weirdness. The flowers are produced one or two at a time on a slowly elongating, scaly peduncle. The flowers are not very showy, being brownish green or bronzy green, but they are odd enough to be interesting. Even before the flower opens (which takes weeks), one sees that it must have a long column, because the bud has a prominent "chin," a feature which again, reminds me of Bulbophyllum or Dendrobium, yet when the flower opens, one finds that the lip and column are joined for almost the whole length that forms a curious hood (the clinandrium) over the anther, these being features which remind me of some Epidendrum.
This is a sequential bloomer. I am lucky to have four spikes. I grow this in warm to intermediate temperatures supported by a 2 gallon electric humidifier with oscillating fan for good air circulation given medium shade on the bathroom window….I fertilize weekly weakly with seaweed liquid mix supplement.
Systeloglossum ecuadorense
Linear Mode
