Wild (and semi-wild) orchids from Venezuela...

[kavanaru]

Before my holidays I promised I would take as many pictures as possible from wild orchids... The weather was a bit weird this year in Venezuela and the blooming season of many plants was delayed, e.g. Catasetum discolor and Epidendrum carpophorum (one yone plant of each in bloom!! by mid August they normally cover large parts of La Gran Sabana with their flowers) However, I think that catching over 30 species in two weeks is not a bad record (keep in mind I was travelling with family and friends and was not always allowed to go off-road searching for orchids).

Unfortunatelly, I could not find Phragmipedium klotzschianum this time. Two out of three places I knew where significant populations of this species are present, were closed to the public. The third location has been affected so strongly by tourists that this species has had no chance to survive.

ok, and now the pictures... This time you need to do your own homework Too many pictures to be placed here one by one, so I decided to better add the link to the corresponding set in my Flickr Website I hope you enjoy the pictures... Comments are welcome, and if you by chance can identify any of the plants I could not identify, I would appreciate very very much your feedback

Orchids Venezuela August 2009 - a set on Flickr

Enjoy!!

[lepanthes89]

Great pictures.
I think I have some names( to genus level,from the top of my head.)
1st page of photos#'s1-4=Scelochilus?
#'s5-6-Notylia sp.
#'s7-9-Dichaea sp.
#'s11-12-Stelis sp.

take care
Spiro

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by lepanthes89

Great pictures.
I think I have some names( to genus level,from the top of my head.)
1st page of photos#'s1-4=Scelochilus?
#'s5-6-Notylia sp.
#'s7-9-Dichaea sp.
#'s11-12-Stelis sp.

take care
Spiro

Wow Lepanthes, Thanks a lot!!!

Indeed, 1-4 has been identified by a friend as Scelochilus otronis; 5-6 is Notylia sp (I had forgotten that one!), 7-9 is Dichaea sp... but, are you sure with the Stelis? Shouldn't Stelis has flowers like those on pics 24-26?

[lepanthes89]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

Wow Lepanthes, Thanks a lot!!!

Indeed, 1-4 has been identified by a friend as Scelochilus otronis; 5-6 is Notylia sp (I had forgotten that one!), 7-9 is Dichaea sp... but, are you sure with the Stelis? Shouldn't Stelis has flowers like those on pics 24-26?

You are probably right.On second glance, I noticed the thread - like petals,no stelis has those,but there are quite a few with elongated ,non standard flowers.
Anyway, the closest match in Dunstervilles' field guide is Pleurothallis antennifera.
Did you take any flowers to press/draw? That would be even more helpfull.
Take care
Spiro

[lepanthes89]

Originally Posted by lepanthes89

You are probably right.On second glance, I noticed the thread - like petals,no stelis has those,but there are quite a few with elongated ,non standard flowers.
Anyway, the closest match in Dunstervilles' field guide is Pleurothallis antennifera.
Did you take any flowers to press/draw? That would be even more helpfull.
Take care
Spiro

Oh by the way,I dont think Pl.taurus is found in Venezuela;its also a miniature plant from high elevations.
The flowers do look close in shape though.

[Becca]

Wow Ramon! Those photo's are beautiful! I especially think the pictures of Cattleya violacea are stunning!

[kinknstein]

That was amazing kavanaru!!! Felt like I was right there!

[RosieC]

Wow, great shots!

[camille1585]

Great photos Ramon! There are so many unusual looking orchids there. Seems like you had a great vacation.

[got ants]

Very nice pictures. I really appreciate that you took the time to also photograph the whole plants. Too many times, all we see is pics of the flowers.