Panama Lithophyte ID
 

Attachment 118224Attachment 118225Here in the Chiriqui highlands of Panama, on the volcanic rock plains below Volcan Baru (which created the plains), a lithophytic orchid grows in abundance, but Im having trouble ID'ing it. Any suggestions appreciated. Pics attached.

Attachment 118221

In the second picture the dark reddish leaves you see to the left of the bloom are the leaves of the orchid.

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Look up. Epidendrum Radicans.

I agree. If not radicans, then certainly a close relative.

Thanks much.

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Interesting, looks like this is a variety named after the Chiriqui department. If I interpreted some of the references correctly it may have been collected as early as 1831...wow.

Epidendrum radicans var. chiriquense

EPIDENDRA .:. The global orchid information network

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Went for another stroll in the plano recently, its now rainy season, and discovered other varieties of orchid in bloom in addition to E. Radicans chiriquense (which was bloomimg too, but was more prolific in the dry season, and these other varities we did not notice flowering at all).

Have not ID them yet, not even certain all are orchids, but appear to be.

Very small terrestial with white flowers which look like Encyclia flowers to me.

Larger lithophyte which looks like another variety of Epidendrum to me.

Small terrestial with dark pink flowers. None of these flowers were fully open yet, so not really certain this one is an orchid. Will go back up and check again in a few days.

https://db.tt/hl2jz19z

https://db.tt/pPntDwCi

https://db.tt/Fp9pYK7D

https://db.tt/oxbXXVDu

https://db.tt/Hf6DzH0h

The large white one appears to be Sobralia lindleyana. In Panama it occurs only in Chiriquí region.

I'll have to wait until I'm home and have more resources to see if I can suggest anything on the others.

Thanks. I was thinking it looked a bit like a Sobralia.


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