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Restrepia species (EDIT: probably R. trichoglossa, spotted form)

Discussion in 'Orchid Identification Section' started by KellyW, Jul 12, 2014.

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  1. Jul 12, 2014 #1
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    This is labeled as Restrepia brachypus. Does R. brachypus come in a spotted variety? These colors are accurate. The dorsal sepal is 20 mm and the synsepal is 18 mm, the lip is 8-9 mm long. I neglected to take a plant photo but the leaves are ~5 cm with a ramicaul of equal length. The inflorescence arises from the under side of the leaf and extends beyond the leaf tip by 1-2 cm. I'm thinking perhaps the spotted form of R. trichoglossa?
    Restrepia brachypus ZS-900.jpg
     
  2. Jul 12, 2014 #2
    Boytjie

    Boytjie Out hiking Supporting Member

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    Definitely not brachypus. Even the yellow variety of brachypus is striped, not spotted. -Stephen
     
  3. Jul 13, 2014 #3
    wpinnix

    wpinnix William Pinnix

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    Kelly, I'm running this through Luers key. I get to a point in the key: sepals less than 20 mm, our more than 20 mm. If we go the former, we get to lip width: 1-1.5mm, or 2mm or more wide. If it's the former, it keys to trichoglossa, if the later it keys to renzii.
     
  4. Jul 13, 2014 #4
    wpinnix

    wpinnix William Pinnix

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    If we go the sepals 20 mm or more, then we get to another point in the key that refers to lip width. There are a few species after that. Your photos are great, showing the detail of the lip well. If you measure the sepals to the mm, and the width of the lip, we'll see what the key tells us. I like it!
     
  5. Jul 13, 2014 #5
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I think the serration/fimbriation on the margin of the lip would help narrow the search.
     
  6. Jul 13, 2014 #6
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    First, thanks for doing this. I appreciate it. The lip is well under 2 mm wide. The dorsal sepal is 19 mm and the lateral sepals (synsepal) is 18 mm in it's natural curved position.
    I thought so, too. That is why I suspected trichoglossa.
     
  7. Jul 13, 2014 #7
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Shore is purty....
     
  8. Jul 13, 2014 #8
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Bill, is this in Icones Pleurothallidinarium XIII? I keep looking in used bookstores for this one.
     
  9. Jul 13, 2014 #9
    wpinnix

    wpinnix William Pinnix

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    Kelly, yes, that is the volume. There is also a color photographic plate supplement that goes with it that is very helpful.

    So based on the lip less than 2.0 mm wide, sepals less than 20 mm long, and the yellow synsepal, it keys out to trichoglossa.
     
  10. Jul 13, 2014 #10
    wpinnix

    wpinnix William Pinnix

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    The structures on the lip were also important in the determination. I got to step 29 in the key.
     
  11. Jul 13, 2014 #11
    wpinnix

    wpinnix William Pinnix

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    All that being said, Restrepias are extremely variable with a near continuity between some species. Luer states 'positive identification of many specimens is not possible'. This group certainly challenges our stable species concepts.

    Kelly, do you know the origin of this plant? Based on the photo alone, it looks very similar to a clone of contorta, but of course the measurements don't fit.

    Regardless, it is a beautiful Restrepia!
     
  12. Jul 13, 2014 #12
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Thank you very much, Bill. I'll put trichoglossa on the tag.
    I don't know the origin. I received it in a trade. I really like this plant regardless of the species but it is always nice to know what things are. Thanks again.
     
  13. Jul 18, 2014 #13
    piotrm

    piotrm Well-Known Member

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  14. Apr 10, 2015 #14
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I never posted a plant photo. Here is a current shot of the flowering plant.
    Restrepia trichoglossa spotted plant2-900.jpg
     
  15. Apr 24, 2015 #15
    piotrm

    piotrm Well-Known Member

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    it is nice trichoglossa ;-P