Lepanthes licrophora, Tatama National Park, Colombia

Another jewel of an orchid in the cloudforest of Tatama National Park, Colombia. This species has only been described in 2013, so there's not much information about it online.

comments (17)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

I am loving your Lepanthes photos! Along with hummingbirds, they truly are some of the gems of the Andes.
Incidentally, which group are you consulting to ID your orchid photos? I myself have several unidentified Lepanthes photos sitting in my computer, and would love to put names to them. Posted 7 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  You have several lepanthes photos unidentified? Please do share! I consider them a gold mine.
  On Facebook, I'm using this group:
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/52597049839/
  
  It's a very active group dealing mostly with orchid cultivation, yet there are some experts, you just have to be lucky they see your post. Furthermore, via @Wildflower I found this Flickr group dealing with Colombia orchids only:
  
  https://www.flickr.com/groups/colombianorchids/pool/page4
  
  Finally, this site has extensive information, yet is a bit hard to browse:
  http://www.orchidspecies.com/
  
  Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Haha alright, though bear in mind that my photos were taken with a crappy lens, so they are far from the quality of your own...
    Thanks for the resources. I have been going consulting iospe for years, but indeed, it is not ideal for trying to ID a member of a speciose genus, especially one where new species are described so frequently. I'll check out the others! Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Thank you, and don't worry about the photos, all are welcome and I will not fall for your false modesty ;) Posted 7 years ago
  3. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    If you look at the list of groups this photo is in you will find about 40 orchid related groups. Sebastian Moreno has an extensive collection of photos from Colombia himself, including many Lepanthes sp. He is a top contributor in many of the groups. Another one of the members is David Haelterman. Both of them offer guided tours in the same organisation. You could try to contact them directly if the groups are not active. They may be even tempted to join JD and contribute.
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/semoreno/31918529920/in/pool-colombianorchids/
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/58798926@N07/37314806612/in/pool-plantascolombia/
    http://www.ecotonetours.com/our-guides/ Posted 7 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

WOW! What a find! And it is a beauty! Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, Lisa. I never understood the strong appeal for orchids. Meaning, they're pretty, but I couldn't understand what makes them so special and why some would even go on orchid tours. Until last year, where these lepanthes orchids opened our eyes. So tiny, delicate, beautiful and not to forget: hyper-local. They only grow in very precise conditions, such as in cloud forests. Anyway, here's what seems to be the master of lepanthes if you want to see more:
  https://www.flickr.com/photos/semoreno/albums/72157646914106924 Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks for the link!
    
    It seems many orchids grow in very precise conditions (usually involving a mycorrhizal relationship with a fungus), which is what initially got me interested in seeking them out in my area. Human activities are leading to the decline of many species in the Southern Appalachians (and I'm sure elsewhere too), so I am trying to seek out/enjoy them while I still can.
    
    I was overjoyed to find this on our land last year (I haven't seen any this year yet, however). It is S2S3 (IMPERILED) here in Georgia.
    Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      That's a gorgeous species, Lisa, a work of art. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks! It is a dainty little thing! The inflorescence (and plant in general) is rather small compared to other Spiranthes species! Posted 6 years ago
    3. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      About precise conditions, the lepanthes genus is so "collectible" I hear they are in particular demand by the Japanese as delicate decoration for Bonsai trees. They try to "reverse engineer" how the flower works and what it needs, and this can take years of work for just a single species. Posted 6 years ago
    4. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Oh really? :O I've never heard of such a thing!
        
        Do you cultivate any orchids at home? Posted 6 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Nope, I can barely keep a cactus alive. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Haha! I understand that! I'm REALLY good at letting native plants go wild in my yard. I am terrible with cultivating non-natives or keeping indoor plants.
        
        I've kept some outdoor cacti and succulents in the past, however. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I'm the same. The great thing is that I can cover up my laziness with the argument that wild growth really is my intention. An action, rather than an inaction, if that makes sense. Posted 6 years ago
  3. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Wow! Just started browsing that gallery! It is a wonderland! Posted 6 years ago
  4. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      It is! He's really good at bringing out the best of these flowers, as well as very knowledgeable about them. Obsessed, really.
      
      This is a good real world photo of how you might find them with just your human eyes:
      https://www.flickr.com/photos/semoreno/26422864367/in/album-72157646914106924/
      
      These cloud forests have trees covered in thick layers of moss, on which the flowers grow. You can see how their single leaf is rather small, but noticeable, but the flower on it is way smaller still.
      
      And that's just lepanthes, there's also big species like this:
      https://www.jungledragon.com/specie/14394/scaphosepalum_swertiifolium.html Posted 6 years ago