Lepanthes oxypetala (Orchidaceae)

Finca Estrella de Agua, PN Los Nevados, Quindio, Colombia. Jun 11, 2014

comments (13)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Very tricky one! It has a very distinct shape that I'm unable to find exact matches for, not even in other colors. Found these close ones:

Lepanthes magnifica
Lepanthes papyrophylla

But I don't think they are a match. I'd definitely suggest an expert on this one. Posted 7 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  I know, right!
  I remember spending some time trying to ID it a while back, to no avail. And of course, with pleurothallids, there is always the chance it's an undescribed species :)) Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    That chance really is substantial indeed! Posted 7 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Well, it's been an humbling experience, can't find a single confident match. I really hope you'll try to take these to an expert. Posted 7 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Well thanks for trying! These little devils definitely are a mighty challenge for us people who like to put a name to everything we see! Fortunately, it doesn't stop us from enjoying their beauty!
  
  Still, I'll see if anyone can help on that Flickr group. Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I've tried one myself in the Flickr group a few days ago, it's pretty inactive it seems. You may have better luck with the FB group. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 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
  3. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      What are the odds. I had your comment parked to check out later. Then I posted something to the orchids group on Facebook and got an immediate reply from an expert. Had a chat with him and he identified several of Thibaud's orchids. Turns out its the exact same guy you were suggesting to contact :) Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. WildFlower
        
        Lion
        
        I was wondering what happened last night. You usually reply to comments first.
        David Haelterman seems to have a lot of experience with orchids too. I used his photos to identify your Maxillaria. It would be great if both of them could join JD.
        https://www.flickr.com/people/58798926@N07/ Posted 7 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Expert says "Lepanthes oxypetala", this being a color variety. Posted 7 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Cool! I definitely never would have figured that one out! That's why the knowledge of experts who deal with these species every days just cannot be topped. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Absolutely, I'm really glad I found that guy. Asked him to join JD, he may in a few days. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
      
      Lion
      
      Holy crap, if he does, we'll get a deluge of fantastic new orchid species! Posted 7 years ago

The Long-Pointed Petals Lepanthes

Lepanthes oxypetala is an orchid found in Ecuador and Colombia, in cloud forests at elevations of 2900 to 3500 meters as a small sized, cold growing epiphyte.

Info 7 0

Similar species: Agaves, Aloes, Onions

Species identified by Thibaud Aronson

By Thibaud Aronson

Uploaded Dec 6, 2017. Captured Jun 11, 2014 13:06 in Unnamed Road, Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia.

Explore Colombia 8,334 2,805 0

PENTAX K-3
f/5.6
1/100s
ISO6400
135mm