Catasetum of dubious parentage

[telipogon]

I bought this as C. macrocarpum but after some surreptitious googling something doesn't seem right. I wondered if any of you guys can shed some light on this as i hear Catasetums are more widely grown on the other side of the pond

[Dorothy]

What a bizarrely wonderful looking bloom!
Gotta love orchids !

[cb977]

It looks like it should...but with the bloom not being totally open, it's hard to tell if there's a problem.

This is a species and the abbreviation for Catasetum is Ctsm. The capital "C" would be for a Cattleya

[telipogon]

There is really no need to correct me.

This is as open as the flower gets.

I rather fancy it's macroglossum.....

[smweaver]

Looks like it might be a female flower, Teli. They're far less flamboyant than the males--and, unfortunately, harder to differentiate the species by (on the few catasetum plants I've seen firsthand that were producing female flowers, it was difficult to determine what species they were--all of the females looked alike). If it is a female flower, you've certainly done a good job. Unlike cycnoches, catasetums (from everything I've read) are predisposed to producing male flowers.

[smweaver]

The following site has lots of pictures of catasetum flowers, Teli. I think you're right; your plants flowers do resemble those identified in the photos as macroglossum:

http://www.aalbersorchids.nl/nederlands/fotos.htm

[telipogon]

Thanks for that. Yes i wondered about the female flower thing but on looking inside it's obvious its a male one.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Hi, Telipogon,
Just trying to help, Catasetum macrocarpum and macroglossum really look similar at first sight, but the macroglossum flowers I've seen do not present spotted petals and also the burgundy inside the hood, as is the case with Ctsm macrocarpum. Take a look at the interior of the flower; this may help you to clear things. Something between these two may indicate a hybrid.

[telipogon]

Well this is what made me doubt it was macrocarpum, as there is a distinct lack of spotting. I might be able to dredge an old photo............

[Rosim_in_BR]

Now it is clear, Ctsm. macroglossum it is. Check it out catasetum macroglossum