Which Epidendrum? - Orchid Board

Pitter · #1 02-23-2020, 07:20 AM

Is this a yellow version of E. radicans or something else?

WaterWitchin · #2 02-23-2020, 08:11 AM

Sure looks like it, but I'm not the right one to ID much of anything. Now I think I need one.

Dollythehun · #3 02-23-2020, 08:15 AM

Yes, radicans. It looks to be under heavy light.

WaterWitchin · #4 02-23-2020, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Yes, radicans. It looks to be under heavy light.

Yes, I noticed how red those leaves are! I'm gonna be a bit more bold with light on Pinky, now that it's transitioned and blooming.

Pitter · #5 02-23-2020, 10:31 AM

Or E. melinanthum?

Afid · #6 02-23-2020, 12:22 PM

I don't think it is E. radicans, the lip callus is different... I will take a look at some other species.

---------- Post added at 10:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 AM ----------

E. melinanthum seems like the best match to me.

neophyte · #7 02-23-2020, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afid

E. melinanthum seems like the best match to me.

I agree, after searching up pictures!!

Afid, what specific aspects of the flower do you look at when you are identifying a species?

Afid · #8 02-23-2020, 02:03 PM

Usually the main feature for identification is the lip (especially the callus) and column, but the overall growth habit of the plant can help a lot too, especially for narrowing epidendrums down to groups.

Dollythehun · #9 02-23-2020, 02:13 PM

Afid. Please elaborate. I can't see the difference but want to learn.

Afid · #10 02-25-2020, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Afid. Please elaborate. I can't see the difference but want to learn.

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I was going to do it right away but it slipped my mind.

If you look at this picture of E. radicans you can see the lip calli look like two small blobs on either side of a long wavy ridge. http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/epiradicans.jpg

Whereas in E. melinanthum the callus is more of a lumpy blob at the base of the lip.
http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...elinanthum.jpg

Also, E. radicans has larger and less fimbriate (fringed) lateral lobes of the lip.

Having said all that, I am still not entirely confident with the ID of E. melinanthum for this plant, if you zoom in on the flowers you can see the lip calli are a little more separate from each other (appearing as three blobs instead of one, slightly three-lobed blob like in the IOSPE photo of E. melinanthum).

Hopefully this helps clarify a little bit, if not let me know and feel free to ask any questions, I'd be happy to answer them!