Scaphyglottis radiata

[nancy]

Greetings -
The plant is more like a clump of grass than an orchid, but the growth habit is attractive, and the flowers are cute (or would be, if I could see them!). Not a demanding plant, but not showy, either!
It was labeled'radiata' which I cannot find referenced anywhere; additionally, not sure which family would claim it. So here it is in the 'lookie-lookie' area.
Regards - Nancy

[Rosim_in_BR]

Nice! I like it! Scaphyglottis form large hanging clumps here in the wild. Although small, the flowers are cute.

[shakkai]

Another really interesting one, Nancy. Looks like it could be: IOSPE PHOTOS

I have one that was sold as Scaphyglottis violacea, which is now a syn. for Scaphyglottis graminifolia, however, the leaves on mine are even more 'grasslike' than what is show for that species. It hasn't flowered yet, so I haven't been able to confirm ID.

[nancy]

Hi Shakkai - thanks for the link - the more common species are much easier to identify, aren't they? But, of course, after reading the description of the plant in IOSPE stipitate pseudobulbs partially enveloped basally by a few, imbricate, scarious, triangular sheaths carrying 2, apical, suberect, linear, obtuse, conduplicate below into the base leaves with a bilobed apex well, I'm stumped! Clear as mud!
I do wish that the photo sites would display more of the plant itself: a little more of a clue as to the relative size of the plant in relation to the flowers, etc.
Cheers - Nancy

[shakkai]

Nancy... Have a look on Flickr. There are several species there where people have better photos sometimes showing the whole plant.

Flickr: Search

I tend to always have to look up half the words in the descriptions!! They always seem clear as mud to me...

stipitate - A supporting stalk or stemlike structure
basally - at the bottom
imbricate - Having regularly arranged, overlapping edges
scarious - Thin, membranous, and dry
apical - located at the apex
suberect - not standing up straight
linear - straight
obtuse - blunt, not sharp
conduplicate - Folded together lengthwise
bilobed - divided into two lobels

I guess its true - a picture is worth a thousand words!!

[nancy]

After looking at all the flickr photos, I'd say that *all* the other species are somewhat prettier than mine - HAH!

[shakkai]

Nancy, I wouldn't say that!! Your's is a cutie. And at least your's has flowered! Mine hasn't done anything but grow a couple new pseudobulbs.

[nancy]

Hello shakkai - the vendor I bought this from said he didn't know what the flowers were like; at the next show, I brought him an enlarged photo - my theory: flowers were too small to see!