The name Macropodiella pellucida was recently proposed as the smallest
orchid...problem is, its not an orchid! They are members of the
Podostemaceae ("river-weeds", including Tristichaceae of some authors) are
the largest family of strictly aquatic angiosperms.My understanding of the three smallest orchid species (on plant size) are: 1. Platystele jungermannioides from Costa Rica 2. Bulbophyllum globuliforme from Australia 3. Bulbophyllum minutissimum from Australia B. globuliforme is a smaller plant than its sister species B. minutissimum (which were recently reclassified into the genus Oncophyllum), but has larger blooms on taller flower stems. They are both significantly smaller in plant size than the New Zealand species B. pygmaeum, which I have been fortunate enough to have seen in the wild on the North Island of NZ. As a matter of interest, an article on these three species (with photos) will appear in an upcoming issue of the Australian Orchid Review. I would suspect that the "smallest individual orchid flower" mantle would probably go to an Oberonia species. Again Australia has a couple of candidates in O. carnosa and O. palmicola, Norfolk Island has the true O. titania, and PO'B probably knows of a few Southeast Asian members to throw into the melting pot! David P Banks Manager: Hills District Orchids Editor: Australian Orchid Review please note new email address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
