[OGD] An invitation to my orchid (species) gallery

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Some of you guys might enjoy seeing photos of some of cultivated
orchid species that I grow, as well as some FL native orchids
that I've located in the wild:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/orchidpicshq.htm


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Evolution and Speciation

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 05:25 PM 7/4/2004 -0400, David S. wrote:

>On the Hawaiian island of Maui, Spathoglottis plicata is found in lots of
>places on the windward side.  It definitely is pollinated by something as
>most plants that are flowering have several seed pods forming on them.
>Here's a picture of a typical plant that someone pulled up: (URL is long and
>may wrap)
>
>http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/600max/html/starr_000919_8015_spathoglottis_plicata.htm
>
>Also in northeast Tennessee, Bletialla striata is also found to be commonly
>pollinated.  I've never seen bees or butterflies on the flowers but have
>noticed ants on them.  Perhaps this is the pollinater?

It is possible that ants could be the pollinator...or an assistant
in self-pollinating.  I had an Oeceoclades maculata, which by all
accounts is supposed to be self-pollinating...I had no pods on my 
first spike.  By the time the second spike got around to opening,
some small black ants had discovered the sticky drops of sap that
the flowers produced in abundance (not only along the joint between
the flower stem and flower, but along the outsides of the sepals
and other places).  I ended up with numerous ripening pods on that
second spike.  I have noticed something similar with Spathoglottis
plicata...at a nursery, the plants that had pods had been discovered
by ants...those that did not were ant-free.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] "Clockwork" orchids

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 09:47 AM 7/4/2004 -0700, Vanderpleuffenstein wrote:
>A friend of mine is getting married in Miami in December.  He'll be
>having his reception at his house.  I'd like to know what orchids I
>might naturalize in Miami that will bloom "like clockwork" in
>November-December.  
>
>I want to install/naturalize a couple of dozen now for the wedding
>then.

Laelia anceps might be a good choice.


---Prem
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[OGD] Habenaria rhodocheila breeding

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Does anyone know what happens if you cross a pink-form rhodocheila 
with an orange-form one?


---Prem
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[OGD] Neofinetia falcata photo

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

'nuff said... 

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/neofinetia_falcata.jpg
 

Enjoy! 

---Prem's Orchid Gallery
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[OGD] Habenaria rhodocheila breeding

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Does anyone know what happens if you cross a pink-form rhodocheila 
with an orange-form one?


---Prem
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[OGD] Habenaria rhodocheila vs. ericmichaelii

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Well,
   my pink form rhodocheila (what Eric Christenson now calls
H. ericmichaelii) is opening.  I can see some definite differences
between the flower forms, the general carriage of the plant, the
foliage, etc.  My question is this:  if the pink form of H. rhodocheila
was the basis for the description of the species and the orange form
discovered later (or perhaps lumped later into H. rhodocheila), is it
proper to separate out the type form into a new species and leave the
orange form in the original species, especially considering the fact
that the rose-lipped form is more appropriate to the specific epithet?

I would think just the obverse to be more appropriate...put the orange
form into its own species and leave the rose-lipped form in the species
in which it was originally described.

Whatever the case, as my rose-lipped form finishes opening, I will
photograph and chronicle the differences between the two.


---Prem
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[OGD] Fwd: Habenaria rhodocheila vs. ericmichaelii

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

So, will none of the taxonomists on this forum reply to my e-mail?

>Well,
>   my pink form rhodocheila (what Eric Christenson now calls
>H. ericmichaelii) is opening.  I can see some definite differences
>between the flower forms, the general carriage of the plant, the
>foliage, etc.  My question is this:  if the pink form of H. rhodocheila
>was the basis for the description of the species and the orange form
>discovered later (or perhaps lumped later into H. rhodocheila), is it
>proper to separate out the type form into a new species and leave the
>orange form in the original species, especially considering the fact
>that the rose-lipped form is more appropriate to the specific epithet?
>
>I would think just the obverse to be more appropriate...put the orange
>form into its own species and leave the rose-lipped form in the species
>in which it was originally described.



---Prem
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[OGD] re: Habenaria rhodocheila

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 02:01 PM 7/13/2004 +0200, you wrote:
>>Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 18:34:37 -0400
>>From: Prem Subrahmanyam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Subject: [OGD] Fwd: Habenaria rhodocheila vs. ericmichaelii
>>
>>So, will none of the taxonomists on this forum reply to my e-mail?
>>
>>  
>>
>>>Well,
>>>  my pink form rhodocheila (what Eric Christenson now calls
>>>H. ericmichaelii) is opening.  I can see some definite differences
>>>between the flower forms, the general carriage of the plant, the
>>>foliage, etc.  My question is this:  if the pink form of H. rhodocheila
>>>was the basis for the description of the species and the orange form
>>>discovered later (or perhaps lumped later into H. rhodocheila), is it
>>>proper to separate out the type form into a new species and leave the
>>>orange form in the original species, especially considering the fact
>>>that the rose-lipped form is more appropriate to the specific epithet?
>>>
>>>I would think just the obverse to be more appropriate...put the orange
>>>form into its own species and leave the rose-lipped form in the species
>>>in which it was originally described.
>>>
>>>
>
>Dear Prem,
>
>maybe some of us taxonomists have not always the time to deal with this 
>list.
>
>_If_ the pink form of H. rhodocheila was the basis of the description it 
>is - by definition - the type form. If the "orange form" does not differ 
>from the pink form by anything but the flower color, we have one single 
>species with two flower color variations.  Flower color difference is 
>not enough to create a separate species. To your second question:  if 
>one were to separate the species, the PINK form would have to remain H. 
>rhodocheila as it is the type form of the species . What is more 
>appropriate (for whoever) or what was discovered first is of no 
>importance. What counts is the original description of H. rhodocheila 
>... and if that states that the flower is pink ... then, as I already 
>said above, that is the real H. rhodocheila.

Well, considering that "rhodocheila" means "pink-lipped" or "rose-lipped"
when translated, one would assume that this is the type color form for
the species, if given no other information.  Several literature sources
that I've read describe a "rare, orange-colored variant", so it seems,
again, safe to assume that the pink form is the basis for the species.  
Now that I have both forms blooming simultaneously, there are significant
differences that I can see:

1. the column has two small appendages beneath the structures in
the anther that presents the tips of the pollinia to the pollinator.
In the orange form, these two appendages are straight and in a parallel
plane with the anther cap structures.  In the pink form, these recurve
strongly outward.

2. the pink form flower is, overall, about 1.5 times the size of the
orange form.  

3. the orange form spur is about 1.5 inches long and arcs toward the lip
such that the tip of the spur is very near to the base of the lip.  The
pink form spur is about 2.5 inches long and arcs back away from the flower,
placing the tip of the spur near the axis of the flowering stem.  The
orange-form spur is near-perfectly round in cross section, while the
pink form is strongly ovoid, to the point that it almost appears flat
and ribbon-like.

4. the foliage of the orange form is largely unmarked and evenly green...
there may be slight tessellations of deeper green, but they are very
non-obvious.  The foliage of the pink form is bronze in color with
silver "windows" tessellated along the center of the leaf.

5. I detected a slight fragrance this evening on the pink form...I
will try again in the morning to see if the fragrance is stronger.
The orange form, as far as I know, is entirely non-fragrant.

In any case, this is what I've observed so far.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Assuming

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 09:50 AM 7/16/2004 +0200, you wrote:
>Dear Prem,
>
>>Well, considering that "rhodocheila" means "pink-lipped" or "rose-lipped"
>>when translated, one would assume that this is the type color form for
>>the species, if given no other information. 
>No, you can't assume that ... It is posible, but you would have to check in the 
>original publication
>
>>Several literature sources
>>that I've read describe a "rare, orange-colored variant", so it seems,
>>again, safe to assume that the pink form is the basis for the species.  
>
>That is how errors (if there is one) get proliferated  ... you have to check the 
>original publication.


Well, naturally, if one were to call into question current taxonomic
research, one would have to research the original publication before
alleging anything improper.  I'm coming from the "lay person's" point
of view here, simply asking that were all these assumptions correct,
is it truly legitimate to cull off the type form of a species and
form a new species, leaving a non-type form as the last hold-out
therein.

---Prem
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[OGD] Orchid species photographs

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Habenaria erichmichaelii [aka H. rhodocheila (pink form)]:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_rhodocheila_pink.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_rhodocheila_pink_flower.jpg


Platanthera nivea:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_nivea.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_nivea_closeup.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_nivea_superzoom.jpg


Grammatophyllum scriptum v. citrinum:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/grammatophyllum_scriptum_plant.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/grammatophyllum_scriptum_citrinum_spike.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/grammatophyllum_scriptum_citrinum_flower.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/grammatophyllum_scriptum_citrinum_flower02.jpg


---Prem
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[OGD] Comparison between Hab. rhodocheila color forms

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

The pink form of Habenaria rhodocheila (which some designate as H. erichmichaelii) 
dissimilar to the orange form of the species, is nicely fragrant, smelling of oranges 
and maraschino cherries.

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_rhodocheila_pink.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_rhodocheila_pink_flower.jpg

here, for comparison, is the orange form of the species:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_rhodocheila_spike.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_rhodcheila_orange02.jpg

In the closeups, it may or may not be apparent that the small 
protuberances on the column beneath the anthers are differently
arranged.  Those on the orange form protrude straight out at 
an angle normal to the surface of the column, while the same
protuberances curl to the side with the pink form.

And here is a side-by-side photo of both forms.

The frontal view does not show much difference between the two...it's hard to tell, 
but the pink form flower is, overall, larger by a factor of around 125%:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/hab_rhodo_frontal_comparison.jpg

The profile view makes some differences much more apparent:  

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/hab_rhodo_profile_comparison.jpg

The lip is held at a different angle relative to the "cap" (composed of the dorsal 
sepal and two petals), being held at a 90 degree angle for the orange form and more 
like a 75 degree angle for the pink form.  The spur, however, is the most markedly 
different, curling under the lip in the orange form (and being only 1.5 inches long) 
and arching backward in a graceful 'S' from the lip in the pink form (and being 2.5 
inches long). 

Personally, I think there may be enough to warrant separation into
two species, but I still wonder if it shouldn't be the orange form
that gets booted out of the species.  Does anyone have access to the
original botanical description of the species?


---Prem
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RE: [OGD] Orchid species photographs

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 12:41 PM 7/20/2004 -0400, Eliot wrote:
>Prem
>
>Great pictures
>
>Could you describe your lighting and background setup and equipment 

Hi Eliot,

   You can see more of my photos here:

   http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/orchidpicshq.htm

   my setup is pretty simple.  I use a piece of black cloth (usually) as
the backdrop draped over my kitchen cabinets, although I have used a 
light grey when a flower has dark floral parts that would get lost in 
the black.  For light, I leave the overhead fluorescents on in the 
kitchen (this provides some fill lighting) and use a 500 watt quartz
halogen worklight as the primary light source.  I may also throw a 
60 watt desklamp into the shaded areas to brighten up the shadows
a little more.  I have recently gone to putting a diffuser in front
of the worklight, made of a glass cutting board that has been scored
heavily with sandpaper.  Using the worklight allows me to see 
exactly what I'm going to be photographing, as opposed to a flash,
which is only on for the instant that the subject is being photographed.

For work in the field with natives, I use a piece of black foam core
board, tilted in such a way that it is self-shadowing behind the
subject.

The camera is a Sony Mavica MVC CD400 4 megapixel camera on a tripod.
I'll play with all sorts of angles of the flower relative to the
light source and bracket my exposure, starting from purposely 
underexposed and going to purposely overexposed.  I then go through
all my shots and pick the best exposure where the highlights are
not blown out and the backdrop is reasonably invisible.  I will
then edit the photo for exposure, making sure that the levels take
the backdrop to pure black, the highlighted areas are near-white,
and the gamma is adjusted reasonably so shaded areas are not too
lost with the background.  I may also adjust the color balance a
little to more truly match the colors that I photographed.  I've
found that if you set the white balance setting properly on the
camera, this step is needed only minimally.

And that, in a nutshell, is my photography setup.  I know it
sounds very cobbled-together, but it seems to work well for me.


---Prem
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RE: [OGD] Orchid species photographs

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 06:02 PM 7/20/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>Thanks for the info.  I'll have to try some of those things.  It always
>amazes me how a simple and inexpensive system can turn out such high quality
>images.  One final thing, are you editing with Photoshop?

Either with Photoshop or Corel PhotoPaint...they have different strengths
in certain areas, so I'll swap back and forth between the two.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Why do you change the name?

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 12:59 PM 7/21/2004 +0200, you wrote:
>>--
>>
>>Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2004 12:04:55 -0400
>>From: Prem Subrahmanyam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>Subject: [OGD] Orchid species photographs
>>Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>MIME-Version: 1.0
>>Precedence: list
>>Reply-To: "the OrchidGuide Digest \(OGD\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>Message: 2
>>
>>Habenaria erichmichaelii [aka H. rhodocheila (pink form)]:
>> 
>
>Prem ...  what is the type of Habenaria rhodocheila?? ... Is it the pink form ???
>If so, you can't change the name
>
>If it is not the type, but only differs from the type by the flower colour, you can't 
>change the name also
>
>Personally, I think there may be enough to warrant separation into two species, but I 
>still wonder if it shouldn't be the orange form that gets booted out of the species. 
>Does anyone have access to the original botanical description of the species?
>
>Yes ... I have ... but that means several hours of work ... for who ... for you? ... 
>Obviously you are not a taxonomist. So don't confuse issues.
>
>If you want to do a taxonomic study, fine ... go to the university and get the 
>literature, and start from scratch, Until then, don't play taxonomy ... it is NOT a 
>game and you are doing nothing but confusing people.
>
>Who described H. rhodocheila --- look it up
>Who describes H. erichmichaelii  look it up
>
>Get the article
>Do the work ... don't ask others to do it for you
>
>And if you are not a taxonomist, keep your fingers out of it
>
>regards
>Guido
>
>Dr. Guido J. Braem

The name that I attached to my photographs is the one that I've
been told by several sources is a proposed revision to Habenaria
rhodocheila by Dr. Christenson.  Up until now, H. rhodocheila has 
been described as existing as three distinct color forms - pink, 
orange (more rarely), and yellow (very, very rarely).

Unlike you, Dr. Braem, those of us who raise orchids as a
hobby would still like to know WHAT IT IS that we're growing.  We
try to keep up with the current "in vogue" names that taxonomists
with over-blown egos constantly shuffle and reshuffle in the
hopes that they might stake some lasting claim to fame.  And with
regard to the issue of confusing people, taxonomists do this all
of their own without any help.  How many times has Epidendrum 
cochleatum been reassigned to different genera now...and all within 
the span of one lifetime?  By my count, it's five now: Epidendrum 
cochleatum -> Encyclia cochleata -> Anacheilium cochleatum -> 
Prosthechea cochleata -> Anacheilium cochleatum (in Withner's latest 
work). I don't know about you, but I find this confusing as hell 
without any help from the "non-taxonomists".

But it should be duly noted: botany is not necessarily just for 
the botanists.  Having minored in botany for my B.S. degree, 
this is certainly an avid interest of mine...because of this 
interest, I have been the first to record the ocurrence of three 
species of orchid in my county in Florida, Platanthera ciliaris, 
Platanthera flava, and Zeuxine strateumatica...these were reported 
to the biologist/field botanist at the local university who 
keeps the herbarium, and he now has specimens of all three of 
these plants in his collection, along with a specimen of an 
inflorescence of Tipularia discolor, which has been recorded in 
this county before, but he only had the hibernal vegetation in 
the collection.  

Despite your strong hopes and wishes to the contrary, science 
will be advanced not only by scientists, but by the "unwashed" 
who can be in more places than any body of scientists could ever 
be.  The simple fact is that you need us...the hobbyists and
dabblers ("meddlers" though we be).

The only references I could find to the original description of H.
rhodocheila is this:

Habenaria rhodocheila Hance 1856

and synonyms:

Habenaria militaris Rchb.f 1886; Habenaria pusila Rchb.f 1878; Habenaria xanthocheila 
Ridley 1896 

Perhaps instead of pontificating from your lofty exalted throne, you
could assist this "meddler" in pointing him in the direction where
to even begin a search for this information.  My understanding is that
the name H. erichmichalii was published by Christenson only very
recently.  Or if this is too much effort for you, perhaps someone
else of taxonomic inclination who hasn't forgotten the human trait 
of helping a fellow person could step in here.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] why do you change the name?

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 01:53 PM 7/22/2004 +, you wrote:
> well, this little argue about the possibility of changing the name of Habenaria 
> rhodocheila seems a bit useless 
>doesn't it? 
>Moreover, even if you want to, you will have to proove there is two distinct species, 
>and now, morphology is 
>not the only criterium to take in count. Genetics also play a great role.
>To find the original description, it might be useful to know where it has been first 
>published  it might be 
>conserved in a museum now, but you still can find a copy...
>actually, taxonomy at this point is not really an interest for the average 
>hobbyist... who calls it Prostechea...?
>and what you are doing with this form of habenaria is exactly what you denouce about 
>the great ego, do you 
>want to print your name? become a novelist, or then publish a paper in a scientific 
>journal...
>
>cheers.

Actually, David, it's much less lofty than that...I simply want to
make sure I have the right label on my plant (and the right name
attached to any photographs I take of it).  It was sold to me as
H. erichmichaelii by Andy's Orchids and I had an interest
in the reasoning behind the name change.  Perhaps in France, the
average hobbyist does not care about taxonomic changes (I had been
calling my clamshell orchid Prosthechea cochleata until a few weeks ago
when I found out that Withner wants to reassign it back to
Anacheilium--now I don't know what to call it), but many hobbyists
at my society are indeed interested in orchid taxonomic trends.  Perhaps
we should simply go to using common names for all our orchids "the
orchid with the clamshell-like lip", "the terrestrial orchid with the 
pink lip that has a vague man-like shape"...no, I don't think so.

Honestly, Dr. Braem had been very helpful in clarifying some basic
issues on taxonomy...it seemed like a cordial exchange of information
between an expert in taxonomy (Dr. Braem) and a mere novice (myself).  
Were the reverse to happen and Dr. Braem make an inquiry on useful 
methods for designing 3d models of orchid flowers in computer 
3d modeling/rendering software, I would've been happy to oblige and 
divulge what information I could on the subject...this is an area in 
which I would be the expert and Dr. Braem the novice.  All seemed
well in the OGD world.  

For whatever reason, there was a drastic tonal change in his response
to my mini photo essay on the differences between the two color forms
of the flowers.  Rude and insulting statements like:

"Obviously you are not a taxonomist. So don't confuse issues."

"...don't play taxonomy ... it is NOT a game and you are doing 
nothing but confusing people."

and

"And if you are not a taxonomist, keep your fingers out of it"

and even further insulting statements in subsequent posts:

"you are simply a smart alec who thinks he can do taxonomy and 
hasn't even got the slightest clue"

"...I sure as hell don't need idiots like Prem..."

implied that those of us who are not well-versed in taxonomy shouldn't
even bother...we should simply wait until the latest trends in thinking
are conferred upon us lesser individuals, which we should accept with
a sense of blind faith.  Forgive me, but I thought the concept of
"ex cathedra" went out with the Reformation and the Renaissance.  
Were this type of thinking to be wholly accepted by the scientific
community, then a large body of scientific work would never be 
done.  But this is not the case...the "amateur" will always be 
a big contributor to science, as he/she can be the eyes and ears of 
the "experts" in places where they would never have the time (or 
inclination) to go.

All I was after was a simple understanding of the classification
of the plant that is one of my favorites in my orchid collection,
and have instead been told to sit down, shut up, and just accept
things the way they are...I'm sorry, but I cannot do that...I was
born with an innate sense of curiosity and an interest in exchanging
information and ideas with others who have that same sense of
curiosity...this is one of the fundamental "graces" of humanity,
albeit one that gets lost much of the time.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Stripping the Woods

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 02:50 PM 7/26/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>There's a person on eBay called Chase's Plants & Prints from McKee, Kentucky
>that is apparently stripping the woods around them of Cypripedium acaule.
>They are offering them them in lots of up to 300 plants with fifteen lots
>available.  That's 4,500 plants!  They also appear to be stripping these
>woods of live moss also.  This area is in southeastern KY about 100 miles
>from where I live.   I think that this should almost be a criminal action as
>probably 90+% of them will die within the first year.  Is there anything
>that can be done about such a thing?   Their username says it all:
>kyatvrider (Kentucky All Terrain Vehicle Rider).  This was on their eBay
>Store info: "We sell moss for groundcover, pink lady slippers, southeastern
>gardens, ferns, blueberries, and dog woods as well as beautiful Animal Art
>Prints, My son whom is 6 helps me gather our plants and pick out the prints
>we sell."  An example of their auctions are:
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42218&item=2383101441
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4315102425
>
>David Sizemore
>Kingsport, TN (Zone 6a)

I guess it depends on what woods are being "stripped".  If it's
private property with the owner's permission or their own
property, then the removal of plants is perfectly legal in most 
states.  If it's on public lands of any kind (National Forest, National
Park, State Forest, State Park, etc. etc.), then there are usually 
laws that protect orchids and other plants that are rare, 
threatened, endangered, or of special concern due to possible 
commercial exploitation.  Even then, there may be mitigating 
circumstances, such as the construction or widening of a road
where the government agencies really couldn't care less about
what they're bulldozing over...in these cases, the taking of
plants, while technically illegal, may be morally justifiable.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Stripping the Woods

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 08:17 PM 7/26/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>>I guess it depends on what woods are being "stripped". If it's<
>>private property with the owner's permission or their own<
>>property, then the removal of plants is perfectly legal in most <
>>states. <
>
>If these plants are still part of the Paph, Phrag, Selenipedium complex,
>then they are on CITES Appendix I and 
>wild collecting of them should be a violation of CITES as well as our ESA
>and the Lacey Act.

Cypripedium are not listed as App 1, even though there are many
rare true Cyps in China, and surrounding countries.

Whatever the case, local flora are protected by state law, and most
state laws allow collecting of wild plants on private property.  Of
course, I know you said this very "tongue-in-cheek", George.


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Re: [OGD] "Stripping" of native orchids

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 07:42 PM 7/26/2004 -0700, you wrote:
>That question brought to mind one I've had for awhile - seems a good time to
>ask it.
>
>Is it illegal in any state to remove/collect *any* orchid, regardless of
>whether it is on public or private land?
>
>This speaks both to conservation efforts and private property interests - I
>am curious how they intersect in this instance.

That's a very good question...as far as I know, the only time that
there is intervention when it comes to private property in the US is for 
federally listed endangered species...for awhile, Isotria medeoloides
was put on this list, but it is my understanding that it was moved
back to "threatened" status.  No other orchid is listed on the endangered
list federally, although many states list various orchids on their
own lists, depending on how widespread a particular orchid is in 
their state.  It is my understanding that even the rarest of orchids
in Florida, such as Polyradicion/Polyrrhiza/Dendrophylax lindenii
are still collectable on private property.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Flourescent lights

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

The natives are restless and looking for sex...

The native orchids in Florida tend to bloom in two main clusters, spring and
fall, with a few blooming in summertime and a few in winter in deepest
southern Florida.  Here at the end of August and the beginning of September,
Epidendrum magnoliae may still throw a spike or two, although its main
blooming was in early summertimem and Encyclia tampensis may still have a
straggling spike at this time of year, although its chief blooming time was in
early-mid June.

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/epidendrum_magnoliae02.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/encyclia_tampensis02.jpg

but the main thrust of the summer-fall blooming is in the wetlands.  Many
species of Habenaria and the related Platanthera put forth their blooms,
making for some of the showiest displays of any of the terrestrial orchids.

But first, let's take a look at one of the less showy (and perhaps even weedy)
of the Habenarias, H. repens, aka the Water Spider Orchid.  It is one of the
few Florida orchids that could truly be considered aquatic, often growing in
standing water, and sometimes even growing in mats of floating vegetation.
The flowers are about a half inch (1.25 cm) across.  At first blush, the
structure of these flowers may be difficult to decipher, seeming to be
composed of eight floral parts.  In actuality, it is just the normal six
parts.  The dorsal and two lateral sepals form a hood and wings, respectively
and the tri-lobed lip hangs downward.  What is interesting about this flower
(and somewhat unusual for the orchid world) is that the petals are deeply
bilobed--one lobe wraps around the edge of the sepaline hood while the other
lobe juts out into the air.  The inconspicuous flowers become powerfully and
sweetly fragrant at night, belying their true pollinator--a night-flying moth.
These orchids produce numerous offshoots via stolons as well as growing from
seed, allowing them to multiply rapidly in a suitable habitat.

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_repens_spike.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_repens_closeup.jpg

We turn our attention next to the moist pinelands, savannahs, and roadsides.
It is here that two of the smaller of the Platantheras grow.  Platanthera
cristata, or the crested fringed orchid, is not a very big plant, having a
raceme of flowers usually only 2-4 inches tall on a plant that might stand up
to 30 inches tall, but it's usually a lot shorter, probably around 12 inches
in height.  Platanthera integra, or the orange fringeless orchid, is about the
same size as P. cristata, but has a more compact raceme and, true to its name,
no fringe on the lip.  Both species have flowers that are usually a bright
yellowish-orange in color:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_cristata.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_integra_01.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_integra_02.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_integra_small_spike.jpg

We now progress in size to Platanthera chapmanii (also known as P. x
chapmanii, a natural hybrid designation), which is intermediate in size
between P. cristata and the largest of the fringe orchids, P. ciliaris.  In
fact, it is considered by many to be a natural hybrid or otherwise intergrade
between the two species.  It, however, maintains stable populations in places
where both parents are absent and is elevated in some works to be a species in
its own right.  The flower is intermediate in size between the half-inch of P.
cristata and the 1-plus inch of P. ciliaris.  The petals are small, staying
sheltered under the dorsal sepalline hood.  The deeply fringed lip protrudes
below, its back end forming into a long spur (evidently to force butterflies
to probe deeply and stick their faces right into the waiting column):

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_chapmanii_0804.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_chapmanii_0804_closeup.jpg

Our final orchids are the giants of the bog.  The white fringed orchid,
Platanthera conspicua (aka P. blephariglottis v. conspicua), raises its head
of white flowers as high as three feet off the bog soil, but usually about
half that height.  The lip of the flower is around an inch long, giving the
flower a vertical span of nearly 1.5 inches.  The flower structure is similar
to P. cristata and P. chapmanii, although on a larger (and whiter) scale:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_conspicua_spike01.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_conspicua_closeup01.jpg

Our final bog orchid, Platanthera ciliaris, is the true giant of the bog, with
flowers just a touch larger than its cousin, P. conspicua/blephariglottis.
The flower head itself can be up to 8 inches tall and carry up to 60 buds and
flowers.  It's usually a bit smaller than that, but when one sees an
impressive specimen at near its full height, the experience cannot be
forgotten:

htt

[OGD] the natives are restless

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

The natives are restless and looking for sex...

The native orchids in Florida tend to bloom in two main clusters, spring and
fall, with a few blooming in summertime and a few in winter in deepest
southern Florida.  Here at the end of August and the beginning of September,
Epidendrum magnoliae may still throw a spike or two, although its main
blooming was in early summertimem and Encyclia tampensis may still have a
straggling spike at this time of year, although its chief blooming time was in
early-mid June.

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/epidendrum_magnoliae02.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/encyclia_tampensis02.jpg

but the main thrust of the summer-fall blooming is in the wetlands.  Many
species of Habenaria and the related Platanthera put forth their blooms,
making for some of the showiest displays of any of the terrestrial orchids.

But first, let's take a look at one of the less showy (and perhaps even weedy)
of the Habenarias, H. repens, aka the Water Spider Orchid.  It is one of the
few Florida orchids that could truly be considered aquatic, often growing in
standing water, and sometimes even growing in mats of floating vegetation.
The flowers are about a half inch (1.25 cm) across.  At first blush, the
structure of these flowers may be difficult to decipher, seeming to be
composed of eight floral parts.  In actuality, it is just the normal six
parts.  The dorsal and two lateral sepals form a hood and wings, respectively
and the tri-lobed lip hangs downward.  What is interesting about this flower
(and somewhat unusual for the orchid world) is that the petals are deeply
bilobed--one lobe wraps around the edge of the sepaline hood while the other
lobe juts out into the air.  The inconspicuous flowers become powerfully and
sweetly fragrant at night, belying their true pollinator--a night-flying moth.
These orchids produce numerous offshoots via stolons as well as growing from
seed, allowing them to multiply rapidly in a suitable habitat.

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_repens_spike.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/habenaria_repens_closeup.jpg

We turn our attention next to the moist pinelands, savannahs, and roadsides.
It is here that two of the smaller of the Platantheras grow.  Platanthera
cristata, or the crested fringed orchid, is not a very big plant, having a
raceme of flowers usually only 2-4 inches tall on a plant that might stand up
to 30 inches tall, but it's usually a lot shorter, probably around 12 inches
in height.  Platanthera integra, or the orange fringeless orchid, is about the
same size as P. cristata, but has a more compact raceme and, true to its name,
no fringe on the lip.  Both species have flowers that are usually a bright
yellowish-orange in color:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_cristata.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_integra_01.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_integra_02.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_integra_small_spike.jpg

We now progress in size to Platanthera chapmanii (also known as P. x
chapmanii, a natural hybrid designation), which is intermediate in size
between P. cristata and the largest of the fringe orchids, P. ciliaris.  In
fact, it is considered by many to be a natural hybrid or otherwise intergrade
between the two species.  It, however, maintains stable populations in places
where both parents are absent and is elevated in some works to be a species in
its own right.  The flower is intermediate in size between the half-inch of P.
cristata and the 1-plus inch of P. ciliaris.  The petals are small, staying
sheltered under the dorsal sepalline hood.  The deeply fringed lip protrudes
below, its back end forming into a long spur (evidently to force butterflies
to probe deeply and stick their faces right into the waiting column):

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_chapmanii_0804.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_chapmanii_0804_closeup.jpg

Our final orchids are the giants of the bog.  The white fringed orchid,
Platanthera conspicua (aka P. blephariglottis v. conspicua), raises its head
of white flowers as high as three feet off the bog soil, but usually about
half that height.  The lip of the flower is around an inch long, giving the
flower a vertical span of nearly 1.5 inches.  The flower structure is similar
to P. cristata and P. chapmanii, although on a larger (and whiter) scale:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_conspicua_spike01.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/platanthera_conspicua_closeup01.jpg

Our final bog orchid, Platanthera ciliaris, is the true giant of the bog, with
flowers just a touch larger than its cousin, P. conspicua/blephariglottis.
The flower head itself can be up to 8 inches tall and carry up to 60 buds and
flowers.  It's usually a bit smaller than that, but when one sees an
impressive specimen at near its full height, the experience cannot be
forgotten:

htt

Re: [OGD] Weird terrestrials

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

well, I can tell you that the "is this an orchid" photo isn't...you
can see the pistil and stamens separate in the closeup shot...my
guess is some member of the mint family.

That bluish Cleistes is the bomb!

I would guess the second "Habenaria species, Minas Gerais" is actually
a spiranthine...perhaps a species of Stenorrhynchos.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Weird terrestrials

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

well, I can tell you that the "is this an orchid" photo isn't...you
can see the pistil and stamens separate in the closeup shot...my
guess is some member of the mint family.

That bluish Cleistes is the bomb!

---Prem
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Re: [OGD] bluish Cleistes the BOMB

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 11:06 AM 8/30/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>Dear Brian, Prem and OGD's,
>The Bluish Cleistes was growing along with what I assume to be Cleistes limbonii
>http://www.orchidspecies.com/cleilimbonii.htm
>At elevations around 500 meters in cooler, shady wet montane forest along the side of 
>the road in Sao Paulo State Brazil. It was quite a sight to see. there were 30 or so 
>plants along 50' of highway and only one had this appearance all the others were like 
>C limbonii. These flowers were at least 4 to 5" across. An interesting sidenote, 
>Ceistes do not have pollina they have a powder that releases when something touches 
>the column. The female part is not a hole but a raspy rough area along the bottom of 
>the extreme back of the lip area. Marcos, my guide there in Brazil seems to think 
>that Cleistes is a prehistoric forerunner to modern Orchids.
>Thanks to all that have helped me with my unknown terrestrials.
>I will give a list of the names later today.
>Jay Pfahl

I will agree on the pollen being mealy...not adhering in pollinia, but
they are definitely true orchids.  With Pogonia ophioglossoides and
Cleistes divaricata, the stigmatic surface is just behind the anther
and is a sticky disc...it doesn't form a depression as in many other
orchids, but it wasn't more difficult to find than the stigma on a 
Cattleya, for instance.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Flowers not emerging from sheath.

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 08:52 PM 9/13/2004 +, you wrote:
>For the past 2-3 years the inflorescences on my catttleyas have barely gotten out of 
>the sheath before the buds open http://www.orchidtrek.com/sheath2.JPG and 
>http://www.orchidtrek.com/sheath1.JPG
>
>This year I've been very good about using a balanced fertilizer with micronutirents 
>and taking better care of my orchids in general, but the flowers still don't emerge 
>from the sheath.  If anything they are getting worse.  The plant pictured is Lc Royal 
>Emperor x Blc Jeremy Island, but it really doesn't matter what catt we are talking 
>about.  This year only my coeureans have grown a decent spike.
>
>Why do they do this?  What am I doing wrong?  Are they just trying to tick me off?

It's probably just a function of genetics...genes that control the sheath
length making too much sheath for the flower stem.  There are two possible
means of correcting this:

1. peel back the sheath so that the flower is not trapped in the tip of
the sheath.

2. when you see buds growing up inside the sheath, move the plant to a
shadier locale.  Any plant growth in shade will tend to be longer due 
to lack of auxin destruction by bright light.  Hence, your flower stems
may grow a little longer and clear the sheath.  They might, however,
also be thinner, so be prepared to stake them to prevent the stem from
snapping under the increasing weight of the developing buds.


---Prem
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[OGD] Florida Native Orchids Gallery and 2005 Calendar

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

I have just updated my FL native orchid gallery and just
completed work on a 2005 FL natives calendar:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics/natives_gallery/index.htm


---Prem
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[OGD] Re: Pecteilis susannae

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

One thing I was wondering about regarding this orchid...if indeed it 
needs fire to come back strong the next year, could this not be done
artificially?  If it's just a heat-related issue, could you train an
electric blowdryer on the surface of the soil for a few minutes (with
perhaps a temp gauge to make sure that you don't cook the soil too much)?
If it's related to the by-products of burning vegetation, could you
sink the pot into the ground, cover that patch of ground with hay and
then burn it?  If fire is truly an issue in the successful growth of
this plant, I wonder if we can't give it the fire (or warm temps) that
it needs.


---Prem
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[OGD] New 2005 Species Orchid Calendar Available

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

I have compiled a 2005 wall calendar featuring my species orchid photography.

http://www.cafepress.com/speciesorchs006

this is in addition to the FL native orchids calendar posted earlier: 

http://www.cafepress.com/nativeorchs001


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Effects of coloured glass

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 09:30 AM 11/15/2004 +1000, you wrote:
>Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 13:56:06 -0600
>From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Susan wrote:
>I received a request from an architecture student asking about the effects of
>coloured glass in a greenouse.  Does anyone know a source of information on
>the effects this might have?  Here's the full request:
>
>"Hello. I am an architecture student at the Rhode Island School of
>Design. We have been given an assignment to design a greenhouse for
>orchids. I have a question about growing orchids that may affect my
>design. I was wondering if colored glass would affect the amount of
>sunlight used for growing orchids significantly. I know different
>species require different amounts of sunlight but am curious as to
>whether color filtering can be used to control light. In other words,
>will different frequencies of the color spectrum enable me to control
>the amount of light that enters my greenhouse? Thank you for taking the
>time to read this. I hope to hear from you soon."
>
>
>Susan Taylor
>Orchids Editor at BellaOnline
>
>Hi Susan
>I would have tought that his most useful resource would be his School library.
>Most all libraries are connected to various databases these days and can
>search topics easily.
>
>Colin Hamilton
>Webmaster
>Australian Orchid Council/"OrchidsAustralia"
>Rockhampton, Qld. Australia
>www.orchidsaustralia.com
>I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
>--Rita Rudner
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Well, photosynthesis occurs primarily at two points of the spectrum
of visible light...one peak is in the red area while the other is
in the blue region.  Any use of colored tinting on greenhouse 
glass could reduce the effective light strength in these regions
and thus inadvertently reduce the plants' ability to make food.

I would personally recommend against using tinting.  If one needs
a reduction in light levels, shadecloth is probably preferable.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Tissue cultured paphs etc

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 09:14 PM 11/15/2004 +1100, you wrote:
>Paphs are one of the few orchids left that requires TIME to obtain that piece 
>of something special. Everything else is almost an overnite wait.
>Lets hope that full on tissue culture of them never succeeds.
>Lets leave something sacred.

Why on earth would anyone wish this to be the case?  This seems to be
nothing more than holding on to tradition for tradition's sake. 


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Question about two Cattleya species

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 07:51 AM 11/25/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>"Mike" recently posted a question about two Cattleya species for which I also 
>have waiting for a reply -- I also find the photos and illustrations very 
>similar.. Although one species is found in Colombia, and other in Venezuela, I 
>also wonder what the significant differences are,
> 
>Richard Orr, Monroe, CT
> 
>Mike
>Hi folk,
>Question 1 :
>I have two Cattleyas flowering now. One is labelled as Cattleya
>gaskelliana and the other as Cattleya mendelii. They both look the same or at 
>the very least similar.
>How do I know/ tell the difference between these two species? If I look at 
>photos in books and on the Internet I cannot tell the difference.

In some cases, there may not be an incredible difference between some
of the labiate Cattleya species...this is why they were considered to
be variants of one species for many years.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Evolution of Ludisia

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 03:37 PM 12/15/2004 -0600, you wrote:
>I have to agree with one of my colleagues when he said,  "I agree that
>religion is important in society but I reject the underlying premises."  Go
>Darwin.
>
>Speaking of the evolution of orchids, I am familiar with the co-evolutionary
>pollination strategies which account for the structures of many orchid
>flowers.  However, I have never seen an explanation for the twisting of the
>anther and lip in Ludisia discolor.  I assume this is also a co-evolutionary
>feature relating to a pollination strategy.  Could anybody explain the
>uncommon lack of symmetry in the flower of this species?  Dave   

while I cannot speak to the advantage of having an off-axis lip in Ludisia,
I can speak to the fact that there are other orchids with asymmetrical
flowers...many Mormodes have twisted flowers.  Also, Tipularia discolor,
native to the eastern United States, has asymmetrical flowers with the lip
askew one direction and the dorsal sepal and petals skewed the other
direction.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Re: twisted flowers (was Evolution of Ludisia)

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 10:22 PM 12/15/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>Prem wrote:
>>Also, Tipularia discolor,
>>native to the eastern United States, has asymmetrical flowers with the lip
>>askew one direction and the dorsal sepal and petals skewed the other
>>direction.
>
>
>I seem to recall reading that T. discolor is pollinated by moths, and the 
>skewed flower ensures that the pollinia are deposited on the insect's compound 
>eye.  A symmetrical flower would lead to the pollen being deposited on the 
>moth's scaley forehead, where it would not stick well.
>
>Can't recall where I read it, so I don't know if it is true.  I'd be curious 
>to know if Tipularia flowers always skew the same direction.  If not, and if 
>the direction is under genetic control, it could be a mechanism for 
>reproductive isolation and, ultimately, speciation.
>
>Nick
>-- 
>Nicholas Plummer
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] 

It's been awhile since I've seen Tipularia flowers in person (which is
why I've gone on several scouting hikes this winter to locate and flag
locations of hibernal leaves), but my recollection is that the
skewing being left- or right-handed is a per-flower variable, not a per-
plant variable.


---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Angraecum sesquipedale blooming season

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 10:37 PM 2/20/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>I have an Angraecum sesquipedale seedling that is in bud for the first time, 
>and at the rate the bud is developing, it will probably flower in late March.  
>I had been under the impression that A. sesquipedale blooms in December, but I 
>also have a vague recollection of reading that there may be two forms, one of 
>which blooms in Spring.  Can anyone confirm whether that is true?  If there 
>are two forms, are they different varieties or subspecies?

Your recollection is correct; however, I do not know if they are considered
different varieties or subspecies or just two slightly different forms...
I'm sure there are some taxonomists somewhere who are anxious to separate
out the two based on some difference and gain the notoriety of creating 
the name for this new species.


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Re: [OGD] fire-grown orchids, in Australia.

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 03:21 PM 3/2/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>Someone tell me about these plants that are adapted to fire, and how burning 
>them promotes population of the rare orchid species. Just
>curious.
>
>ST

Same thing happens in the pine lowlands in the southeast US...the native
orchids really need their habitat to be open...frequent low-intensity
fires (such as prescribed burns) keep competing vegetation in check.
I have watched one population of orchids near my home where the 
vegetation was not cut or burned back...that colony of orchids eventually
went extinct.


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Re: [OGD] We're going buggy

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 11:47 AM 3/12/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>Can anyone help us eradicate a tiny (fraction of a millimeter) black beetle 
>that is infesting our greenhouse?  To the naked eye they look like large 
>grains of soot.  They appear beetle-like under a jeweler's loop.  Sevin seems 
>to kill colonies that appear on flower buds, but they reappear on the next 
>plant with buds.  There is no clear sign that they do damage, but they're 
>certainly not an enhancement to beauty.
>Peter and Marie

thrips? perhaps?


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Re: [OGD] unnamed rare orchid in Tennessee

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 02:08 PM 4/7/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>"Four Nature Conservancy preserves that include ... a rare orchid are being 
>transferred to the state"
>
>source : 
>http://tennessean.com/local/archives/05/03/67934357.shtml?Element_ID=67934357
>
>Which rare orchid is it :
>Cypripedium acaule
>Platanthera integrilabia
>or else ?

Just a quick bit of googling netted this page:

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/news/release/2005/Apr/NatureCons.php

looks like it's Cyp. reginae which is the rare orchid...it's not rare
over its entire range, but it only makes a tentative foray into 
Tennessee.


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Re: [OGD] re growing North American terrestrials

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 11:10 AM 4/15/2005 -0400, you wrote:


>***
>What have been your successes and failures with North American terrestrials
>?
>How long have you been able to grow a North American terrestrial before it 
>died ?
>Any species your would recommend that, properly grown, should last 'forever'
>?
>
>***

I have had pretty good success with many of the acid bog-loving 
terrestrials (rescues from construction and other human activity).
You have to make sure that they stay moist at all times and get 
full sunlight.  If grown in pots, they should be protected from 
extreme cold (such that it would freeze through the pot - temps
of 20 degrees F or lower).  

The one orchid that I would most heartily recommend is Pogonia
ophioglossoides.  It is nearly impossible to keep it too moist, so
setting the pot in a shallow dish of water and keeping it filled will
keep this orchid happy.  It also has the lovely habit of reproducing
vegetatively, so the number of flowering stems of a properly grown
plant will increase over the years...sort of like a terrestrial
pleurothallid.

Here is a photo of Dr. Wil Neptune's plant... all those growths
are from one original individual:

http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/pogoophisioglossa.jpg


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Re: [OGD] Norberthiana gracilis?

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 12:46 PM 4/22/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>Dearests
>(maybe by using endearing terms I will avoid the flames!)
>I just got myself a little little keiki of a little little beauty that is
>supposed to be Norberthiana gracilis.
>The trouble is that I can find no information about it in Google, Yahoo or
>Copernic.
>Thus I humbly  ask the OGD.
>TY
>julie, caracas

The genus is misspelled...it's Neobenthamia.


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Re: [OGD] Orchids in SW Florida Swamps

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 09:34 AM 5/3/2005 +1000, you wrote:

>***
>Maybe I am a pessimist but I can't help thinking that re-introduction into the 
>wild will only provide new stocks for the poachers.

It is my understanding that one of the longer-term goals of the project
is to offer reasonably priced, lab-raised versions of these wild orchids
for purchase to the general public.


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Re: [OGD] Isotria medeoloides / development (Virginia)

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 08:41 PM 5/19/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>More info on Isotria medeoloides / public-utilities project on hold in 
>Virginia, US :
>
>"waiting for the flower to bloom so a plant expert can determine the true 
>identity of the plants...
>
>"My hope is it's not there at all," public works director Alan Harrison said. 
>"It will make life a lot easier on everybody."
>
>Last fall, the state said that the federally threatened species could exist on 
>seven sites where New Kent County plans to run water and sewer lines in an 
>attempt to attract business development...
>
>"We are positively insane in this country to go to this length to protect 
>something," said Steve Haner, vice president for public policy for the 
>Virginia Chamber of Commerce. "What you've got here is an example of a 
>potentially good idea that's absolutely run amok, that they would hold up a 
>project like that over a plant that just might be there and they're not even 
>sure it's the same plant. I mean, c'mon. It's just silly."

I, for one, am glad to see the government entities attempting to take
care of their natural resources for a change.  Too often, here in Florida,
you see government-initiated projects (road widenings, mowing of roadsides,
other construction) that takes no regard of any protected orchid or other
plant species that may be inhabiting that area.  

Just the other day, I was driving through an area in southern
Florida where I knew lots of Encyclia tampensis to be growing.  
To my dismay, they were widening that highway from a two-lane to 
a four-lane, and you could see that a lot of swampland had been 
razed to the ground and burned for the widening to take place.  
Many Enc. tampensis and likely Epi. magnoliae met their end in this project.
The irony is that if someone had been collecting the same plants a
month or two prior to the widening and someone knowledgeable had caught
him/her, that person would have been fined and or jailed for his/her
actions.  It seems that in Florida, the main reason we have laws
protecting orchids is to allow the government to raise a little more
revenue so they can use it to mow down the same orchids in their
construction projects.


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Re: [OGD] Blc. x Epi.?

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 10:06 PM 5/26/2005 -0400, you wrote:
> Please, what is a cross between a Blc. (Helen Brown)  and an Epi. (ciliare)
>called?
>TYK
>julie, caracas

Used to be known as a Yamadaara, but apparently Adamara has precedence as
a nothogenus according to the Sept-Nov 2003 orchid hybrid list from RHS.

According to the RHS on-line database, this grex has not yet been
registered.


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Re: [OGD] Cranichis muscosa / Florida

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

There was an article in Orchids (i.e. the AOS digest) recently about 
this find.

At 10:03 AM 6/4/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>FYI :
>
>"a swamp in eastern Collier County...
>
>An orchid species, not reported in the United States since 1905, was growing 
>on the top of a moss-covered log floating in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve 
>State Park.
>...
>Cranichis muscosa, more commonly known as the "moss-loving orchid,"...
>[see a photo : http://mas.scripps.com/NPDN/2005/05/31/N-MossOrchid01_e.jpg]




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Re: [OGD] orchids rediscovered in Florida

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 07:02 AM 6/18/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>FYI :
>
>"The mossy helmet was one of three orchids rediscovered in South Florida since 
>January, 2004. ... two of the three in the preserve [Fakahatchee Strand 
>Preserve State Park] ; the third was found in Everglades National Park."
>
>source [including a quote from our colleague, Andy Easton] :
>
>http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/11925385.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_state

As an aside, the Mossy Helmet is Cranichis muscosa (I hate when the
scientific name is not mentioned speedily)...you can find another
article about this find here:

http://www.friendsoffakahatchee.org/lostcentury.htm

it also appeared in a recent article in Orchids (i.e. the AOS bulletin).


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Re: [OGD] Having trouble with Bulbophyllum moniliforme aka Bulb. minutissimum

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 07:23 PM 2/18/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>I have a problem with one of my orchids, Bulbophyllum moniliforme (Also known 
>as Bulbophyllum minutissimum). I've tried growing it on moss (it quickly 
>starts to dry out) and can only grow it sitting in a tiny plate filled with 
>water in the size of a small puddle. It gets fertilizer once a month. How can 
>I grow this thing in a more permanent setting and what culture conditions does 
>it need. There must be some trick to growing this thing. Any advice would be 
>appreciated.
>
>  From,
>  Cassandra Cranmer

What I'd like to know is where one can get obtain either one of these
species here in the United States.  

With regards to culture, I wonder if culture in a Wardian case might not
be a good way to ensure good humidity in the periods between watering.


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Re: [OGD] Help needed with ID

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Den. moschatum.  Nice find!

At 12:42 PM 7/4/2006 -0700, nancy wrote:



>Greetings -
>This division was among some given to me a couple of
>years ago. I did not write down the name, because I
>was sure I'd remember. Well, my memory said Dendrobium
>parishii, which it surely is not. When it turned out
>to be *not* deciduous (even though I water-starved it
>in winter), I thought perhaps it was a reed-stem
>epidendrum; that also seems incorrect.
>I believe it is a species; the person who gave it to
>me pretty much sticks to species plants.
>Sadly, it is mounted on a small cork square. The canes
>are about 18" (.5m), no aerial roots, slightly
>pubescent. Flowers are about 2" (50mm), vivid yellow,
>with a slightly pouched lip - the lip may have a
>slight fringe as the flowers finish opening. Scent of
>melted wax.
>http://flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/181795200/
>http://flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/181795203/
>http://flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/181795201/
>Can anyone hazard a guess?
>Thanks - Nancy
>
>
>
>Voici mon secret. Il est très simple : 
>on ne voit bien qu'avec le c½ur. 
>L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.
>---Antoine de St Exupéry, _Le petit Prince_
>
>__
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
>http://mail.yahoo.com 
>
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Re: [OGD] Phrag besseae photo link

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 06:13 PM 9/4/2006 -0400, you wrote:
> 
>Sorry I forgot to include a link to a photo of P besseae in situ
>http://travel.webshots.com/photo/343581987/2816448500030551835oovwAN
>
>Sandy Hardy
>Savannah, GA

wonderful photos!  BTW, Need ID 10 is Campylocentrum micranthum or a 
related species.


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[OGD] 2007 Florida Native Orchid Calendars and Gear!

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these calendars and gear will be 
donated to the Native Orchids Restoration Project (NORP).

Just in time for the holidays and the new year, I have released a new version 
of my Florida native orchids calendar at my Cafepress store:

http://www.cafepress.com/wildorchs002

this calendar features all new photographs, as well as photographs of six 
species not included in my original calendar (Ionopsis utricularoides, 
Platanthera chapmanii, the super-rare Floridian Isotria verticillata, Listera 
australis, Calopogon barbatus, and Zeuxine strateumatica). You can also 
purchase versions of my original calendar here:

http://www.cafepress.com/nativeorchs001

Finally, I have released the first of a series of native orchid t-shirts 
featuring our favorite Calopogon tuberosus. You can purchase these here:

http://www.cafepress.com/calopogon01

Cafe Press has reduced the price of these calendars by 20% until Dec 3rd.

Enjoy!
---Prem 


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Re: [OGD] Species Lost

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

All is not necessarily lost.  Some wild terrestrials will transplant readily
while others will not.  Let's hope these plants fall into the former
group.


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Re: [OGD] request for south Florida orchid habitats to visit

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples, FL is a must-see place.

---Prem

At 06:34 PM 5/13/2008 -0500, Brian O'Brien wrote:
>Hello All,
>I'm taking a trip to Miami later this month, and a big part of 
>the plan is to visit the Fakahatchee/Big Cypress areas of 
>southwestern Florida, along with the Everglades.  I would appreciate 
>any advice that some of you could provide with specific spots that 
>would be good to visit for viewing native orchid species, along with 
>plants that you might expect to be in flower then.
>Replies can be made outside of the orchids list to 
>[EMAIL PROTECTED], unless you think that they might be of general 
>interest to other list members.
>
>Thanks,
>Brian
>
>--
>Brian A. O'Brien, Department of Chemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College
>800 West College Avenue, Saint Peter, Minnesota  56082  U.S.A.
>e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>tel. (507)933-7310 fax (507)933-7041 
>
>
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Re: [OGD] Louisiana (US)

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 10:27 AM 6/2/2008 -0400, you wrote:
>...
>Most of the orchid species that are native to Louisiana... are terrestrial...
>one native epiphytic orchid in South Louisiana, the fly speck orchid 
>(Epidendrum conopseum)
>...

That has to be the first time ever that I've heard our native Green Fly Orchid 
(Epidendrum magnoliae - formerly known as E. conopseum) called the Fly Speck 
Orchid.


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[OGD] Ghosts of the Fakahatchee

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

The weekend of June 28-29th, I had the privilege of attending not one, but two 
different trips into the Fakahatchee to see ghost orchids 
(Dendrophylax/Polyrrhiza/Polyradicion lindenii) in the wild.  It was an 
experience of a lifetime!  The first day was hosted by Larry Roberts of 
http://www.myfloridawildlife.com whom I had met at Myakka River State Park 
quite by accident a few weeks prior as we were both photographing the same 
Encyclia tampensis.  The second day was hosted by Chris and Misti Little of 
http://www.ghostorchid.info .  In addition to ghost orchids, we saw Cyrtopodium 
polyphyllum (an escapee into the FL wilds, but probably planted deliberately at 
Fakahatchee) and Vanilla phaeantha both in flower, as well as many other 
epiphytes not yet in flower.

Here are a few of the ghost photographs taken during this trip.  More orchids 
to follow on another day:

http://www.flnativeorchids.com/natives_gallery/dendrophylax_lindenii.htm

Enjoy!

---Prem
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Re: [OGD] Searching for seed: Dendrophylax funalis x lindenii

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 02:44 PM 7/14/2008 +, you wrote:
>Hi,
> 
>I'm looking for the following primary hybrid: Dendrophylax (funalis Cayman 
>Islands form x lindenii pollen from recent superior Everglades blooming plant).
> 
>Bonaventure 

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has produced this hybrid, known as Polyphylax 
Gripp's Ghost (it's probably been changed now to Dendrophylax Gripp's Ghost).  
I don't know if they have any available or not:

www.sborchid.com

I remember they had one plant of this up for auction some time ago...it was 
pricey.


Prem Subrahmanyam
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The Florida Native Orchids Website 


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Re: [OGD] Virus and orchid pollen

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 07:41 AM 7/26/2008 +1000, you wrote:
>HI all 
>Want to do some breeding with some older rare Laelia anceps varieties, but 
>feel one of them is virused
>
>Does any one have an opinion on the transmission of virus through pollen?
>
>Kind Regards,
>
>Wayne Turville
>Australian Orchid Nursery

This one article seems to indicate that it is possible:

http://members.optushome.com.au/bdobson/Virus%20in%20Orchids.html

---Prem

Prem Subrahmanyam
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The Florida Native Orchids Website 


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[OGD] Updates to the Florida Native Orchids site...

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

I have recently updated the Platanthera ciliaris, Encyclia tampensis, 
Dendrophylax lindenii and Harrisella porrecta pages on my site with new photos 
and better copy.  You can see all of these and more from the native orchid 
gallery central hub:

http://www.flnativeorchids.com/natives_gallery/index.htm
 

Enjoy! 
---Prem 
www.flnativeorchids.com  


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Re: [OGD] Off topic: Help me identify a weed?

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 09:13 AM 8/31/2008 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>
>I have an attractive looking weed I'd like to identify.  Photos are posted
>on my blog.  Anyone know what this thing is?
>
>http://sapphirechild.blogspot.com/
>
>Thanks,
>Julia

Hi Julia,
   your general geographic location might help folks narrow down the search for 
your weed.


Prem Subrahmanyam
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The Florida Native Orchids Website 


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[OGD] Pteroglossaspis pottsii - a fairly new orchid to science.

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

As some of you may know, Pteroglossaspis pottsii is an orchid species fairly 
new to science, and it grows right here in Florida.  I have had the privilege 
of visiting and photographing this endangered orchid in its habitat for two 
years now.

While previously on my site as part of a photo essay, I now have created the 
official Pteroglossaspis pottsii gallery page, enhanced with new photos from 
2008 (including an interesting greyscale treatment that I may do more of if it 
seems well-received.)  You can see the photos and read more about this orchid 
here:

http://www.flnativeorchids.com/natives_gallery/pteroglossaspis_pottsii.htm

---Prem

Prem Subrahmanyam
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The Florida Native Orchids Website 


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Re: [OGD] Pteroglossaspis pottsii - a fairly new orchid to science

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

At 04:23 PM 9/21/2008 +0200, you wrote:
>Hi Prem,
>
>thanks for this post, the species was unknown to me. The first thing
>that struck me was the labelum in the photo in the bottom centre
>(extreme flower closeup) ... striking resemblance to our Serapias here
>in Europe. Is it known what insect pollinates this species ?
>
>regards,
>Fred

Hi Fred,
   Serapias is a member of the Orchidoid subtribe, while Pteroglossaspis is a 
member of the Cymbidioid subtribe, so there's quite a gap, relationally, 
between them.  The flower shape definitely does look similar.  I do not know if 
a specific pollinator for this species has been identified, although it seems 
apparent from field observations that it definitely requires pollination 
assistance, as the capsule-to-flower ratio is not incredibly high.

---Prem

Prem Subrahmanyam
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The Florida Native Orchids Website 


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[OGD] Platythelys querceticola

[Prem Subrahmanyam]

Following are some links to a photo that I took of P. querceticola during my 
August trip to Goethe State Forest in Levy County.

Platythelys querceticola (listed in Luer as Erythrodes querceticola) is a 
rather small Florida native orchid and member of the Spiranthine subtribe.  It 
is probably most similar to the various "jewel orchids" such as Anoectochilus 
and Haemaria/Ludisia.  Plants consist of a proportionately long stem with clear 
green, clasping, tear-drop shaped leaves alternating up the stem.  They bear a 
strong resemblance to dayflower or small "wandering jew" plants.  The imaged 
inflorescence is approximately 1.5 inches tall:

http://www.flnativeorchids.com/images/orchids/platythelys_querceticola/Platythelys_spike_closeup.jpg

and, just to show the actual level of detail that I managed to capture of these 
just-a-few-millimeter-wide flowers:

http://www.flnativeorchids.com/images/orchids/platythelys_querceticola/Platythelys_flower_closeup_detail.jpg
 

---Prem
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