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Bulbophyllum species

Discussion in 'Orchid Identification Section' started by pearson, Jun 4, 2012.

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  1. pearson

    pearson New Member

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    I have had this Bulbophyllum for about 9 months now and it is sending out two spikes each with an umbel of flowers. The leaves are about 3 inches long and sit atop a 1 inch pseudobulb. The spikes are very thin and wiry. Flowers look like they will be white with some purple, but maybe it is too soon to tell. Any guesses as to the species would be appreciated. I am sorry about the poor image quality, I know it does not make identifying this orchid any easier. I will post a better photo when I am able. Thanks
    photo.JPG bulbo1.JPG
     
  2. pearson

    pearson New Member

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    the bloom has opened up a bunch since the last post. i wish i could take a better photo for you all. my best guess is Bulbophyllum makoyanum.
    photo2.JPG
     
  3. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    With the new image, I'm certain it isn't Bulbophyllum makoyanum. There are a lot of plants in the trade labeled as such, but all that I have seen are the hybrid between makoyanum and aureum.

    If you google Bulbophyllum makoyanum you will find quite a few discussions of the confusion between the two. Sorry I can't be of more help.
     
  4. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Pearson, Yes and no. I have a plant that is the same or similar that I bought as B. makoyanum. However, I have to agree with Marni that it likely is not that. At best there is a lot of confusion about the species and at worst there are a lot of mislabeled plants out there like the one I bought. Although I collect species I do enjoy this plant and it puts on a good show every year. If I can find my photo I'll post it here so we can compare.
     
  5. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    For comparison, here is the plant I purchased as B. makoyanum. Looks much like yours. I'd say we probably have the same species/hybrid or what ever. Recently I've seen similar plants labeled as daisy chain Bulbophyllum.
    Bulbophyllum makoyanum-900.jpg
     
  6. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    It seems to me that there are a bunch of plants like this or similar that may be species , varieties, or hybrids that are labelled incorrectly as makoyanum. There was discussion on the Bulbophyllum facebook page not long ago about a plant that had flowers exactly like the one here. Tanner said that true makoyanums have skinnier petals and none of the red/pinkish blush. I've also seen plants that fit that description for sale with an ID number from Selby claiming they are the true makoyanum,
     
  7. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    You may want to look into B. pecten-veneris (lepidum). Its flowers look very similar to those pictured above.
     
  8. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Hi Zach, I think you mean B. flabellum-veneris. Yes, after you brought it to my attention I looked at it and it does look very similar. There appears to be a lot of variability in that species as well. Thanks for the lead.
     
  9. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Kelly,

    Yes I meant flabellum-veneris. B. pecten-veneris is yellow and more spidery. I agree that there is a lot of variability with many of the small umbel Bulbos. My guess is that they are actually species complexes or are distributed over a wide range in nature.
     
  10. piotrm

    piotrm Well-Known Member

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    On Kelly picture is what often seen online as Bulbophyllum gamosepalum, but I think Pearson plant is something else... to blur pictures to say anything more.
     
  11. Andy May

    Andy May Active Member

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    I am not and can not be 100% but this looks like Bulbophyllum Daisy Chain to me