Lepanthes droseroides - Light conditions in situ

I observed Lepanthes droseroides last week during a research trip I made to Panama last week. I recorded the light intensity during a sunny day around 11am. The plants were growing on a large tree, possibly an oak, at 2382 m in elevation. It was cool, despite the sun, but I didn't record the temperature, I would guess mid 60's F.

The light intensity fluctuated between 3,600-3,700 lux. Under a 4 bulb, SunBlaze T5 light fixture that has been running for about a year, I recorded the following intensities: 1" from light 15,000 lux, 1' from light 9,500 lux, 2' from light 3,800lux, 3' from 2400 lux. These intensities will vary given the amount of shading from plants growing above a plant on the wall and the age of the bulbs.

I don't grow L. droseroides, but I have other Lepanthes and it is interesting to see how bright it is on a sunny day in a cloud forest a little before noon.

 

Hi Zach! The etymology provided in the protologue: "Named for the resemblance of the appendix to a leaf of a sundew in the genus Drosera. From the Greek droseros, "dewy," referring to droplets on the long-pugsecent leaves". The appendix is the little finger like appendage on the lip. In this species it is described as pubescent. It seems that Luer thought it looked like a sundew leaf.