Specklinia tripterantha

Once classified as part of the massive genus, Pleurothallis, the plant was reclassified in 2004 by Carlyle Luer.  By any name, however, it is an oddity, at least in this case.  My plant has turned out to be cleistogamous or self-pollinating.  It bloomed for the first time this winter with quite a few flower spikes and only one flower opened: the rest developed seed pods.

The plant is 10 cm tall and the flowers are 2 cm in size and lovely light yellow color, but I am going to pass the plant on to someone else.  I'd like to see if the flowers are self-pollinating when grown at a warmer temperature, but don't have the time or patience to find out.   The plant is very common, ranging from southern Centeral America down through much of South America.

Muscarella megalops

Also known as Specklinia megalops and Pleurothallis megalops, this unusual species is from the Ecuadorean Andes.  The plant is only about 5 cm tall and the few, widely spaced flowers are carried on wiry spikes that tend to hang down.  The name, megalops, refers to the very large (and hairy) lip that is characteristic of this species.

Specklinia montezumae

This plant has recently been reclassified as part of a reworking of the massive genus, Pleurothallis.  While I agree that the genus Pleurothallis, to which it originally belonged, was far too large and included too many dissimilar plants, I have trouble remembering all the new names.  By any name, however, this is a lovely little plant.

This orchid is native to Costa Rica and is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures.  The plant is 12 cm tall and the flowers which hide down at the base of the leaves are a little over 1 cm long.  The plant seems to bloom several times a year for me.  I have it growing in a specially thrown clay pot with extra drainage and in live sphagnum moss.

Panmorphia sanchezii

This little plant, also known as Specklinia sanchezii or Pleurothallis sanchezii, is from Ecuador.  The Masdevallia-like leaves are about 5-6 cm tall and the flowers about 1 cm in size and are born at the base of the leaves.  It is named after the man who first collected it.  The color of the flowers apparently varies considerably, from a bright orange to brick-red.