Lepanthe species from PR, maybe rubripetala
 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/...778ac90e_o.jpgLast year I spent some time hiking in the rainforest that covers the upper reaches of the Sierra de Luquillo mountains. I saw many orchids, most without flowers, but there were a number of Lepanthes blooming. Most of the Lepanthes I photographed turned out to be Lepanthes woodburiana. But this plant appears to be a different species. The crossed over petals seem to indicate that this plant is Lepanthes rubripetala. But since this is the only one I have ever found, and doing a taxonomic key from a photograph can be difficult the ID remains tentative. Photos of this orchid apparently are not common as I didn't found anything on an Internet search. To my chagrin, queries about photos of rubripetala in the Internet send me to my own album:mad:. On the other hand it may be a natural hybrid for all I know.

Reminds me of peach slices on a hot, summer day.

Ricardo : a comparison with Montalvo's line darwings in Ackerman's book strongly suggests you are right in calling it Lepanthes rubripetala.

Ray I like your simile - how appropriate!

Jose - nice to see you!

Same here... I am slowly returning to posting in my olde house :)

yes, you were the first to post at the original AOS forum!

Thanks Jose! I try to ID the plants I find out in the wild using taxonomic keys but sometimes it is difficult to be sure that you have the right ID. Happily this plant is growing on a tree by the roadside in a fairly easy spot to reach so I am planning to return to the spot to try to take a better photo.

Same here.

Is Jose that old:eek::eek:?!? HA HA HA, just kidding:D:D

Ricardo remember there is no hiding from me... I know where you live LOL

Ricardo - I dream of hiking in a rainforest and always enjoy your posts and pics. Super - welcome home! :) Ray - I wish it were a hot summer day!

I will try to keep sharing the photos those orchid species that I come across in the wild. This year my goal it to snare the Dichea hystricina, unfortunately it blooms in the higher montane forest at the very height of the rainy season a most unfavorable time for photographing equipment to show its face in the forest. Hopefully some plants will be in bloom by August:)

Ricardo, I hope you do continue to share your photos- all your posts are very informative and interesting.