Encyclia semiaperta Hágsater 1984 Photo courtesy of Dale and Deni Borders

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Common Name The Half-Open Encyclia

Flower Size 1 1/4" [3 cm]

This epiphytic or lithophytic species is endemic to Mexico in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca in pine oak forest at elevations of 500 to 2500 meters with ellipsoid to fusiform, compressed bifoliate pseudobulbs where it blooms in the spring on a apical, racemose, 6" [16 cm] long, several flowered inflorescence that is longer than the leaves and arises on a mature psuedobulb as a new growth emerges. There are up to 10 small, partialy open, resupinate flowers and is similar to Encyclia livida save the partially open flowers, a lip that is as wide between the lateral lobes[when spread] as across the midlobe, the lateral lobes clasp the column and the bifoliate pseudobulbs.

Synonyms Epidendrum tripterum Lindl. 1840