Epidendrum tortipetalum Scheeren 1976 Photo by © O Suarez and The Epidendra Website
Photo by © Ron Parsons
Drawing by © Hagsater and Suarez
Common Name The Twisted Petal Epidendrum
Flower Size 3/4" wide [2 cm] but the petals continue to elongate as the flower matures and can reach 1 3/4" to 2" [4 to 5 cm]
Found only in Mexico in pine oak forests at elevations of 2600 to 2700 meters as a cold growing epiphyte with basally sub-terete, laterally compressed above stems carrying 2 to 3, coriaceous, ovate-lanceolate, dorsally carinate leaves that blooms at any time of the year on a terminal, peduncle slender, elongate, laterally compressed, enveloped by papery sheaths, rachis flexuous, glabrous successively single, several flowered inflorescence with shorter than the ovary, triangular, acute floral bracts and carrying greenish purple flowers.
Often confused with the very similar E longipetalum yet this one differs in having a larger plant and flowers with shorter petals and a differently shaped lip.
Synonyms Epidendrum longipetalum var. tortipetalum (Scheeren) M.Wolff & O.Gruss 2007
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; * ORQUIDEA (Méx.) 5(376) Schreen 1976 Drawing fide; Miniature Orchids Northen 1980 photo fide; Icones Orchidacearum I Plate 34 Hagsater and Salazar 1990 see recognition section; Miniature Orchids, A Compendium Vol 1 Parsons and Gerritson 2013 photo fide; Algunas Orquideas de Mexico Tomo 1 Suarez 2013 photo fide
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