Stelis hirtella

In Explore December 21, 2011, #467.

This is a small orchid species from Ecuador. The plant is less than 5 cm tall and the tiny flowers are about 5 mm in size. I am not sure, however, that this is correctly identified, since other pictures of this species that I have seen have a maroon center, and most of the Stelis species are notoriously difficult to identify. "Hirtella" means "bristly" and that certainly fits, but would fit many other species as well.

The three larger triangular and nearly transparent segments of the flower are the sepals. The petals are the two largest parts at the center of the flower that enfold the other parts. The lip is the "u" shaped piece at the top, between the two petals and the column (reproductive organ) is below the lip. All these parts are the same dull greenish-tan color.