Species of the Month – June 2015
Smithsonia maculata (Dalzell) C.J.Saldanha
syn Gastrochilus maculatus (Dalzell) Kuntze, Saccolabium maculatum (Dalzell) Hook.f.
There are three species belonging to genus Smithsonia. All the three species are found in Western Ghats range in peninsular India. This genus is named after James Smithson, a British scientist after whom the Smithsonian Institution is named. There three monopodial epiphytes are found 
in mid-elevation in the forests of Western Ghats. The inflorescence usually has few to many flowers. The other two species in this genus are Smithsonia straminea C.J.Saldanha and Smithsonia viridiflora (Dalzell) C.J.Saldanha
Flower: Smithsonia maculata (Dalzell) C.J.Saldanha flowers are usually around 1.5cm big and occur laxly on drooping inflorescence. The flowers have distinctive trilobed labellum or lip with a pointy spur. This is a common feature in all three species of Smithsonia. In Smithsonia maculata the inflorescence is longer than the leaves. Usually start flowering in the month of May and continue into July.
Spot characteristics of the flower include bright orange-reddish spots on the sepals and horn like projections of side lobes of the labellum.
Plant: Plant usually seen with 2 or 3 leaves. The leaves are around 10cm in length and sheathed base. The root tips are purplish and long running. The lateral inflorescence is longer and deep purple in colour.
Habitat: This species is rather uncommon in montane forests at mid-elevation. It has been recorded from forests of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Hybrids There are no known hybrids of this species.
References:
1. Critical notes on Orchids of Bombay – Santapau and Kapadia
2. Wild Orchids in Karnataka – Dr Anand Rao et al.
Article by: Ravee Bhat