Jardinerong Sunog (the Burnt Gardener)

Currently in bloom at the plant junkyard is this Erythrodes wenzelii which, despite its plain green leaves, is a member of subtribe Goodyerinae tribe Cranichidae - the tribe where the jewel orchids belong. While the 'jewel orchid' designation has also been used for totally unrelated plants particularly Crepidium (subtribe Malaxidinae tribe Malaxideae thus related to Liparis ), it perhaps should be kept in mind that since the original application was for the members of the cranichids- think of Ludisia and Macodes , among others- then it follows that only those from that tribe deserves recognition as 'jewel orchids.' Or does it? Because like in the case of our plant here, it can hardly be called a 'jewel orchid' due to the unadorned foliage. In fact, many members of the cranichids have non-descript leaves. One can argue that any terrestrial orchid with flashy leaves can be a jewel orchid. However, once we try to be politically correct then it's a can of w...

It's that time of the year again for this plant to display its fireworks, though I must warn you not to come too close or you might find the odor quite offensive! I have seen ants and flies visit the individual blooms, but never butterflies, which are known to be attracted to more pleasant scents.  Cirrhopetalum surigaense* , despite its species name, is quite a widespread orchid, having been found in some southern Luzon provinces, as well as the islands of Mindoro and Leyte, and of course, Surigao del Norte. These plants flower only once a year, and those in my collection do so from late January to early February. Compared to many other cirrhopetalums, this species is easily distinguishable even when not in flower by way of its dark green, very rigid leaves . These are oblong to oblong-elliptic in shape and are up to 7.5 cm. long with a width of 2.8 cm. The stoutly spindle-shaped ribbed, yellowish pseudobulbs are up to 3.5 cm. high by 1 cm. in diameter and are separated...