Specklinia tripterantha

Once classified as part of the massive genus, Pleurothallis, the plant was reclassified in 2004 by Carlyle Luer.  By any name, however, it is an oddity, at least in this case.  My plant has turned out to be cleistogamous or self-pollinating.  It bloomed for the first time this winter with quite a few flower spikes and only one flower opened: the rest developed seed pods.

The plant is 10 cm tall and the flowers are 2 cm in size and lovely light yellow color, but I am going to pass the plant on to someone else.  I'd like to see if the flowers are self-pollinating when grown at a warmer temperature, but don't have the time or patience to find out.   The plant is very common, ranging from southern Centeral America down through much of South America.