Distinction

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Female Orchid Classification System

Labia Distinction

As discussed briefly in an earlier section, the labia distinction is a determination of whether the labia have a prime region and a lesser region. Some labia have no lesser region at all. As well, there are some varieties of orchids where prime and lesser regions cannot be distinguished i.e. the labium is by default prime. This is mostly due to small labia, but may also be due to the shape of labia, discussed later in the labial shape section. This Distinction section lays the groundwork for discussing labial shape.

Labia distinction has three varieties (sub-types): labia prime and lesser, lesser absent and labia(um) indeterminate. Note that the exact demarcation of where the prime ends and the lesser begins is of minimal importance. The importance lies in determining, where applicable, there are two distinct sections of the labium.

Below are examples of the three varieties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first indeterminate example above, one could argue there is a labium lesser with an ambiguous starting point, but the lower part of the labium is the lesser. The practical consequence of describing the example as having a prime and lesser, or as indeterminate is resolved in the labial shape section. Designating these types of orchids as having both prime and lesser would make the labial shape (next section) designation almost impossible.

In the last two examples above, the labia are indeterminate because of the labia shape (cushion). This is a consistent feature of cushioned shaped labia, which is also discussed in detail in the next section, labial shape.

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