Stelis perpusilliflora Cogn. in I.Urban 1909 in El Yunque National Forest

 This orchid was photographed in El Yunque National forest.  The flowers are tiny and remain cupped when they open.  The inflorescence is horizontal with the flowers pointing downwards or to the side.  I had to bend the inflorescence upwards to get a view of the inside of the flowers.

Stelis perpusilliflora Cogn. a rare orchid from the Luquillo mountains, Puerto Rico

When I found this orchid I was quite curious about it since I could not identify it on sight.  Unfortunately, I didn't had with me the equipment to make a really good photo of the diminute flowers of this small orchid.  Nevertheless I am satified I was able to get photos of this as it is the first time I have seen Stelis plants growing in the wild in Puerto Rico.  The plant is small and its tiny green flowers are inconspicuous, so it is easy to miss.  I found it by accident as I was looking for Lepanthes orchids near a small creek where they grow particularly well due to the year round high humidity.