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*The following text is excerpted from: Gann, G.D., K.A. Bradley, & S.W. Woodmansee. 2002. Rare Plants of South Florida: Their History, Conservation, and Restoration. The Institute for Regional Conservation: Miami, except Update, which should be cited as: Gann, G.D., K.A. Bradley, & S.W. Woodmansee. 2006. Species Account Update, Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database Online. The Institute for Regional Conservation: Miami.


Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum (Rchb. f.) Rolfe

Leafless bentspur orchid

South Florida Status: Critically imperiled. One occurrence at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

Taxonomy: Monocotyledon; Orchidaceae.

Habit: Perennial epiphytic herb.

Distribution: Native to South Florida, the West Indies, and South America.

South Florida Distribution: Collier County.

South Florida Habitats: Strand swamps.

Protection Status: Listed as endangered by FDACS and as critically imperiled by FNAI.

Aids to Identification: Luer (1972) has both illustrations and color photos; Bell & Taylor (1982) has a color photo; Chafin (2000) has illustrations and a color photo.

References: Small, 1933a; Correll, 1950; Luer, 1972; Long & Lakela, 1976; Ward, 1978; Bell & Taylor, 1982; Wunderlin, 1998; Chafin, 2000; Coile, 2000; Liogier & Martorell, 2000.

Synonyms: None.


Historical Context: Alvah A. Eaton first collected leafless bentspur orchid in 1905 (s.n., NY), presumably in what is now Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. It was subsequently vouchered there by Daniel B. Ward in 1965 (5364, FLAS, FSU) and by George N. Avery in 1969 (2075, FTG). It is extant in deep sloughs in the center of the strand. Gann and Woodmansee observed it there in 2000 on a field trip led by Florida Park Service biologist Mike Owen. Owen estimates that there are fewer than 1,000 plants present in the Fakahatchee Strand (personal communication, 7 February 2001).

E.P. St. John also made two collections in the late 1930s from the Deep Lake area (s.n., FLAS; s.n., FLAS), which is located immediately to the east of the Fakahatchee Strand within Big Cypress National Preserve. However, St. John’s Deep Lake specimens all appear to be from the Fakahatchee Strand. Black & Black (1980) reported leafless bentspur orchid from Big Cypress National Preserve based upon a 1956 specimen, which we have been unable to verify. It seems doubtful that leafless bentspur orchid was ever present in Big Cypress National Preserve.

Major Threats: Poaching; hydrological modifications; exotic pest plant invasions, especially Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum).

Comments: This is one of the few epiphytic orchids that will grow on the trunks of royal palms (Roystonea regia) (R.L. Hammer, personal communication, 19 February 2001).

Recommendations: • Continue ongoing surveys in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. • Map and monitor known stations on a regular basis. • Protect from poaching. • Control Old World climbing fern and other exotic pest plants that threaten leafless bentspur orchid.