Umbrella star orchid
|
Epidendrum floridense
|
Orchidaceae
|
Landscape Uses:
|
|
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
|
A rather rare epiphyte in hammocks and swamps. |
Availability: |
|
Grown by enthusiasts. |
Description: |
|
Epiphytic wildflower. |
Height: |
|
6-12 inches; pendent. |
Growth Rate: |
|
Slow. |
Range: |
|
Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to Palm Beach and Lee counties; disjunct in Polk County. Very rare outside of Collier County. In Broward County, known from a single location; perhaps extirpated in Palm Beach County. |
Habitats: |
|
Swamps and moist forests. |
Soils: |
|
Epiphytic; grows on the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
|
Moderate; can grow on nutrient poor substrate, but needs some nutrient inputs to thrive. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
|
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
|
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
|
Low; requires moist substrate and high humidity and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
Light Requirements: |
|
Light shade. |
Flower Color: |
|
Green. |
Flower Characteristics: |
|
Showy. |
Flowering Season: |
|
Spring-summer. |
Fruit: |
|
Capsule containing numerous minute seeds. Dispersal is by wind. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
|
|
Horticultural Notes: |
|
Primarily grown from seed in a sterilized flask. |
Comments: |
|
It is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. |
|
|
|
Chuck McCartney, 2 September 1984 Rabenau Camp, now in Big Cypress National Preserve
|
|
Chuck McCartney, 2 September 1987 Everglades National Park, plant possibly introduced by Frank C. Craighead
|
|
Chuck McCartney, 29 August 1984 In habitat, Broward County, Florida
|
|
Chuck McCartney, 29 August 1984 In habitat, Broward County, Florida
|
|
|
|