Stiff-flower star orchid, rigid Epidendrum
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Epidendrum rigidum
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Orchidaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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A rare epiphyte in hammocks and swamps. |
Availability: |
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Grown by enthusiasts. |
Description: |
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Epiphytic wildflower. |
Height: |
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6-12 inches; ascending. Masses may become as broad as tall. |
Growth Rate: |
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Slow. |
Range: |
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Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to Palm Beach and Lee counties; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. Very rare outside of Collier County. In Broward County, known from a single location. |
Habitats: |
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Swamps and moist forests. |
Soils: |
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Epiphytic; grows on the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Moderate; can grow on nutrient poor substrate, but needs some nutrient inputs to thrive. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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Low; requires moist substrate and high humidity and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
Light Requirements: |
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Light shade. |
Flower Color: |
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Green. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Semi-showy. |
Flowering Season: |
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All year. |
Fruit: |
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Capsule containing numerous minute seeds. Dispersal is by wind. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Horticultural Notes: |
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Primarily grown from seed in a sterilized flask. |
Comments: |
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It is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. |
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