Fatahatchee Orchid - Orchid Board

old navy · #1 04-21-2009, 03:47 PM

I photographed this orchid in the Fatahatchee Strand (southern Florida) last week. Flowers were about 1 1/2 inches across. Interesting part is the flower spikes had no leaves at the base. The spikes sprouted directly out of the forest floor. There were two spikes approximately 2 feet apart. Anyone know the name?

flhiker · #2 04-21-2009, 05:09 PM

Hi Old Navy, and welcome to the board. What you have found is Bletia purpurea aka Pine pink. You probably found in on a dead log or base of a tree. Nice find. What did you think of one of my favorite places in the world? Here's one I found on a hike in Big Cypress a week ago.

Royal · #3 04-21-2009, 06:05 PM

Looks like Dave nailed it. Nice photos, guys. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the OB, old navy.

old navy · #4 04-22-2009, 09:49 AM

Thanks for the help, guys. I thought that was what it was, just hadn't seen it that "pink" before. The specimens I have seen were a lot more intensly colored, almost deep purple. The Fatahatchee is a national treasure. Incredible ecology! Incidently, I was talking to some of the park personnel and they said an orchid that everyone thought was extinct was re-discovered recently. They didn't know the name, just that it caused a lot of local publicity. Does anyone know anything about this?

flhiker · #5 04-22-2009, 10:06 AM

The orchid they found is Cyclopogon elatus or the tall neottia. Here's a article about it.

Rare orchid found in Fakahatchee not seen in Florida since 1980 : Environment : Naples Daily News