Florida wild orchid?

[rudamchu]

found this growing in my lawn recently and dug it up before I mowed. Anyone know what it is? I thought it might be some sort of terrestrial Florida wild orchid.

[flhiker]

What part of Florida did you find it and do you have a better picture of the entire plant?

[lambelkip]

I'm pretty sure it's a Eulophia, but I'm not sure of the exact species. If you can post a picture of the entire plant, we might be able to tell for sure.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's a Eulophia species, don't know which one. Most likely non-native and escaped a person's collection somehow.

It doesn't look like Eulophia graminea, which is known to be an invasive species in FL.

I've never seen this species before.

Eulophia species tend to be terrestrial and sometimes lithophytic.

In general, Eulophias are by far some of the easiest terrestrial orchids to grow.


Btw, there are a few species of Eulophia that have similar looking flowers to each other, but the plants of each species do not look anything like one another.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I also suggest not allowing the plant to set seed. It could spread, and not necessarily just around your lawn.

This species might be what is called autogamous. Which means you don't have to hand pollinate this plant nor does the plant need a pollinator to have it bear fruit. It'll do it all on its own.

[RobS]

I would dare to call Eulophia graminea.

Compare the pictures at IOSPE PHOTOS

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I doubt it is.

I own a couple. The photo of the plant in the IOSPE doesn't look like the one in the photo provided here.

The ones I own look exactly like the ones in the IOSPE.

If "rudamchu" buried the pseudobulbs, then they're grown incorrectly. They don't grow underground tuberoids or corms. Eulophia graminea grows via actual above ground pseudobulbs, complete with strap leaves. They look like mini Cymbidiums (because they're in the same alliance).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I want to clarify that some Eulophias actually do grow underground corms.

[RobS]

Can't be sure but by comparing the pictures of the flowers they are very similar. Couldn't see any other Eulophia's that look similar by having a look trough Google images querying Eulophia. Then you say that it's present in Florida. I have little doubt untill you can show another species with similar flowers.

[got ants]

I had one pop up in my mulch last year, and now see some plants in other areas of the yard, all that have mulch. I'm suspecting it came in the mulch.

This link shows different species of the Eulophias. I'm leaning more to petersii.

Terrestrial Orchid Gallery - Eulophia

Also have some Oeceoclades maculata pop up in my yard as well.