Triphora gentianoides

[Mahon]

This HAS to be the most unattractive species orchid known to exist. There's nothing to the flowers... literally! It's a fairly rare species, and non-existent in collections.

Triphora gentianoides is known to be primarily from Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, and Lee counties here in Florida, along with somewhere in Cuba. My more recent record was made for Sarasota county.

Typically, this species grows up to 20cm, while most grow to only 5cm tall. This is my tallest, measuring a little past 30cm, which could be the largest plant on record!

I have found that the secret top growing this species is the bright afternoon sun. I also recently found that this species needs a higher pH level in order to survive. I noticed that my Sarasota county population was growing either where there was concrete or where there were sprinklers (which spray water full of sulfur).

I've been able to get these to germinate and grow in humus. Recently, I have sprinkled the seeds around areas where there are sprinklers, in hopes of more established colonies.

Anyways, here's my largest Triphora gentianoides, perhaps 4 or 5 years old...

Triphora gentianoides


My hand for scale


Close-up of the flower and dehissing pod at 5x


Close-up of the bract-like leaves


-Pat