Unknown Wild Orchid

[flhiker]

Hi all, was searching the Fakahatchee strand today and came across this orchid and I'm unable to find it in my book Wild orchids of Florida. The leafs are shaped like Tempensis's but has no pseudobulb. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Mahon]

This looks to be within the Fakahatchee, and is Ionopsis utricularioides... very nice find! They are more often found on the tips of shrub twigs or dangling in midair...

-Pat

[flhiker]

Thanks Pat, (I had a feeling you would be the one to have the answer) I figured it out after I made this post but what made it hard for me to figure out is the others I have seen where much smaller and looked slightly different.

[Mahon]

Dave,

The one you have pictured looks as if it is about to die. There are some orchids with life expectancies, and Ionopsis, along with a few other Oncidiinae, live for a few years after first blooming.

Typically, they will stay small, but occasionally a "monster" can be found. Plants in full sun tend to be smaller than those grown in shadier conditions...

-Pat