Habenaria distans

[flhiker]

Here's a very rare find a terrestrial aka false water-spider orchid. Known from only 3 county's here in Florida. the area I found this one in was loaded with them but only in 10 square foot area. The second picture you can see many small plants. We also came across of quit a few Oeceoclades maculata aka African spotted orchid, which have become naturalized here and spreading North. The mottling on the leaves remind me of a plant I call Mother In-Laws tonge just much smaller.

[Swamper]

Awesome finds David. Was it still pretty wet in many places or has it dried out a lot?

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Awesome finds David. Was it still pretty wet in many places or has it dried out a lot?

There's still a lot a water. I like it better when it's wet out there except when we got to close to a huge gator . You get a feeling of helplessness when your only 20 ft or so away and being in the same water above your knees.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Here's a very rare find a terrestrial aka false water-spider orchid. Known from only 3 county's here in Florida. the area I found this one in was loaded with them but only in 10 square foot area. The second picture you can see many small plants. We also came across of quit a few Oeceoclades maculata aka African spotted orchid, which have become naturalized here and spreading North. The mottling on the leaves remind me of a plant I call Mother In-Laws tonge just much smaller.

Dave, very nice pictures of orchids growing in the wild..

I have a question regarding the Oeceoclades... Are you sure this plant has become naturalized in Florida? I am just confused with the name "AFRICAN" spotted orchid, as this species is natural from South and Central America, including many of the Caribbean Islands and, as far as I know, also Florida... I remember this species very well growing wild in our garden in Venezuela, and that some 30-something years ago.

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

Dave, very nice pictures of orchids growing in the wild..

I have a question regarding the Oeceoclades... Are you sure this plant has become naturalized in Florida? I am just confused with the name "AFRICAN" spotted orchid, as this species is natural from South and Central America, including many of the Caribbean Islands and, as far as I know, also Florida... I remember this species very well growing wild in our garden in Venezuela, and that some 30-something years ago.

Thanks Ramon, I get my info from a book "Wild orchids of Florida" by Paul Martin Brown.The list of places it can be found are Florida; West Indies, Central America, Africa but they might be found in other places as well. The beginning paragraph reads. "This is an African genus of some 35 species, of which one, Oeceoclades maculata, is naturalized and widespread in Florida and the neotropics. Although perhaps becoming a nuisance in some areas of Florida, the strikingly patterned leaves with their rich, dark green base and silver mottlings rival those of the Asian tropical mottled-leaved Paphiopedilums. There is no evidence that Oceceoclades is invading and replacing our native species in the wild, and when it appears in a horticultural setting it is an added feature of the garden."

"Flowering period: August-November
This is one of five non-native orchids that have become thoroughly naturalized in Florida. It first appeared in the United States via Florida in 1974 in Miami-Dade County and can now be found readily both in wild , native areas and in horticultural situations. The dark green mottled leaves are striking and the little flowers are quite attractive if and when they open fully. The species is thought to be self-fertile, as many of the flowers do not open completely and all flowers usually set seed. In Alachua County plants have naturalized from those grown within a greenhouse and set out for the summer."

I hope the info in this book is accurate, I consider it to be my wild orchid bible here in Florida.

[RosieC]

Wow, great finds Dave!

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Thanks Ramon, I get my info from a book "Wild orchids of Florida" by Paul Martin Brown.The list of places it can be found are Florida; West Indies, Central America, Africa but they might be found in other places as well. The beginning paragraph reads. "This is an African genus of some 35 species, of which one, Oeceoclades maculata, is naturalized and widespread in Florida and the neotropics. Although perhaps becoming a nuisance in some areas of Florida, the strikingly patterned leaves with their rich, dark green base and silver mottlings rival those of the Asian tropical mottled-leaved Paphiopedilums. There is no evidence that Oceceoclades is invading and replacing our native species in the wild, and when it appears in a horticultural setting it is an added feature of the garden."

"Flowering period: August-November
This is one of five non-native orchids that have become thoroughly naturalized in Florida. It first appeared in the United States via Florida in 1974 in Miami-Dade County and can now be found readily both in wild , native areas and in horticultural situations. The dark green mottled leaves are striking and the little flowers are quite attractive if and when they open fully. The species is thought to be self-fertile, as many of the flowers do not open completely and all flowers usually set seed. In Alachua County plants have naturalized from those grown within a greenhouse and set out for the summer."

I hope the info in this book is accurate, I consider it to be my wild orchid bible here in Florida.

hhmm.. maybe it can be true for Florida, but maybe also not coming from Africa, but from somewhere else in the caribbean or central/south america. My understanding is that this genus is pantropical and that this particular species has always been in the Americas... need to recheck with my friends in Venezuela at the botanical garden, if someone can check the oldest exemplar in the herbarium... note that it was apparently already reported for Venezuela in the "Venezuelan Orchids Illustrated" Dunsterville & Garay 1959... but it can be that I am also wrong here

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by flhiker

There's still a lot a water. I like it better when it's wet out there except when we got to close to a huge gator . You get a feeling of helplessness when your only 20 ft or so away and being in the same water above your knees.

I do too, it's very refreshing. I know what you mean about the gator, at that point what are you gonna do right?