Yesterday and Todays orchids

[DJR]

Hi all

Went to scope out a few known hot orchid areas yesterday and today preparing for my survey of Pasco County that will begin in January. Yesterday I went to an area that I have found several species and was shocked at what I saw. The hogs have destroyed most of the area and FDOT has placed a retention pond in another! However I do have hope as this location still has some untouched spots that may reveal orchids this spring. The following have been seen in this first spot: Platanthera cristata, Platanthera ciliaris, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Colopogon tuberosa (and the white form), Colopogon barbatus, Habenaria odontopetala, and various Spiranthes sp. that I still need to ID. Like I said a hot bed of orchids. Also at this location are a large number of carnivorous plants including Drosera brevifolia, D.cappilaris, and D. intermedia, as well as all three of the Pinguiculas to be found in this county. Although again FDOT has put there retention pond on top of the Blue and Yellow butterworts!. Many species of Utricularia are here as well however ID still is needed for these.

Nearby was site 2 that I have never been to (approximately a mile from site 1 and this one had a beautiful Bay swamp/Mixed Hardwood-Conifer swamp and the following species were seen today. Oeceoclades maculata, Habenaria odontopetala, Malaxis spicata, and Ponthieva racemosa. A small spot about 20'X20' had the Ponthieva, Habenaria, and the Malaxis! I can't wait to come back to this spot this spring as this has great potential for a lot of various species to occur.

I did take photos of some of the orchids but as yet have not downloaded the photos and am not sure how they turned out I will post if they are somewhat good.

Don