Okeechobee Ridge County Park - Orchid Board

footTRAX · #1 09-26-2010, 05:28 PM

I saw these orchids on the Florida Trail located at Okeechobee Ridge County Park. There were colonies of orchids growing along the trail. I don't know the name of them and I really don't think they are native, but they are in the wild. I'm sure Prem will know what they are. I'm more of a hiker, but I do look for orchids now everywhere I go. I also like to call orchids by their common name and leave the scientific names to others. I'm pretty new to the orchid world, but love taking pictures of them. Thanks for all the help on here....

Here are some pictures.

RosieC · #2 09-27-2010, 06:41 AM

Wow, really cool and I love that last pic with the ant!

got ants · #3 09-27-2010, 01:30 PM

Oeceoclades maculata

Not considered an invasive, but a naturalized exotic (from Africa).

IOSPE PHOTOS

got ants · #4 09-27-2010, 03:08 PM

Another on you may come across is..

Eulophia petersii

IOSPE PHOTOS

footTRAX · #5 09-27-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got ants

Another on you may come across is..

Eulophia petersii

IOSPE PHOTOS

Found in Florida also?
I would love to see one in the wild..

got ants · #6 09-27-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footTRAX

Found in Florida also?
I would love to see one in the wild..

There's a bunch of it along the New River in Ft Lauderdale in the new park/preserve, "Bill" Keith Preserve - New River at 1720 SW 17th St,. Avenue Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312.

BTW, it's in bloom right now. Come down I-95 to Davie Rd and head east, Make first right and go east (17th ave). 17th end at 14th Ct, turn right and go to 17 Terr. Turn left and go to the end. You'll find the preserve along New River.

footTRAX · #7 09-27-2010, 08:22 PM

Sounds like a plan! I might just do that... Do you know of any other good areas to look for other orchid species?

flhiker · #8 09-27-2010, 08:59 PM

Nice shots. I have a couple that showed up in my bagged mulch.

got ants · #9 09-27-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flhiker

Nice shots. I have a couple that showed up in my bagged mulch.

Yup, I have both the Oeceoclades and Eulophia show up in my mulch.

prem · #10 09-28-2010, 01:26 AM

Of course, there is some debate as to whether this is a true exotic (i.e. escaped from human cultivation) or naturally introduced...like flamingos and cattle egrets. I hear that they grow all over the Caribbean as well, which could be a source for blown-in seed...either that, or a hurricane sucking up seed in Africa and pouring it down in our state.

As I understand it, the escaped Eulophia being found more frequently in south Florida is E. graminea, and not E. petersii.

---Prem