North Florida Orchids

[tim abbott]

I go to a cattle ranch about 6 miles south of Cheifland, Fl. [I]t has numerous cypress heads and stands of pine. Temperatures sometimes go below freezing there in the winter. Does anyone know if there are wild orchid species growing in these habitats?

Tim Abbott

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by tim abbott

I go to a cattle ranch about 6 miles south of Cheifland, Fl. [i]t has numerous cypress heads and stands of pine. Temperatures sometimes go below freezing there in the winter. Does anyone know if there are wild orchid species growing in these habitats?

Tim Abbott

The ones I was able to find are terrestrials.

Triphora trianthophora: habitat in mixed woodlands often with partridge-berry.flower period July thru December

Several types of Spiranthes habitat roadside, damp woodlands, prairies meadows.

Pogonia ophioglossoides: Habitat roadsides, ditches, open bogs, flowering period March-May

Platanthera nivea and Platanthera cristata: habitat wet meadows prairies, seeps, damp pine flowering period late May-July for nivea and late June to late September for cristata

Hexalectris spicata: habitat dry, open hardwood forest, specially under live oak flowering period August

Habenaria odontopetala: habitat damp hardwood hammocks flowering period February.

Many types of Calopogon. habitat wet meadows, pine flat-woods and sphagnous roadside. flowering period March-August.

Hope this gives you something to start with. good luck and hope to see your finds.

[tim abbott]

Thanks flhiker,

I have been concentrating on wildlife photos there, but I thought it would be fun to search for orchids.

Tim Abbott

[prem]

In addition to what Dave already stated, you might find Epidendrum magnoliae in the trees in the swampier areas - both cypress and live oak are hosts for these.

Spiranthes ovalis and odorata will be up in moister areas in the next few weeks to a month, so it'll be worth keeping a weather eye out for these.

---Prem

[tim abbott]

Thanks Prem

Tim Abbott