Need ID of a Wild orchid

[flhiker]

, While out in the Fakahatchee we came across this plant, I have not been able to positively ID this one. I think it might be a Tichocentrum maculatum.

[Chubidubi]

It looks like a pleurothalid. I have about 3 of them.
Hope this helps.

[flhiker]

Bingo! I must have looked though my books a dozen times and couldn't fine it. Thank you!!

[Chubidubi]

It was my pleasure to help out.

[susiep]

Dave, that is a nice big plant. Too bad it hasn't got flowers to help with the ID. It has been many years since I slogged around in the Glades, but those leaves remind me of the Mule-Eared Orchid (Oncidium luridum). Is it similar looking to you?

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by susiep

Dave, that is a nice big plant. Too bad it hasn't got flowers to help with the ID. It has been many years since I slogged around in the Glades, but those leaves remind me of the Mule-Eared Orchid (Oncidium luridum). Is it similar looking to you?

Hi Susie, I thought the same thing at first but I was not seeing the purple flecking in the leaves. I wasn't convinced. I'm sure its the Pleurothallis gelida. First time seeing this one I will be revisiting it after Dec. in hopes to see it in flower.

[susiep]

Very cool! So that is the difference. I was looking through an old book of mine tonight "Orchids and Other Air Plants of the Everglades National Park" by Frank Craighead, copyright 1963. You would get a kick out of it. Very nostalgic. I bought it 5-2-73 at the Everglades National Park gift shop. (I was only 19 and already an orchid nerd) I grew up in Miami, plus my dad was a science teacher. My grandfather was a farmer. I learned a lot about my environment (plant, animal, earth, sky) from just listening to them and it was second nature to me. When I mention a fact about some living thing, people always say to me, "How do you know that stuff?" I always say, "How do you not know it?" That's why I like OB. The people here know this stuff and want to know more. I'm not alone anymore! LOL

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by susiep

Very cool! So that is the difference. I was looking through an old book of mine tonight "Orchids and Other Air Plants of the Everglades National Park" by Frank Craighead, copyright 1963. You would get a kick out of it. Very nostalgic. I bought it 5-2-73 at the Everglades National Park gift shop. (I was only 19 and already an orchid nerd) I grew up in Miami, plus my dad was a science teacher. My grandfather was a farmer. I learned a lot about my environment (plant, animal, earth, sky) from just listening to them and it was second nature to me. When I mention a fact about some living thing, people always say to me, "How do you know that stuff?" I always say, "How do you not know it?" That's why I like OB. The people here know this stuff and want to know more. I'm not alone anymore! LOL

My orchid addiction started here with a simple ID of a Cigar Orchid (a little over a year ago) and I have not done this much studing since high school. I'm getting ready to start my first flask. I probably have over 70 chids (not counting the 3 flasks I put in a compot) I'm sick, I know.

[Mahon]

That must be pretty deep in the Fakahatchee! A great find!
Keep your eyes peeled for the show-stopping Lepanthopsis melanantha! They should be growing in VERY similar conditions...

-Pat

[trinimom]

I have learnt so much about orchids by just reading the several posts and now know I was doing it all wrong ....but I get blooms and new plants .....so something probably is right some how..lol
The blooms are great with some and some have not flowered in 5 years and some took 5 years to flower...my collection is mainly dendrobiums with a few oncidiums and some vanda (of which two went dead in the last couple of weeks) and oh yes 3 phalanopsis... which are always blooming ... bright yellow one, pale yellow and white one and a deep purple one.....