Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Wild Orchid?

Late in the day on Sunday, I walked down near the swampy end of the pond and found this plant growing just upslope of the wet area.

The leafy part near the ground looked like the picture above.

The flower spike was a good 3 feet tall and looked like this.
There was a breeze and dim light and I was forced to use flash to freeze the flower and avoid a blurry picture ... hence the washed out appearance.

After 20 years of walking PFHQ's diverse forest, I don't get many plant mysteries anymore, but currently this one is just that.
Looks orchidelicous too me, but I haven't cracked a book yet to ID it.

What about you brainiacs out there ... got an opinion?

16 comments:

Caroline said...

FC,
Check out book or google and see if your orchid is pteroglossaspis ecristata or giant orchid. You are in its range and habitat is right, it sure looks like it might be this one to me.
What a cool find, whatever it turns out to be!
Caroline in South Dakota

h said...

If it wasn't 3 feet high, I'd have a good idea what it is.

SophieMae said...

I've seen it before, but I'm drawing a blank. And I can't remember where I last put down my wildflower guide. )*;*(
Try this site.

Anonymous said...

i don't know what it is, either. but I hope it transplants well. It sure is beautiful!

I'll be back to see if anyone else figured it out.

Dani said...

Caroline has it!!

swamp4me said...

Isn't it glorious? No matter how many times you've walked a path, nature always has a little surprise waiting for you.

Anonymous said...

Caroline seems to have the answer!
good pdf here:
http://tinyurl.com/55veov

Susan Humeston said...

Check out this article - it's rare:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/documents/publications/watermatters/sept-oct2007/7_orchids.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/documents/publications/watermatters/sept-oct2007/7.html&h=334&w=300&sz=19&hl=en&start=9&sig2=bLrlAmkY2uTqEQ4ZMN8PRQ&usg=__6BIyBj9OKC1Rkhhy2lLQxTZlvms=&tbnid=CPT7gQ9FUq6vnM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=107&ei=jZK0SMrAN4aWigG_4aH-Bw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpteroglossaspis%2Becristata%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Anonymous said...

I will send this blog to a friend who just happens to be the President of an Orchid Society in FL. Lets see if he knows. Is this OK with you?

Linda In Nc

R.Powers said...

Caroline,
As my students would say, "You rock girl!"
Thank you!

Troll,
Went back tonight, it's actually closer to 4 feet.

Sophie,
Thanks!

Laura,
They did it!

Dani,
I agree!

Swampy,
It's why we go back aint it?

Myamuh,
That clinched it for me. Thanks!!!

Suze,
Bless you! I'm looking at those tomorrow at work on a fast connection!

Linda,
You bet it's all right with me!!
Thanks a million and welcome to Pure Florida!

Aunty Belle said...

Hmmmn...do it have fragrance? Is that thang a swamp lily? Some folks call it a Nun's Orchid? Grows round heah...an' has a fancy name Phaius grandiflorius?

Anonymous said...

Growin that fast, that is a clear specimen of the dronabulicata popcornicus. Expect a visit from the sheriff soon.

Anonymous said...

Didn't comment from the other day....love that dog, drool and all!

Check your email............patti

Anonymous said...

Are your comments working? I left one earlier but it's not here. I tried again and this post is showing 13 comments including mine but only 5 are showing on the actual blog. Odd!

Patti

R.Powers said...

Aunty,
The link sent by Myamuh clinches it. Try that one.
http://tinyurl.com/55veov

Freste,
Not again. The black unmarked helicopters are overhead constantly.

Patti,
I don't know what might have caused that weirdness. I'm seeing all comments from here, but you never know with Blogger.
Checked email, thank you, thank you!!

Anonymous said...

That's most definitely a Pteroglossaspis ecristata (formerly known as Eulophia ecristata). I have photographed this species, but have not posted it yet to my website. You can view the related (and probably derived) species, P. pottsii, on my website at:

http://www.flnativeorchids.com/photo_essays/index.htm