Bulbophyllum pachyrachis (A.Rich.) Griseb.
Rat Tail Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Pachyrhachis pineliana, Pleurothallis pachyrachis
Bulbophyllum pachyrachis, commonly known as the Rat Tail Orchid, is distributed in the West Indies, Central America, and South America and south Florida. This orchid has short, sessile pseudobulbs that are attached to a creeping rhizome. One or two glossy leaves develop at the apex of the pseudobulb, and the inflorescence, a simple raceme, emerges from the base of the pseudobulb. The inflorescence has up to 30 small greenish-brown flowers spotted with purple and the labellum is red. This orchid was known to occur on hardwood hammocks in the Fakahatchee Swamp but has not been seen in Florida since 1975 and is presumed extirpated.
Bulbophyllum pachyrachis is apparently secure across its somewhat large range although this orchid is considered endangered in Florida, and the single known population in Florida no longer exits.
Ecosystem Type
Swamps, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- epiphyte
- Number of leaves on stem:
- two
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
- pink to red
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a spike
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Labellum length:
- 2–3 mm
- Sepal length:
- Up to 7 mm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |