Dichromanthus michuacanus (Lex.) Salazar & Soto Arenas
Michuacan Lady Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Schiedeella michuacana, Spiranthes michuacana, Stenorrhynchos michuacanum
Dichromanthus michuacanus, the Michuacan Lady Orchid, was discovered in the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico. Widely distributed in Mexico, this orchid just crosses the border into the mountains of Arizona and Texas. The inflorescence has up to 30 tubular flowers, usually facing the same direction, south to southwest. These pale green flowers have dark green stripes on the sepals, petals and lip and are covered with fine hairs. Even without flowers, this orchid is easy to identify with its broad, pale green leaves that are unique among plants in its desert habitat. This orchid can be found growing on flat terrain or hillsides within alligator juniper woodlands.
Dichromanthus michuacanus is apparently secure throughout its range, although its conservation status has not been determined in Texas, and in Arizona where it may be threatened by cattle grazing.
Pollination
The large, fragrant and colorful flowers of this orchid are thought to be pollinated by bumble bees or carpenter bees.
Ecosystem Type
Stream bank, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- three
- four
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Main color of labellum:
-
- green to brown
- other
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum length:
- Up to 70 mm
- Sepal length:
- Up to 17 mm
- Plant height:
- 13–80 cm
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 |