Epidendrum nocturnum Jacq.
Night Fragrant Epidendrum
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Auliza nocturna, Epidendrum bahiense, Nyctosma nocturna
Epidendrum nocturnum, the Night Fragrant Epidendrum, is the largest-flowered and most distinctive species of Epidendrum found in Florida and occurs in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. This orchid produces 4-10 dark green leaves that are elliptic in shape and alternate on the stem and up to 5 flowers on a short-stemmed raceme. The petals and sepals are yellowish in color with a long and slender shape and the lip is white with 3 lobes. Most flowers are self-fertilized before they open. The flowering period for this orchid is July-January but it can flower any time of the year. This orchid grows throughout the swamps and hammocks in the southern part of Florida on several varieties of trees, including cabbage palm, pop ash, and pond apple.
Epidendrum nocturnum is apparently secure across its range but is endangered in Florida.
Pollination
The white flowers of this orchid are fragrant at night but often do not open. This orchid is capable of self-pollination and does not need an insect pollinator for reproduction.
Ecosystem Type
Swamps
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- epiphyte
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- four
- five
- six
- seven or more
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- white
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence has one flower or a pair of flowers
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- Up to 40 mm
- Sepal length:
- Up to 60 mm
- Plant height:
- Up to 110 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 |