Eulophia ecristata (Fernald) Ames
Giant Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Cyrtopodium ecristata, Pteroglossaspis ecristata
Eulophia ecristata, commonly known as the Giant Orchid, extends from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Louisiana and occurs in Cuba. This species has 3-4 large basal leaves up to 70 cm in length and bears an inflorescence of 10-30 flowers on a terminal raceme that is leafless except for a few bracts. The sepals and petals of the flowers are yellow green and folded forward over the 3-lobed lip. The prominent central lobe is maroon with green margins. Populations found in Florida are a self-pollinating form. It blooms in August through October in old fields, orchards, pine flatwoods, and grasslands with sandy soil.
Eulophia ecristata is considered globally imperiled and may be threatened or endangered throughout its North American range.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported in North America but autogamy has been observed in populations in other parts of its range.
Ecosystem Type
Shrublands or thickets, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- three
- four
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- blue to purple
- green to brown
- pink to red
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- 10–15 mm
- Sepal length:
- 10–15 mm
- Plant height:
- 30–130 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Imperiled |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |