Zeuxine strateumatica (L.) Schltr.
Lawn Orchid, Soldier Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Adenostylis strateumatica, Orchis strateumatica
Zeuxine strateumatica, commonly known as the Lawn Orchid, is native to Asia but has become naturalized in the southeast U.S. and the Hawaiian Islands and was recently reported in Palm Springs, California. These plants are dark green when found in shaded habitats but appear reddish-bronze when growing in full sunlight. The narrow leaves are spirally arranged on the stem that terminates in an inflorescence with numerous small white flowers with a bright yellow labellum. Zeuxine strateumatica blooms in late October through April in lawns, shrub borders, roadsides, farm fields, and occasionally hardwood hammocks and pinelands. Plants can even be found in cracks in cement.
The conservation status for Zeuxine strateumatica has not been reported but this orchid occurs over a large geographical area and can be invasive, capable of exploiting a variety of habitats.
Ecosystem Type
Disturbed habitats, floodplains, forests, grassland, meadows, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- 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:
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a spike
- Labellum characteristics:
-
- the labellum is lobed
- the labellum is saccate
- Labellum length:
- Up to 4 mm
- Sepal length:
- 4–6 mm
- Plant height:
- 4–25 cm
Native to North America
No
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | N/A |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |