Encyclia is a species rich genus that is distributed widely throughout the New World tropics with two species in Florida and the greatest concentration occurring in Mexico. Most species are evergreen, sympodial epiphytes or terrestrials and occur in seasonally dry to wet forests. Pear to onion-shaped ovoid pseudobulbs are partially subtended by several, thin, dry sheaths and each has two or three, fleshly, strap-like leaves borne toward the tip. Inflorescences are often multi-branched and borne from the stem tip. Most species have showy, fragrant flowers found in a wide range of colors and shades of yellow, brown, green, and pink. The tri-lobed lip encircles the stout or slender, footless column.

North American Species in this Genus

• Encyclia rufa
• Encyclia tampensis