Cyclopogon elatus (Sw.) Schltr.

Tall Neottia

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Beadlea elata, Spiranthes elata

Cyclopogon elatus, commonly known as the Tall Neottia, is distributed in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, northern South America and in Florida where it is exceedingly rare. This plant has 4-6 elliptic green leaves that grow in an erect basal rosette and wither at or just after flowering. It flowers in March, producing 10-30 flowers with appressed sepals and petals greenish brown in color and the lip is white marked with tan. Cyclopogon elatus prefers the damp, shady forests of southern Florida's hardwood hammocks.

Cyclopogon elatus is widely distributed in tropical America and its conservation status is apparently secure. However in South Florida, this orchid is rare and endangered, and may be extirpated in some of its previous locations.

Pollination

This orchid is pollinated by sweat bees in the family Halictidae.

Ecosystem Type

Forests, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
basal
Number of leaves on stem:
absent
Form of the labellum:
the labellum is not pouch-like
Labellum outline:
the labellum is simple
Main color of labellum:
  • green to brown
  • white
Nectar spur:
absent
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence is a spike
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum is saccate
Labellum length:
5–7 mm
Sepal length:
4–7 mm
Plant height:
20–55 cm
Show All Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution

Conservation Status

Select a location to view conservation status:

Conservation and Wetland Status
Global Rank Apparently Secure
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data