Cyrtopodium flavum (Nees) Link & Otto ex Rchb.
Yellow Cowhorn Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Cyrtopodium paranaense, Epidendrum polyphyllum
Cyrtopodium flavum, the Yellow Cowhorn Orchid, is native to Brazil and has become naturalized in Florida. It is a terrestrial orchid while the other species in Florida (Cyrtopodium punctatum) is an epiphyte. This spectacular orchid produces 10-12 plicate, leathery leaves and an inflorescence with 30-50 bright yellow flowers on an erect panicle that is up to 75 cm long. Pseudobulbs are up to 60 cm in length. Cyrtopodium flavum blooms in April to June in vacant lots and pine dominated sites.
Cyrtopodium flavum is globally secure and has been naturalized in southeastern Florida.
Pollination
Cyrtopodium flavum is pollinated by oil collecting bees from the genus Centris. Oil collecting bees provision their brood cells with a mixture of edible oils that they collect from unusual oil and pollen reward flowers, such as those found in the family Malpighiaceae.
This is a naturalized orchid, and is most likely pollinated by a naturalized population of Centris bees, not the native Centris which pollinate Cyrtopodium punctatum, a Florida native orchid.
Ecosystem Type
Disturbed habitats, grassland, meadows, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- 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 panicle
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- 15 mm
- Sepal length:
- Up to 15 mm
- Plant height:
- Up to 60 cm
Native to North America
No
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |