Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendle
Wild Coco
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Cyrtopera alta, Cyrtopodium woodfordii
Eulophia alta, commonly known as Wild Coco, is one of the largest and showiest terrestrial orchids native to Georgia and Florida with a broad distribution that includes the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and Africa. This plant produces 4-6 leaves that are yellow-green in color, plicate, and lanceolate and 20-50 flowers on a tall, loose raceme. The sepals and petals vary in color from pale pink to green to a deep, rich burgundy. Each blossom is large with markings that look like a German Shepherd that has an alert expression with erect ears and panting tongue. The flowering period begins in July and may extend into January. This orchid grows in a variety of habitats, including roadside ditches, riverbanks or open, lightly wooded swamps and pastures.
Eulophia alta is apparently secure across its broad distribution.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported in North America but autogamy has been reported in populations in other parts of its range.
Ecosystem Type
Floodplains, shrublands or thickets, swamps, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
-
- alternate
- basal
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- one
- two
- three
- four
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- blue to purple
- crimson
- green to brown
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
-
- the labellum is lobed
- the labellum is saccate
- Labellum length:
- 11–17 mm
- Sepal length:
- Up to 23 mm
- Plant height:
- 50–150 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |