Greenwoodiella deserticola Salazar, Hernández-López & J. Sharma
Chihuahuan Desert Orchid
Facts About
There are no synonyms for this orchid.
Greenwoodiella deserticola, the Chihuahuan Desert Orchid, has a very limited distribution in the Chisos Mountains of southern Texas and northern Mexico. This recently discovered orchid has a single, leathery leaf that is grayish purple on the underside, and usually withers at the time of flowering. The inflorescence has relatively few tubular flowers and the white labellum with its large yellow blotch and 5 green veins distinguishes this species from similar orchids. It is often found growing in the shade of large Agave plants or oak-juniper-pinyon woodlands.
Although the conservation status for Greenwoodiella deserticola has not been determined, the U.S. Park Service is drafting a Conservation Plan for this newly discovered species.
Ecosystem Type
Shrublands or thickets, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Number of leaves on stem:
- one
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a spike
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Sepal length:
- 3.5–6.5 mm
- Plant height:
- 23–47 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | N/A |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |