Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Diacrium bidentatum, Encyclia boothiana, Epidendrum bidentatum, Pseudencyclia boothiana

Prosthechea boothiana, commonly known as the Florida Dollar Orchid or Booth's Orchid, is distributed in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and extends into south Florida. This orchid has distinctive round, flattened pseudobulbs. This plant usually bears 1-3 keeled, bright green leaves and 1-15 flowers that are yellow to tan with darker brown or purplish blotches, and a lip white to pale yellow-green with less markings. The flowers are "triandrous," having three anthers instead of two anthers and a rostellum, resulting in self-fertilization. This orchid can be found on low branches and trunks of a variety of trees and is widespread in swamps but rare in freshwater habitats.

Prosthechea boothiana is endangered in Florida, although this orchid is considered apparently secure across its range.

Pollination

The autogamous, 3-anthered Prosthechea boothiana var. erythronioides is the only variety found in Florida, probably because of the absence of a pollinator. Throughout the rest of the distribution of the species, the 3-anthered plants seldom occur. As most other autogamous tropical orchids in Florida, it has been able to survive there only because of the self-pollinating feature.

Ecosystem Type

Swamps, woodlands

Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution