Prosthechea pygmaea (Hook.) W.E.Higgins
Dwarf Butterfly Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Encyclia pygmaea, Epidendrum pygmaeum, Hormidium hioramii
Prosthechea pygmaea, the Dwarf Butterfly Orchid, is distributed in the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America, and extends into the swamps of south Florida. A single plant may consist of a tangle of creeping rhizomes that connect small, dark green pseudobulbs, each with a pair of apical leaves. This orchid blooms from October-January, producing a terminal inflorescence with 1-3 light green, sessile flowers with a white lip that has a bright purple tip. The flowers may not open fully and often flowers and the 3-winged fruits are found on the same inflorescence. This orchid grows on the trunks and branches of trees such as pop ash and pond apple in swamps and sloughs where individual plants may form large patches.
Prosthechea pygmaea is apparently secure across its broad distribution but is considered endangered in Florida where it is one of the rarest and smallest flowered orchids.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported in North America but in other parts of its range this orchid is autogamous.
Ecosystem Type
Forests, swamps, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- epiphyte
- Leaf arrangement:
- stem
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- two
- three
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- blue to purple
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence has one flower or a pair of flowers
- Labellum characteristics:
-
- the labellum is lobed
- the labellum is saccate
- Labellum length:
- Up to 2 mm
- Sepal length:
- 5–6 mm
- Plant height:
- Up to 12 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 |