Triphora craigheadii Luer

Craighead's Noddingcaps

Facts About

There are no synonyms for this orchid.

Triphora craigheadii, commonly known as Craighead's Noddingcaps, is one of three endemic Florida orchids and restricted to a few sites in central Florida. The leaves of this small orchid are deep purple on the underside, and have an interesting ovate/cordate shape. The inflorescence has 1 to 3 white flowers suffused with purple and green that open at night and begin to close at noon. Triphora craigheadii blooms in late June to early July in deciduous and mixed damp woodlands.

Triphora craigheadii is considered critically imperiled. Habitat destruction and over-collecting pose a threat to this orchid's survival which has only three known occurrences in Florida.

Ecosystem Type

Forests, shrublands or thickets, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
alternate
Number of leaves on stem:
  • one
  • two
  • three
  • four
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 is a raceme
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum is lobed
Labellum length:
5–6 mm
Sepal length:
Up to 6 mm
Plant height:
4–8 cm
Show All Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution

Conservation Status

Select a location to view conservation status:

Conservation and Wetland Status
Global Rank Critically Imperiled
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data