Triphora yucatanensis Ames

Rickett's Noddingcaps

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Pogonia yucatanensis, Triphora rickettii

Triphora yucatanensis, commonly known as Rickett's Noddingcaps, is one of three orchids in this genus endemic to Florida. This orchid is 8-20 cm tall and produces 5-10 dark green leaves that alternate on a green, suffused with purple stem. The inflorescence develops in July through October and has 1-8 pale greenish-yellow flowers that never fully open. Restricted to a few sites in central Florida, this orchid grows in deciduous and mixed damp woodlands. Its primary habitat has been heavily impacted by agriculture and development.

Triphora yucatanensis is considered critically imperiled.

Ecosystem Type

Forests, shrublands or thickets, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
alternate
Number of leaves on stem:
  • five
  • six
  • seven or more
Form of the labellum:
the labellum is not pouch-like
Labellum outline:
the labellum is lobed
Main color of labellum:
yellow
Nectar spur:
absent
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence is a raceme
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum is lobed
Labellum length:
Up to 6 mm
Sepal length:
Up to 8 mm
Plant height:
8–20 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