Anoectochilus sandvicensis Lindl.

Hawaiian Jeweled Orchid, Honohono

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Anoectochilus apiculatus, Anoectochilus sandvicensis var. apiculatus, Odontochilus sandvicensis, Vrydagzynea sandvicensis

Anoectochilus sandvicensis, the Hawaiian Jeweled Orchid, is the most common of Hawaii's 3 endemic orchids and occurs on most of the main islands. This orchid has a creeping stem that roots readily at nodes with dark green leaves restricted to the upper portion of the stem. The inflorescence is a loose raceme of yellowish-green, resupinate flowers in which the lateral petals and dorsal sepal form a hood over the column. The yellow labellum is relatively large and the base is divided into 2 spurs. This orchid grows in dense shade on wet ground or on the lower parts of tree trunks in wet forests.

Anoectochilus sandvicensis is considered vulnerable to invasive species, feral pigs and populations have been impacted by herbivory from snails.

Ecosystem Type

Forests

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
whorled
Number of leaves on stem:
  • four
  • five
  • six
Form of the labellum:
the labellum is not pouch-like
Labellum outline:
the labellum is lobed
Main color of labellum:
yellow
Nectar spur:
present
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence is a raceme
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum is lobed
Labellum length:
9–12 mm
Sepal length:
6–8 mm
Plant height:
10–50 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 Vulnerable
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data