Species, Natural Hybrid Orchid, Monk Orchid, Spotted Oeceoclades

The Monk Orchid is also now common in the southern counties of Florida and is spreading rapidly into the central half of the state. It wa...Read Mores introduced from Africa and has become naturalized and established in natural areas and disturbed areas of much of south Florida, mostly due to discarded plants in mulch, waste or garbage, but also as escapees from backyards and gardens as well. There is also an isolated population of the species in Alachua County in north-central Florida and are thriving there, probably sustained and established due to discarded plants as well. The Alachua County population may succumb to freezes and cool temperatures but quickly regenerate or recover, sustaining or spreading the population, despite that the species is cold-sensitive in winter in north-central, north, and parts of central Florida. This orchid is very similar to Sansevieria, or Snake Plant AKA Mother-in-Law's Tongue, except that the flowers are not in clusters like a Sansevieria. The species is becoming increasingly common and spreading in south and central Florida, and may impact native plants such as groundcovers, although it is not yet listed as a pest or potential pest on either category of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's Pest Plant Lists.

MORE FACTS - Now found in natural and disturbed areas of much of southern Florida; spreadfing northward into central counties of Florida. The species, although cold-sensitive, quickly regenerates in spring, after a freeze or cool weather in Florida, alllowing it to spread as far north as north-central and northern Florida (So far, only one population is in north-central Florida, in Alachua County; however, the population is sustaining or spreading).

This terrestrial orchid has an uncertain origin, probably native from west tropical Africa. However, it is a volunteer plant from Argenti...Read Morena to Florida, living under a large range of soil types, prefering light shaded places and moderate moisture/humidity.

It has egg-shaped pseudobulbs that stay half burried, with only 1 leaf on the top. This leaf is leathery, deep green, with several dark green spots and irregular marks (an sterile plant looks very like a short Sansevieria). The floral stalk grows from the base of the plant, bearing several small, cream to white flowers with a pink labellum. The flowers are exceptionally fertile, and it is very common to see seed pods on the plant (which would explain how it became a successful plant in America).

It needs light shade, well drained soil, regular watering, and moderate to high temperatures.

I found a few of them growing wild on white sand under a fig tree, and for a moment I thought it was a Sansevieria. If I didn´t notice the pseudobulbs, I would just have ignored this orchid, since it was not blooming. And interesting orchid that can be cultivated for its interesting foliage.