Epidendrums
During our recent visit to Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Dave and I took lots of Epidendrum photos. Mexico has many native varieties. It was easy to see that they’re tough plants like my own, and reliable bloomers. Some of the most colorful ones were growing in full tropical sun.
The Epidendrum species known as the Greenfly Orchid is less colorful, but no less fascinating. It’s native to eastern Mexico and the southeastern USA, where it grows in a wide range from Louisiana to North Carolina and south to Florida. This species can tolerate light freezes. Its masses of small, greenish-yellow flowers have a sweet scent. Botanists changed its name several years ago from Epidendrum conopseum to Epidendrum magnoliae, but the nickname Greenfly Orchid remains the same.
Without a name tag, I’m not sure what this next species is. It may be Epidendrum atroscriptum, which is native to southern Mexico. But it also looks like Epidendrum paniculatum. Fortunately, the Mexican Hermit Hummingbird in the final photo didn’t care about long Latin names. Paused on a branch at Vallarta Botanical Gardens, it appeared to share our appreciation of these beautiful blooms.
Explore posts in the same categories: Botanical Gardens, Fragrant Orchids, Photos, Warm Growers
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February 21st, 2011 at 11:33 am
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February 22nd, 2011 at 8:26 am
thanks for this nice post
February 24th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I love the little yellow ones. They look like little birds coming in for alanding. Great hummingbird shot too!
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:31 pm
thank you for this.. by the way, your layout is great.
March 3rd, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Nice blog. That is an intersting orchid to be coming out for United states of america?