Invasive orchid resurgence in Charlotte County

Beginning in 2012, we started spotting a curious invasive orchid known as “The Beautiful Crown Orchid" popping up all over our landscapes in mulched beds.  While it seemed to be declining in some areas, I have seen a recent resurgence of this weedy plant at other sites.  Despite its name, this invasive orchid is not that attractive and is in fact rather drab. Why couldn’t Charlotte County be invaded by something like a beautiful cattleya orchid!  The educated gardener should be aware of what it looks like and become familiar with some interesting background information.

This orchid is botanically identified as Eulophia graminea, a type of ground orchid.  Native to tropical and subtropical parts of Asia where it can be found in a variety of habitats, this orchid first showed up in Miami in 2007, probably as a result of an escape from an orchid collector, and then in 2011 in Lee County.  This ground orchid appears to favor mulched landscape beds in sunny locations.  While many of the ones that I have seen in Charlotte County have been associated with mulched beds, some have been seen in natural areas.   At first glance, you would think that it was a relative of the Amaryllis or even an onion as it has a thick bulb-like base.   The short, lily-like leaves almost remind me of daylily leaves.  However, if you look closer you will notice that the bulb is actually what is called a pseudobulb, a storage organ, often associated with orchids.  From this pseudobulb (which often sticks partway out of the mulch), appear up to five short, strap-like leaves.  At maturity this orchid produces a long shoot (up to several feet tall) with a cluster of very small flowers.  The flowers  –  white with pink and green in color –  are followed by seed pods full of tiny seeds.

Orchids reproduce via minute, dust-like seeds that can travel in the wind, as well as from orchid plant parts, the pseudobulbs.  This is probably how they have spread through our area.  Information on this orchid also indicates that it can tolerate fairly cool temperatures and is likely to continue moving north.  If you see one of these orchids, pull it up and destroy it to keep it from spreading.  We can certainly help you identify it at our office or simply send me a digital photo to my e-mail address:   Ralph.Mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov.

Invasive pests – whether plants, insects, or other similar organisms – seem to be a fact of life here in Florida.  Vigilance is part of the management strategy so that offending individuals such as this ground orchid can be controlled at least on your own property.  For more information on all types of invasive plants and animals, please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area.  Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.

Resources:

Brown, S. H., Becker, T. & Cruz, P. (2012) Eulophia graminea a Potentially Invasive Ground Orchid.  The University of Florida Extension Service - Lee County. 

EDDMapS Floridahttp://www.eddmaps.org/distribution/point.cfm?id=2482748 – Submission by Culbert, D., UF/IFAS Okeechobee Extension Service.

Hammer, R. 17360 Avocado Drive, Homestead  FL  33030 – Personal Communication.

Pemberton, B. & Koptur, S. A Newly Naturalized Orchid Found in Florida. June 2008. American Orchid Society, Coral Gables.

Pemberton, B., et al. Alien Terrestrial Orchid, Eulophia Graminea, Invades Miami.

Weaver, R.E. and Anderson, P.J. 2009. Botany Section. Tri-Ology. FDACS, Tallahassee, Florida