Here is a picture that was posted when I first found them.
Some of plants were dug out to put in the pots, and some were left in the original spot. I even passed along some to my friends. For two or three months, I checked their progress very often, but they did nothing, even the leaves did not have noticeable growth. So I stopped checking them, they were left under the bushes, and got the rainfall irrigation like any plant in wild does.
A couple of weeks ago, I surprisingly found out that there were flower spikes shooting up from them. They looked just like the regular orchid flower spikes. Since the buds were very small, I started suspecting if it is LadySlipper orchid or not. Finally, now they are blooming. The flowers are very small, only a penny size. The flower does look like an orchid, but definitely not like a LadySlipper orchid.
Just give you an idea the size of the flowers, this is a picture of this wild orchid placed next to a dendrobium orchid container.
Since the flowers are so small, I had hard time to get them focused on camera to show you the detail. This is about the best I can do.
Yes, I was a little disappointed, but I am not complaining. I still consider my garden is blessed to have wild orchids growing. After all, I did not even pay a penny for these orchids. As small as the flowers are, they do look pretty up close. Don't you think?
Anybody has seen something like this before? Still would like to know if it has some official name. The leaves are mottled, just look like some Lady Slipper orchids' leaves. I think that was the major reason that it was identified as Lady Slipper at the beginning.
I remember when you first found those orchids... what a blessing to have wild orchids. I love the tiny blooms. Don't know the name of them either but I have a feeling you are going to enjoy them for a long time to come.
ReplyDeleteMeems
Ami! How exciting!! You must be exstatic...I know I would be! Good for you! Great find and save!!
ReplyDeleteOops. This looks like Oeceoclades maculata, aka Monk Orchid, which has naturalized in South Florida. That bloom always helps in ID'ing, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteAmi ~ What a sweet little orchid that decided to make its home in your gardens. I love the delicate little blooms and know you're going to enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Lucky you! Those are so cute. I'm glad Floridagirl was able to ID them for you. Dainty little blooms and free can't be beat.
ReplyDeleteI love how orchids bloom best when left alone under a tree somewhere. A very delicate little bloom. Sometimes the small flowers you have to stoop down to see closer are the ones that make you stay in a garden just that little bit longer....
ReplyDeletePretty little orchids.
ReplyDeleteI guess you are wondering now whether you want to continue keeping them for your attention after seeing the blooms isn't it?
They look so sweet and pretty. Wild orchids are so exotic.
ReplyDeleteI think its a sweet little orchid. I have a little wild one much smaller again than yours that grows in my garden and I feel quite priviledged that one has taken residence there. I'm sure you feel the same way Ami!
ReplyDeleteFloridaGirl:
ReplyDeleteThanks for identifying this orchid for me again! I looked up, and I do believe Oeceoclades maculata is the right name for this orchid.
To All:
Thanks for all your nice comments! I believe what FloridaGirl identified is correct, this wild orchid is Oeceoclades maculata, aka Monk Orchid. Unfortunately, this one is also listed as one of invasive species, and currently only can be found in South Florida.
It is kind of hard to believe an Orchid can be "invasive"... For now, I will try to contain them in my own garden, and I do like their sweet little blooms though!
Hi Ami...I remember when you first posted on them and I was envious of your discovery. How exciting that they have bloomed for you...they are darling. I'm still envious! :-)
ReplyDeleteIf no one can I.D. them, try Prem over at Flnativeorchids.com. He's an expert.
Enjoy your unique find.
I just think it is so amazing that you actually found wild orchids growing outdoors in the garden. Any orchids in our area are found inside, like my two moth orchids beind my kitchen sink ;-)
ReplyDeletedefinitely pretty! That's wonderful that you saved these little guys. They're survivors!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy its blooming, but I'm a little saddened to find out what it is. On the dave's garden profile it was said that they've made it up to Gainesville! As long as they don't get out of control I suppose.
ReplyDeleteAmi, I found the same orchid in my garden last year, so far no flowers. Thanks for solving the mystery.
ReplyDeleteHa! I found wild orchids growing in an abandoned lot in Miami, wish they were in my backyard. You are so lucky. Great find!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for getting the name for your adopted orchids. They are definitely lovely and in the future this type of orchids will be demanded more when all those in the markets are the hybrids. I also have some endemics which are small and maybe also good for breeding for some botanical characteristics. However, mine are mostly Phalaenopsis species. Now your flowers become so precious because you waited long for its name.
ReplyDeleteThe reason is that it looks so easy to do and it feels such a shame to spend all that money hiring somebody else. Why not save all that money, we would argue. It is very understandable but totally shallow if you really come to think of it. Looking at it more closely,pest control Melbourne
ReplyDeleteHi, I live in Naples, Florida and I too am finding wild orchids all over my yard. I put some in our backyard Oak trees and they seem to be happy. I thought they were Monk orchids but my blooms are quite different from yours. How do I attach a picture? I am hoping that someone will be able to help me identify them. ��
ReplyDeleteTricia
Hi, I live in Naples, Florida and I too am finding wild orchids all over my yard. I put some in our backyard Oak trees and they seem to be happy. I thought they were Monk orchids but my blooms are quite different from yours. How do I attach a picture? I am hoping that someone will be able to help me identify them. ��
ReplyDeleteTricia
Omg guys I just found some in my landscape front area. I am so excited!!! I took my 3 year old to find treasure and boom they they were.
ReplyDeleteCool blog! I've landed here by happenstance, as I was searching Google Images, for a reference photo that I could really zoom in on. I also live in SoFlo - St. Lucie County [Part of the Treasure Coast, an hour north of West Palm Beach].
ReplyDeleteApprox. 8 years ago, I was clearing out a part of my property that still has about 1/2 an acre of shady Oaks, Palmettos and quite a bit of that ground cover, of which name has eluded me, which is green and purple + slightly vine looking in appearance.
Anyways, the further I got in making a clearing for some wooden chairs and a few wood tables to pot plants, manicure, and work as an orchid workbench for unpotting as many as possible and surround the seating area with them in the oak trees...naturalizing them; that's when it happened one day, oh so randomly.
I was looking off to some overgrown area and noticed a spike with about 8 or 10 flowers on two spikes shooting up from about six or so mottled looking leaves.
Honestly my first reaction was, "holy S**t, is that a ground orchid?!". Truly I did, and I think it's because a friend and I took a nature walk somewhere in Vero Beach [very rugged paths and extensive], when I was walking behind her and noticed this tall white spike of flowers about 3' tall and the flowers were blooming in a spiral pattern. From the bottom to the top, total spiral. So, I hollered for her to wait and I kneeled down to look for its leaves, they looked just like some kind of orchid, the flower was definitely an orchid, all be it smallish in scale. So, besides seeing a grass pink orchid amongst a large patch of sundews and venus flytraps, with a few other carnivorous plants I had never heard of, but took many pictures...this is how I identified that pretty pink flower to be an orchid [10 years ago].
That was the FIRST time I'd seen a ground orchid in it's natural habitat. I was so excited. Then that spiral one in Vero Beach. Lastly, my own freaking property. - I ran inside after seeing those two spikes, and grabbed my Canon Rebel [the "good camera" as we call it], and took a ton of photos [now lost after a computer Malware locker or whatever it's called, essentially asking for tons of money to unlock my pictures and documents folder. I hope nobody else fell prey to such shenanigans. It really sucked!
Before I uploaded pictures to really view them at super resolutions, I did inspect the flowers and they were, again, an natural ground orchid in situ.
**side-note: After confirming with the internet and my photos, Yes they were the white and pink, annoyingly small flowered orchid, nicknamed 'Monkshood Orchid' [I think I read non native, invasive orchid originating from Cuba, but now SoFlo had become it's second home quite nicely. I believe it mentioned they tend to only grow in the shady undergrowth of larger trees with their roots relying on a mold that happens during the decomposition of oak leaves [possibly among other decomposing vegetation caused by this fungus].
So, I thank you Ami for the time to tell my story. I realize your post was 11-12 years ago, but your blog is still attracting Floridians like myself and that is a fantastic treat.
Oh, HA! The reason I was looking for a picture was for second hand details I can zoom in on, if I needed to. While I really sketch out and then paint a botanical watercolor image of their chunky finger like roots, variegated leaves [which are beautiful on their own], the seedpods, and borrowing a flower from your reference...for the one I picked up and cleaned [which I will return once I finish] has four seed pods but NO FLOWER!
Thanks again...right, like some other postee said, "I wish I could upload a picture", this way I could show you my painting when it's finished...in about 2 hrs.
Take care!