Encyclia tampensis

Taxobox
name = Butterfly Orchid

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regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Orchidales
familia = Orchidaceae
subfamilia = Epidendroideae
genus = "Encyclia"
species = "E. tampensis"
binomial = "Encyclia tampensis"
binomial_authority = (Lindl.) Small

"Encyclia tampensis" (Encyclia from Greek - enkykleoma "to encircle" and tampensis - "Tampa") or Butterfly Orchid is a species of flowering plant in the Orchid family, subfamily Epidendroideae. Native to Florida and nearby islands including Cuba and the Bahamas, [www.encyclias.org/Members%20Only/Member%20Sheets/Enc.tampensis.htm] "E. tampensis" is an epiphyte commonly found on mangroves, oaks, palms and pine trees. Despite being Florida's most common endemic orchid, [ [http://www.floridagardener.com/FLNatives/ButterflyOrchid.htm Encyclia tampensis, Butterfly Orchid ] ] they are a protected species and collection from the wild is prohibited. This species was first described by John Torrey in 1846. [ [http://www.killerplants.com/plant-of-the-week/20040621.asp Plant of the Week 06/21/2004: Florida Butterfly Orchid (Encyclia tampensis) ] ]

Description

This Encyclia species grows from grey to green 7 cm pseudobulbs with narrow foliage up to 16 cm in length and 2 cm in width. Mature plants produce a branched inflorescence containing several flowers with green to bronze sepals and petals surrounding a white lip with a purple dot. Flowers are alternate, 2.5 cm in diameter and fragrant. Many variations in color and markings exist in the wild where natural hybridization occurs.

Notes