Encyclia tampensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butterfly orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
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Epidendreae
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| Subtribe: |
Laeliinae
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| Genus: |
Encyclia
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| Section: |
E. sect. Hymenochila
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| Species: |
E. tampensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Encyclia tampensis (Lindl.) Small (1913)
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Encyclia tampensis is a beautiful type of orchid often called the Tampa butterfly orchid. Its name comes from the Greek word "enkykleoma," meaning "to encircle," and "tampensis" because it's found near Tampa, Florida. This lovely flowering plant belongs to the large orchid family. It was first officially described in 1847.
Where It Grows
The Tampa butterfly orchid is native to Florida and the Bahamas. You can also find a different type of it in Cuba. This orchid is an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants, but it doesn't harm them. It uses the other plants for support.
It often grows on southern live oak trees. You can also find it on pond apple trees, mangroves, Bald Cypress trees, pines, and palms. These orchids like to grow in warm, wet areas like tropical hardwood hammocks and along rivers. They are even found in the salty Florida Keys.
What It Looks Like
The Encyclia tampensis has dark green, roundish stems called pseudobulbs, which are about 7 cm long. Its narrow leaves can grow up to 16 cm long and 2 cm wide.
When the plants are grown up, they produce a branched flower stalk in the summer. This stalk holds several flowers. Each flower has green to bronze outer parts called sepals and inner parts called petals. In the center is a white "lip" with a purple dot. The flowers are about 2.5 cm across and smell nice. They are called butterfly orchids because they sometimes flutter in the breeze, looking like butterflies.
There are some natural differences in the colors and patterns of these orchids. For example, there's a type in Cuba called encyclia tampense var amesiana. There is also an "alba" variety, which means it has white flowers.
Protecting the Orchid
Even though the Tampa butterfly orchid is one of Florida's most common native orchids, it is a protected plant. This means it needs special care to keep it safe from being over-collected.
If someone wants to collect these orchids from the wild to sell them, they must get a special permit. It's also against the rules to collect more than two orchids for personal use from private land without a permit. You cannot collect any at all from public lands. However, special plant nurseries are allowed to grow and sell these protected orchids. This helps make sure these beautiful plants continue to thrive.
