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Old 07-07-2004, 01:02 PM
prem_s
 
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Default PHOTOS: Encyclia tampensis

Encyclia tampensis is a species native to the southern half of
peninsular Florida and parts of the Bahamas. Originally discovered near
Tampa Bay, this orchid's specific name means "from Tampa". It obviously
possesses some cold-hardiness, tolerating temperatures below freezing
for a few hours (however, cold spells in Florida in recent years have
reduced the range of this species from what had once been observed).

Just-mature plants are not terribly big, but as Stewart's "monster" can
attest to, they can become impressive specimens over time. These
epiphytes inhabit several host species, including live oaks and bald
cypress, where their small onion-shaped bulbs give rise to one
(sometimes two) long, grasslike leaf/leaves. Blooming usually happens
in May through July, with panicles of fragrant flowers. Known as the
"Florida Butterfly Orchid", this is a favorite in cultivation and, more
recently, in hybridization.

The typical flower color form consists of green sepals and petals tinged
with red with a white three-lobed lip bearing a prominent magenta
blotch. The flowers are usually between 1 and 1.5 inches in diameter:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics...ampensis01.jpg

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics...ampensis02.jpg

Of course, perhaps the most famous of the "tampies" is the AM awarded
'Mendenhall' which is an albo-labia variety:

http://www.premdesign.com/orchidpics...mendenhall.jpg

It is unfortunate that this latter form is probably the most widely
offered variety of Enc. tampensis, as opposed to the colorful variety,
which I personally find much more attractive.

Variation in flower form, color, and fragrance quality can be seen
throughout their range, representing possible introduction of genes from
other species of Encyclia (such as Enc. phoenicea and Enc. plicata)
common to the Bahamas. These less cold-hardy species likely colonized a
niche in Florida for awhile, surviving long enough to contribute some
genes to the indigenous gene pool before the next big frost killed them
off. Or, conversely, parent plants from the Bahamas carried a variety
of these genes which then became expressed in various degrees throughout
the eons.

Special thanks to Mike Clark (Clark or ClarkM on various orchid forums)
for the loan of his plant to photograph (none of mine spiked this year)
and the division of his blooming 'Mendenhall'.

---Prem

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