Lepanthopsis melanantha (Rchb.f.) Ames
Crimson Pygmy Orchid, Tiny Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Lepanthes brevipetala, Pleurothallis melanantha
Lepanthopsis melanantha, the Tiny Orchid, is distributed throughout the Caribbean including Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico with a single historical population confined to the Fakahatchee Swamp-Big Cypress area in south Florida. This orchid has an erect stem up to 5 cm in height surrounded by a series of tubular sheaths that terminates with a single small leaf. The very slender raceme arises from the base of the leaf with 5-7 carmine red flowers. The round lip is thick and fleshy and surrounds the column. The flowering period is primarily during the spring. Plants grow on the tips of cypress or pond apple branches, trunks of oaks, and at the base of bromeliads in mixed hardwood-cypress swamps and wet hammocks.
Lepanthopsis melanantha is considered vulnerable across its range but is endangered in Florida where this orchid has not been seen for several years and may be extirpated.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported.
Ecosystem Type
Swamps, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- epiphyte
- Number of leaves on stem:
- one
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
-
- blue to purple
- pink to red
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Labellum length:
- Up to 1 mm
- Sepal length:
- 1.8–2 mm
- Plant height:
- 4–7 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Vulnerable |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |