Stelis gelida (Lindl.) Pridgeon & M.W.Chase
Frosted Pleurothallis
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Humboltia gelida, Pleurothallis gelida
Stelis gelida, commonly known as the Frosted Pleurothallis, is widely distributed in tropical America including Mexico and Cuba and reaches its northern limit in Florida. This orchid has a stout stem with a solitary, large leaf and an inflorescence of pubescent, yellowish flowers that alternate along the slender raceme. The dorsal sepal is ovate and the lateral sepals are elliptic, while the petals are oblong. This plant can form large, widely-scattered colonies on a variety of trees including oak, pop ash, pond apple, and maple in cypress sloughs.
Stelis gelida is considered secure across its wide distribution in tropical America but is endangered in Florida where most populations are restricted to the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by flies in Drosophilidae and Empididae as well as some beetles such as lady bugs and chrysomelids.
Ecosystem Type
Swamps
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- epiphyte
- Number of leaves on stem:
- one
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- 2–3 mm
- Sepal length:
- 5–8 mm
- Plant height:
- 10–50 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |