Triphora gentianoides (Sw.) Nutt. ex Ames & Schltr.
Gentian Noddingcaps, Least Flowered Triphora
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Arethusa gentianoides, Pogonia lutea
Triphora gentianoides, commonly known as Gentian Noddingcaps or the Least Flowered Triphora, is found in the West Indies, Central America, northern South America, and southern counties in Florida. This plant has 3-10 brownish green ovate leaves that clasp the stem and an inflorescence of 3-10 whitish yellow, pale green flowers develops in late June through early August. The greenish-white lip is 3 lobed. Triphora gentianoides may occur in gardens, mulched areas, and occasionally in natural areas and there is some question whether this orchid is a native or naturalized species.
Triphora gentianoides is apparently secure. Although found infrequently, it may be abundant where it does occur.
Pollination
This orchid is autogamous.
Ecosystem Type
Disturbed habitats, forests, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- six
- seven or more
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- green to brown
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- 10 mm
- Sepal length:
- 6–11 mm
- Plant height:
- 3–20 cm
-
Flowers
- Flower petal color:
-
- brown
- green
- yellow
- Flower symmetry:
- the flower is zygomorphic
- Flowering date:
-
- June
- July
- August
- Flowers per inflorescence:
- 3–10
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Hairs on flower stalk:
- the pedicel is hairless
- Hairs on inflorescence axis:
- the inflorescence stem is hairless
- Inflorescence length:
- 16–52 mm
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- 10 mm
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum position:
- the flowers are non-resupinate
- Lower petal strongly red-veined:
- no
- Main color of labellum:
-
- green to brown
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Number of stamens:
- 1
- Orientation of side petals:
- the lateral petals are ascending
- Self-pollinating flowers:
- there are no cleistogamous flowers
- Sepal length:
- 6–11 mm
- Sepals fused only to sepals:
- the sepals are separate from one another
- Spots on labellum:
- no
-
Fruits or seeds
- Fruit length:
- 15–20 mm
- Fruit width:
- 5–10 mm
- Seed capsule orientation:
- the capsule points upwards or outwards
-
Growth form
- Plant height:
- 3–20 cm
- Roots:
- the rhizomes are non-coralloid
- Underground organs:
- the plant has one or more swollen storage organs underground, such as bulbs, tubers or corms
- myco-heterotrophic or not:
- the plant is chlorophyllous
-
Leaves
- Bract relative length:
- bracts may be variable, both longer and shorter than the flower
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Leaf blade edges:
- the leaf edges are entire
- Leaf blade length:
- 10–18 mm
- Leaf blade length to width ratio:
- 2–1.8
- Leaf blade shape:
- ovate
- Leaf blade tip:
- the tip of the leaf blade is acute
- Leaf blade width:
- 5–10 mm
- Leaves during flowering:
- leaves are present during flowering
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- six
- seven or more
-
Place
- Ecosystem type:
-
- disturbed habitats
- forests
- woodlands
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Location:
- Florida
-
Facts and Uses
- Mycorrhiza
- Monitoring
- Propagation
- Restoration
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
Conservation and Wetland Status | |
---|---|
Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
US Status | N/A |
Canadian Status | N/A |
Conservation status for: Florida | |
---|---|
Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
US Status | N/A |
Florida Rank | N/A |
Florida Status | N/A |
Canadian Status | N/A |
Wetland Status | N/A |