Epidendrum conopseum

Common Names

Green-Fly Orchid, Green Fly Orchid, Greenfly Orchid

Summary

Epidendrum conopseum is an epiphytic orchid native to the southeastern United States extending to northeastern Mexico, it grows on the trunks and branches of trees such as Live oak and Southern magnolia, typically on relatively horizontal limbs in swamps and moist hammocks, and it bears two to three alternate, pleated leaves with fragrant, green flowers marked with purple about half an inch long, in cultivation, it requires light shade with moist, high-humidity conditions and tolerates moderate drought, thriving in nutrient-poor substrates, often grown by enthusiasts, it is recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations, it has low saltwater tolerance and moderate salt wind tolerance, flowering occurs from August through February

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8b-9a

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun with midday shade required, tolerates partial shade

Soil Type

No soil is ideal; it is an epiphyte that grows on trees with a nutrient-poor substrate.

Soil Drainage

Soil drainage is not applicable, as it is epiphytic and grows on tree limbs rather than in soil.

Bloom Color

Green to yellow-green, with purplish tinges.

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Foliage Color

Dark green, Green

Fall Foliage Color

Dark green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

71 days to leaf-bearing seedlings after seeds were inoculated with the fungus in vitro

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Pollinated by nocturnal moths