Copyright by: George G. Gann, 4 February 2014
In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
General Landscape Uses:
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also accent epiphtye.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description: Epiphytic wildflower.
Dimensions: 6-12 inches in height. Usually taller than broad.
Growth Rate: Slow.
Range:
Sporadic from Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland north to Indian River, Hendry and Collier counties. Very rare in Broward County; known only from Fern Forest Nature Center and Pond Apple Slough.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of Postal Code Areas of IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Habitats: Moist forests and swamps.
Soils: Epiphytic; grows on the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs.
Nutritional Requirements: Low; it grows on nutrient poor substrate.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance: Low; requires moist substrate and high humidity and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements: Light shade.
Flower Color: Purplish
Flower Characteristics: Semi-showy inflorescence.
Flowering Season: Spring-fall.
Fruit: Green to brown capsule with hairy, wind dispersed seeds.
Horticultural Notes: Can be grown from seed and division.
