Encyclia tampensis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Epidendrum tampense
- Phonetic Spelling
- en-SIK-lee-uh tam-PEN-sis
- Description
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Getting its common name from the butterfly-like movement of its flowers in the wind, Butterfly Orchid is an evergreen plant in the orchid family, and it is native to Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas. It is an epiphytic orchid, meaning that it grows on another plant, similar to an air plant. It can be found on various trees and generally along waterways, swamps and forests. The small pseudobulbs (pod-like structures) are dark green with one or two narrow grass-like leaves that can be up to 12 inches long. There can be up to 45 fragrant flowers that emerge from the leaf axils in shades of yellow, copper, green or bronze with the lower lip being white with purple markings.
These plants do best when grown on a tree or fixed to a wood or cork plank. In its natural environment, it can be found growing on southern live oak, bald cypress, red maple, pop ash, pine and palm trees, with southern live oak being the most likely to host. As its numbers are not abundant in the wild, it is listed as a regulated plant in Florida, protected by law from being harvested commercially. They need high humidity and flower best in part shade. When actively growing, water it 2-3 times a week, provide good airflow and allow them to drain quickly. Use a weak fertilizer every 2-4 weeks. They are not hardy in zones 7 and lower.
Pollination is done by bees that are attracted to the labellum i.e. lip that serves as a landing pad as the bee collects the pollen. As the bees pollinate the flowers, typically for a few hours per day from noon into the afternoon, a sweet odor is emitted.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: If conditions are too wet or air circulation is poor they can be susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Encyclia
- Species:
- tampensis
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Tropical specimen plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Florida, Bahamas, and Cuba
- Distribution:
- Florida
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- 3-valved oval capsule filled with many tiny seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Typical orchid-shaped flowers are 1.5 inch wide with 5 tepals in shades of yellow, copper, green or bronze with the lower lip being white with purple stripes, blotches or dots. Blooms May through August. Plants can have from 3 to 45 flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are linear to lanceolate and up to 12 inches long. There are typically 1 to 3 leaves on the stem. They are evergreen and grow from the pseudobulbs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Humidity
- Salt