Zeuxine strateumatica (L.) Schltr.

Zeuxine strateumatica
The orchid shown at the upper left on our cover is com-
mon in southeastern Asia, but until its first appearance in
Florida in 1936, was unknown in the New World. It is be-
lieved that its seeds migrated to Florida with centipede
grass imported from China.
Plants tolerate shade or full sun, and grow abundantly
on road shoulders, in roadside ditches, in swamps and
H forests, and on front lawns. They also appear in the cracks
o of sidewalks, and frequently pop up unexpectedly as unin-
$ vited guests in the pots of other orchids.
The plants are difficult to detect until late December and
2® January when their short flowering season occurs. Most of
them are between three and eight inches tall. Several nar-
Q rH row green to purplish leaves are produced along a some-
S g what succulent stem. At the top a spike, with as few as ten
fn p or as many as thirty flowers, develops. The sepals and petals
§	are white, and the lip is a rich golden-yellow which fades
^ g to a pale yellow after a few days.
jg! Jj	One would assume that a plant, apparently so hardy,
& would be easily transplanted, but the opposite is true.
ciJ These plants are esssentially annuals, an exception among
o	orchids. They reach maturity from seed in one season and
disintegrate after flowering and bearing fruit.
........... HERBARIUM ?	...................
No. 7^2	Family Orchidaceae
Scientific Name Zeuxine s'trat-euxna'tl.ca
Common Name
Locality On grounds of Little Club, Gulf stream, F«. u
Habitat Sandy soil by roadside. Recently invad-
ing Florida. Traced to algal fertilizer
Collector L.M.A.	Date Feb. 1, 1970
L. M. ANDREWS
04170629