Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendle

  • Family

    Orchidaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendle

  • Primary Citation

    Fl. Jamaica (Fawcett & Rendle) 1: 112-113. 1910

  • Common Names

    wild coco, Eulophia alta

  • Description

    Author: Catherine V. Bainbridge

    Description: Terrestrial herbs up to 1.5 m, developing underground corms (in our geographical area). Leaves several, sub-petiolate, the blades plicate, narrowly-elliptic, to ca. 100 x 10 cm. Inflorescence basal, erect, to ca. 150 cm, of many (30+) resupinate, greenish-brown to reddish bronze flowers, opening simultaneously, dorsal sepal oblong to oblanceolate, 2-2.3 cm long, the apex acute; lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, but extended and pointing upwards (like rabbit ears); lateral petals similar to sepals, oblong, ca. 1.5 cm long, hooded over the column, the apex acute; lip oblong, dirty rose-pink, the base saccate, the apex tri-lobed, midlobe with several, papillose lamellae, the lateral lobes enveloping column; column arcuate, with conspicuous foot; pollinia 2, the stipe present.

    Common names: The Erect Eulophia.

    Distribution: Southeastern United States (Florida), Mexico to Argentina, also in the West Indies and Tropical Africa from sea level to 650 m.

    Ecology: In moist to wet forest, road-cuts, pastures, and weedy or marshy areas.

    Phenology: This species has been observed with flowers in Oct, and Nov.

    Pollination: According to Lock & Profita (1975; in Dressler, 1981) pollination by Carpenter bees has been observed in Eulophia.

    Dispersal: Wind dispersed.

    Taxonomic notes: Not recorded.

    Conservation: CITES Appendix II - Trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival - Global. (UNEP WCMC 2003. Checkl. CITES Sp. 1–339).

    Uses: Not recorded.

    Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the characteristic erectness and height.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendle: [Article] Ackerman, James D. 1995. An orchid flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 73: 1-203.

    Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendle: [Article] Schweinfurth, Charles. 1967. Orchidaceae of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 69-214.

  • Narratives

    Palmita de San Juan