Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Ghost Orchid, White Butterfly Orchid, White Frog Orchid, Palm Polly

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae

Distribution: SW Florida to Cuba

Habitat: Swamp forest, brushlands

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): May to August

Foliage characteristics: Leafless

Fragrance: Fruity, apple

Pollination syndrome: Moth (Pachylia ficus; possibly other hawkmoths, as well)

Bloom characteristics: Arching inflorescence is 2.5-9" (6.4-23 cm) long with 1-10 successively opening waxy, white flowers. Flowers are almost 5" (13 cm) long, and long-lasting.

Plant size: 3-5" x 8-15" (8-13 x 20-38 cm), excluding inflorescence

Description: This difficult to grow, leafless orchid has white flowers which bob above the swampy waters of its home, like a small ghost. Or less eerily, the curling sides of its lip remind some of the back legs of a white frog. Because this orchid does not have leaves, its roots have developed to do all of the plant’s photosynthesizing. When not in bloom, D. lindenii can be extremely hard to find, as it looks like just a mass of roots disguised against a tree. Unfortunately, this endangered orchid is also difficult to find due to poaching from its home in Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba. Because of this, the precise location of ghost orchid plants is kept secret, to avoid the plants disappearing.
For a long time, D. lindenii also kept a secret of its own – its pollinator. Scientists came up with many theories based off of the orchid’s long spike, similar to that of Angraecum which it shared a common ancestor with long ago, but it was not until 2018 that scientists captured pictures of a hawkmoth pollinating D. lindenii in the deep woods of Florida. Recent research has even shown that an acrobat ant which makes nests among the orchid’s roots may be responsible for the healthiest ghost orchids. For a ghostly orchid, it’s a-buzz with life.

Comments: Dendrophylax lindenii