Florida’s Orchid Legacy: Exploring Diversity and Enhancing Conservation
We’re passionate about protecting Florida’s unique orchids and are excited to share our ongoing work and future plans with you. Our research focuses on two key projects that aim to uncover the secrets of Florida’s orchids and enhance their conservation.
Key Aspects of the Project:
Exploring Sacoila lanceolata: Discovering Hidden Diversity
Our work with Sacoila lanceolata, a stunning orchid with a wide range, has already involved collaborating with students across the Southern Florida to collect samples and conducting pollination studies with Friends of Little Salt Springs Preserve. Preliminary results suggest that there may be two distinct species of Sacoila lanceolata, rather than one. We’re using advanced genetic techniques to further explore this potential discovery, which will help us better understand and protect these orchids.
Studying the Endangered Florida Star Orchid
The Florida star orchid (Epidendrum floridense) is another focus of our conservation efforts. We’ve successfully located populations in the Audubon Society Reserve in Naples and other reserves of Southern Florida, and have been closely monitoring their phenology. Additionally, we’re growing seeds in vitro to support large-scale propagation. Our goal is to boost the population and genetic diversity of this endangered orchid and ensure its survival.
Looking to the Future: Expanding Our Conservation Efforts
We’re excited about expanding our research to include other imperiled orchids in Florida. Our future plans involve using camera traps to study pollinators, applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map orchid populations, and continuing to track genetic diversity. By broadening our research and conservation strategies, we aim to make a significant impact on the protection of Florida’s orchids and beyond.
Join us in our mission to preserve Florida’s extraordinary orchid species and support our ongoing efforts to safeguard these precious plants for future generations.