Eulophia graminea

Common Name: Eulophia ground orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

Common Synonyms: Graphorkis graminea

USDA Hardiness Zone: NA

Growth Habit: Perennial herb

Origin: Tropical and subtropical Asia

FISC Category: 2

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: 2007

IFAS Assessment:

• North: CAUTION
• Central: CAUTION
• South: CAUTION

Description

Chinese crown orchid is a small terrestrial, sometimes epiphytic orchid. The plant is diminutive with small golden brown flowers with a distinct white and pink lip. It arises from large psuedobulbs.

Habitat

Mulch, disturbed areas, open grasslands, beaches

Comments

This species naturalizes, but may not displace native species. In SW FL, frequently grows against pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens).

Control Methods

• Manual: Manual: Hand pull (Brown et al.)
• Chemical: NA
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

No specific recommendations available. However, glyphosate could be used in first attempt to treat. Large pseudobulbs may require multiple treatments.

References

Brown. S.H., T. Becker, P. Cruz. 2012. Eulophia graminea, a potentially invasive ground orchid. IFAS Fact Sheet. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Mitchell, R. 2013. An exotic orchid, Eulophia graminea, invades Charlotte County. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 126: 271-272.

Pemberton, B., S. Koptur, and T. Collins. 2014. Alien terrestrial orchid, Eulophia graminea, invades Miami. http://www2.fiu.edu/~kopturs/pubs/Eulophiananoj_14-3_2008.pdf. Accessed on June 27, 2014.

Tasker, G. 2012. Biologists find orchids on the move. Fairchild Tropical Garden. http://www.fairchildgarden.org/livingcollections/GeorgiaBlog/id/559/read/Biologists-find-orchids-on-the-move/. Accessed on June 27, 2014.