Family: Orchid (Orchidaceae)

Description: Herbaceous perennial with glossy, elliptical leaves from 3-6 inches long and 3/4-1 1/4 inches wide. The leaves are in a basal rosette when not in flower but later sheathe the flowering stem. Green, scented, 3/8 inch flowers are on the upper half of the 10-24 inch erect stems. There is a toothlike projection at the base of each petal, including the lip.

Blooms: All year

Found: Hardwood forests and swamps of Florida, the Greater Antilles, and Mexico to Central America.

Comment: This is Florida's most common terrestrial orchid,often forming large colonies in shady forests, and growing semi-epiphytically on floating logs in swamps. The Flowers are exceptionally fragrant, especially after dark.