Encyclia tampensis (Florida Butterfly Orchid)

Native to Florida and the Bahamas, this orchid grows on tree trunks and branches in forests, swamps and woodland, especially near waterways. Small green pseudobulbs bear one or two narrow leaves. Branched flower stalks carry fragrant blooms with green, yellow, copper or bronze sepals and petals surrounding a white lip marked with purple spots or stripes. Flowering usually occurs from late spring through summer. The species grows on many kinds of trees, including live oak, bald cypress, red maple and mangroves. Photographed in Colombia.