Focus on Natural Connections
Known as the cigar orchid (Cyrtopodium punctatum) or cow horn orchid, this attractive orchid was the victim of over harvesting in past decades. Larry Richardson, wildlife biologist for Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, explains, "Cigar orchids were typically shipped north for people to have as extraordinary centerpieces at highbrow gatherings. Once the orchid stopped blooming, they threw the whole orchid plant away. Unfortunately, people threw more fancy parties than any wild orchid population could sustain."

Although that issue has been corrected, other challenges face the cigar orchid. In fact, if not for people like Richardson, these orchids would not be reproducing at all outside Naples. "It's the pollinators. They're gone out here," laments Richardson who for years has had to use forceps to transfer pollen from one orchid to the next to keep them going. "There are two species of ground nesting bees that pollinate these orchids. No bees, no orchids. The bees are still in Naples, but they have very specific needs relating to ground water - needs that are not being met out here because of the draining of the Everglades."

This issue is a recurring theme for Richardson. "Any plant or animal becomes endangered by the loss of one of its critical needs like food, water, and cover. So orchids are just like Florida panthers in this respect. Take away one critical element and it all cascades down." And water provides the perfect example. In addition to decimating the pollinators for cigar orchids, the lower water levels of the Everglades decreased the humidity that many orchids need to flourish. Lower water also removed the protective buffer zone from fires. And it also decreased the frost protection since water would absorb the heat from sunlight during the day and slowly release it throughout the night.


Focus on Pollinators
Besides being a target for poaching, the famous ghost orchid like other orchids relies on pollinators. Although not certain, the pollinator for the ghost orchid is believed to be the giant sphinx moth. It has a very long proboscis or tongue. With its five to six inch long proboscis, it is capable of reaching into the long nectar tube of the ghost orchid. When the moth gets nectar, it also exchanges genetic material from the other ghost orchids it has visited. Current knowledge indicates that the ghost orchid cannot be self-pollinated and must be cross-pollinated in order to produce seeds. So, potentially, as the sphinx moth goes, so goes the ghost orchid.

But orchids are just one small portion of the pollinated community. According to NORP president Lee Hoffman, "One of every three bites of food we eat and almost every thing we drink is dependent on pollinators. Our research so far has led us to believe one of the major causes of the orchid depletion is because of the loss of pollinators. Our project hopes to work on bringing back the pollinators which will help other species of plants including our food crops."


Focus on Fungus
The role of mycorrhizal fungus in Florida's native orchids is not yet fully understood but appears to be absolutely critical. For example, the vanilla orchid from the tropical Americas and many other orchids cannot establish themselves at all without the aid of its fungal partner. In addition, studies of other orchid populations indicate the fungus may also assist in drought and disease resistance, reduction of pest damage, and increasing general plant health. These same orchids can be raised in the lab without the fungus in special conditions, but in the wild they are dependent upon fungus. Jay O'Neill, a biologist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, is already researching which fungus is appropriate and necessary for the propagation of each orchid species for NORP.

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