The Greenfly Orchid Epidendrum magnoliae Muhl., Orchidaceae in Alabama.

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SECTION I. Biological Sciences 26 Alvin Diamond
The Greenfly Orchid (Epidendrum magnoliae Muhl.,
Orchidaceae) in Alabama.
Alvin Diamond Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, Troy University, Troy, AL
36082
Abstract Epidendrum magnoliae is the most
northerly distributed epiphytic orchid in the
Western Hemisphere, occurring from North Carolina
south and west to Louisiana and in north eastern
Mexico (Hágsater 2002) . It is the only epiphytic
orchid native to Alabama. The herbaria of Auburn
University (AUA), the University of Alabama
(UNA), the University of South Alabama (USAM),
the University of West Alabama, Jacksonville
State University (JSU), the Anniston Museum of
Natural History, and Troy University (TROY) were
searched for collection records of this species.
This historical data along with field
observations were used to determine the
distribution of the species within Alabama, the
species preferred habitat, host tree
specificity, and dates of flowering and fruiting.
LITERATURE
CITED ALABAMA NATURAL HERITAGE INVENTORY. 2006.
Alabama Inventory List. The Rare, Threatened and
Endangered Plants, Animals and Natural
Communities of Alabama. 55 p. http//www.alnhp.or
g/track_2007.pdf. HÁGSATER, E. 2002.
Epidendrum.  In Flora of North America Editorial
Committee, eds.  Flora of North America North of
Mexico.  12  vols.  New York and Oxford.  Vol.
26, pp. 609-613. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author
would like to thank the curators of the following
herbaria for access to their collections and
loans of specimens Auburn University (AUA), the
University of Alabama (UNA), the University of
South Alabama (USA), the University of West
Alabama, Jacksonville State University (JSU), the
Anniston Museum of Natural History, and Troy
University (TROY).
Figure 5. Flowering colony of Epidendrum
magnoliae.
Figure 3. Typical colony of Epidendrum magnoliae
on Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora L.).
Figure 1. Distribution of Epidendrum magnoliae
Muhl. in Alabama based upon herbarium records
(black) and field observations (red).
Discussion Epidendrum magnoliae is classified
G4 range wide (apparently secure) and S2
(imperiled because of rarity) within Alabama by
the Alabama Natural Heritage Program (2006). Site
records by the author along with herbarium
records from Auburn University (20), Troy
University (4) the University of Alabama (2),
the University of South Alabama ( 1 ), and
Jacksonville State University (1) document the
occurrence of Epidendrum magnoliae in twelve
south Alabama counties (Fig. 1). Based upon
specimen label data and field observations, the
species is most common along small to medium
sized streams with intact riparian vegetation and
a closed canopy (Fig. 2). The species
demonstrates a high preference for Southern
Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora L.) (Figs. 3, 4)
as a substrate with 76 of collections reported
as occurring on this species and a slight
preference for American beech with 12 of
collections. Other species supporting the
Greenfly orchid include Virginia Live Oak
(Quercus virginiana P. Mill.) White Oak (Quercus
alba L.) Swamp Tupelo (Nyssa biflora Walt.)
Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata Walt.) Bald Cypress
(Taxodium distichum (L.) L.C. Rich.) and Red
Cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), each with one
reported collection. Flowering occurs primarily
in early to mid-July, but scattered individuals
may flower at any time of the year (Figs. 5, 6).
Mature fruit are present by mid to late August.
Figure 6. Close-up of flower of Epidendrum
magnoliae.
Figure 4. Typical colony of Epidendrum magnoliae
on Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora L.).
Figure 2. Typical streamside habitat for
Epidendrum magnoliae.