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| Jingle bell Orchid Photo by Michelle Smith |
During recent field surveys to document rare plants at Spirit of the Wild Wildlife Management Area, FNAI botanists located several thriving populations of the jingle bell orchid, (Harrisella porrecta, syn. Dendrophylax porretcus) in a strand swamp growing on branches of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). The fruits of this tiny leafless orchid are a well-named characteristic, as they do look just like little bells. According to the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants, jingle bell orchid has never been collected in Hendry County, so FNAI scientists were excited to discover these populations.
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| Photo by Michelle Smith |
