Report of Wild Orchid Surveyed by HOS Group

In August, Cheryl Lenert, a member of several Houston-area garden clubs, reported to HOS member Sarah Bentley that she suspected a wild orchid was growing on her property in Montgomery County. Sarah gathered a small group to investigate. On a Saturday morning, Sarah, Daria Souvorova, Leonardo Ramos, and Donna Diggons met at the property, along with Joe Liggio, author of the book Wild Orchids of Texas (1999), to determine whether Cheryl’s suspicion would prove true.

Thanks to Joe’s expertise, the orchid was identified as the Chinese crown orchid (Eulophia graminea). The orchid, growing in several spots on the property, is a terrestrial orchid native to tropical and subtropical Asia. It is an invasive species in Florida but so far has not been deemed invasive in our state.

Daria dug several bulbs of the ground-growing plant and has had success with additional blooms.