Zeuxine strateumatica (L.) Schltr.

Soldier Orchid; Lawn Orchid

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Lawn Orchid is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to Asia. In Alabama it can be found in coastal areas and as a weed in greenhouse and nursery stock. Lawn Orchid occurs in greenhouses, in lawns, in flower beds, on roadsides, in ditches, and occasionally in hammocks and pine woodlands. It is a perennial from a fleshy creeping rhizome. Stems are erect, 2-12 inches in height, usually unbranched, greenish or purple-brown in color, and glabrous. Leaves are alternate, sessile with bases sheathing the stem, erect, linear to lanceolate in outline, thick and fleshy or leathery in texture, often with revolute margins, and glabrous. Flowers are produced in a dense terminal spike or raceme during the winter months. The flowers are tubular to campanulate in shape and white in color with a yellow lip. The fruit is a capsule with many dust-like seed. It is believed that this species arrived in Florida in a shipment of centipede grass (Eremochioa ophiuroides) from China in 1927. Lawn Orchid is occasionally cultivated by orchid enthusiasts. It prefers a well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FAC (NWPL)

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