The bronzed yellow flowers of Green-fly Orchid (Epidendrum conopseum), the Florida Panhandle’s only epiphytic orchid, can be glimpsed dancing above evergreen leaves among the resurrection ferns on southern magnolia, oak, and bald-cypress trees. Its other comon name, Magnolia Orchid, alludes to its affinity for magnolias. As described by its genus Epidendrum (epi on and dendron tree), it is secured to tree branches and trunks by a mat of roots. Both the common name and species name conopseum which means gnat-like allude to the flower’s insect-like appearance.
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