Epidendrum radicans

Epidendrum radicans is a species of orchid native to Central America and northern South America. Common names include ground-rooting epidendrum, fire-star orchid, crucifix orchid, rainbow orchid, and reed-stem epidendrum.

The diagnostic characteristic of E. radicans is its tendency to sprout roots all along the length of the stem; other crucifix orchids only produce roots near the base. It is a frequent roadside weed at middle elevations in Central America. Its common name 'crucifix orchid' refers to the tiny cross-shaped labellum in the centre of the flower.

Description

It is a herbaceous plant with a terrestrial habit (it grows on the ground, not on trees), generally on rocks, being very variable, with long and fleshy aerial roots that come out of the stems. It reaches a size of up to 1.5 m long. It has a cylindrical, reed-like, straight stem, 19 to 125 cm long and 3.5 to 8 mm in diameter, the main ones lying on the surface, somewhat branched, the branches more or less erect, climbing or also lying down. The leaves are alternate, the blades ovate-elliptic, shortly mucronate at the apex (tip of leaf), 2 to 9 cm long and 1.2 to 2.5 cm long, thick, with a leathery consistency, with the base embracing the stem, sometimes somewhat purple.