FLOWER OF THE WEEK AT SOPCHOPPY DEPOT PARK

Soldier orchid

By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY

Soldier orchid (Zeuxine strateumatica) is a small orchid native to Asia that popped up in the northeast garden at Sopchoppy Depot Park. This terrestrial orchid arrived from China in 1927 in a shipment of centipede grass seed and is now naturalized throughout the southeast. For about 2 weeks in late winter, 6-8-inch-tall stalks emerge bearing white-and-yellow, self-pollinating flowers that small flies will visit. This orchid prefers moist, rich soil in full or part sun, needs a special bacterium around its roots, and is hard to transplant. Also called lawn orchid, this perennial acts more like an annual. We landscaped Depot Park with plants native to our area — and we battle invasive nonnatives like camphor trees. However, this nonnative appears randomly and does not seem to disrupt natural habitats.