Orchid rediscovered after more than 100 years

The "moss-loving orchid", Cranicus mucosa, was recently rediscovered in Fakahatchee Strand after having not been seen for over 100 years. According to an article in the Naples Daily News (requires free registration), park biologist Michael Owen returned to the site in February 2005 where the orchid was spotted a year earlier "and found more than 150 moss-loving orchids growing over a 5-acre area."

Currently, renowned photographer Rick Cruz is exhibiting photos of Cranicus muscosa as well as the ghost orchid (Polyradicion lindenii) in Miami Beach. The exhibit is entitled "Lost for 100 years". If you can't make it to Miami Beach this month, you can view Rick's Fakahatchee Strand Endangered Plants photos on his website.