We just got back from traveling around three Hawaiian islands (Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu) and I am happy to report that we saw a patches of wild orchids on two islands. Neither species is endemic to Hawaii, but it was still exciting to spot them. Hawaii only has three endemic species (see
post from March 2006).
On Kauai we saw patches of tall pink orchids inland in the valley near the Hanama'ulu and Wailua streams. These are
Philippine ground orchids (Spathoglottis plicata) and were introduced. Unfortunately my pictures of these were taken on a disposable underwater camera and didn't turn out very well.
On the big island of Hawaii we saw patches of white and purple orchids which I believe are
Bamboo orchids, also introduced (Arundinea graminifolia). We saw these in a few locations around the island including the Volcanoes National Park, where the plants were growing with other grasses surprisingly close to steam vents from the volcano, and near Akaka Falls State Park.
Pictured here are the "volcano orchids" (Bamboo orchids):
