TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Rare ghost orchid blooms again near Naples

Miami Herald file photo (2007)

The ghost orchid only grows in a small area of southwest Florida.

ADVERTISEMENT

By PENNY CARNATHAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2009

NAPLES - Corkscrew Swamp is happy to be haunted for an unusual three years in a row: Its rare ghost orchid is in bloom again, and again drawing visitors from around the country to the sanctuary northeast of Naples.

"It definitely brings a lot more people. Summer here is usually very slow," said Kathryn Haley, who works the admissions desk.

The first bloom was spotted this year on July 7. Since then, four more buds have opened, and there are four more yet to open, Haley said. Individual blooms open one or two at a time and last about two weeks, so orchid-watching opportunities should extend well into August. In the past, the orchid has re-bloomed up to three times in a year. (Visitors can call (239) 348-9151 to check bloom status before traveling.)

The ghost orchid is an endangered species that grows only in a small area of southwest Florida. It has been the object of poachers — a problem made famous in Susan Orlean's best-seller, "The Orchid Thief."

Corkscrew's orchid, discovered in 2007 by volunteers trying to spot an owl, is about 50 feet up a bald cypress tree and about 150 feet from the sanctuary's boardwalk. A spotting scope is set up for better viewing, Haley said, and visitors can use the scope to take pictures with their own cameras.

This year's bloom was a surprise because many ghost orchids rest for years between blooms.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is northeast of Naples, 15 miles from Interstate 75 on Immokalee Road.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. until Sept. 30 with the last guests admitted by 6:30 p.m. each day. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for full-time college students with photo ID; $5 for National Audubon Society members with ID card; $4 for ages 6-18; and free for children younger than 6.
Call (239) 348-9151 for daily updates on the flower's status.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT