The Smithsonian has a new website just for orchid conservationists.  It is easy to find, easy to use, and holds a wealth of information. 

Presentation about Smithsonian’s Environmental Research Center

At the October 2014 GNTOS meeting I will be discussing the efforts of the Smithsonian’s Environmental research Center (SERC’s North American Orchid Conservation Center). I encourage you to look at their website,“GoOrchids”, a fabulous resource for orchid conservationists. A particularly exciting entry has been added recently for what may be the rarest orchid in North America, the Microthelys rubrocallosa (copyrighted photos on the “Go Orchids” website) found in Mexico and New Mexico. To get a sampling of what you will find at “GoOrchids”, here is the write-up under the section “Facts About”:

Microthelys rubrocallosa, the Green Medusa Orchid, was believed to be restricted to Mexico until a small population was discovered in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico in 2004. This small orchid has blue-green basal leaves and a slender leafless spike bearing up to 30 green, white-tipped tubular flowers. The sepal and petals form a hood around the column and the two bright orange calluses distinguish this orchid from others found in the Sacramento Mountains. This orchid has been observed in a mesic, mixed conifer forest that is subject to occasional fires.

The global conservation status for Microthelys rubrocallosa has not been determined because its abundance in Mexico is not well documented. The single population in New Mexico is considered imperiled due to the small number of plants. Additional information is needed to evaluate the impacts of fire and logging on this orchid.

Please make a point of visiting this site soon. The above two paragraphs are only a small part of the information available. There is lots more to learn and many gorgeous pictures to view. Visit the site from this link, or simply type “go orchids” (without the quotes) into your search engine. When you are at the “go orchids” site, type in Microthelys rubrocallosa under the search box for species.   It is easy to learn about this and any other particular North American orchid with this website.

But what if you find an orchid and do not know its name?   Here is where the website can be particularly helpful.   SERC just released a new YouTube video on how to identify your orchid while hiking the nature trails on your next vacation: http://youtu.be/actz0PERcvI. The video is only 4 minutes long. It introduces the work of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and gets right into how to use the “Go Orchids” website to select the orchid features that narrow down the search process.   You will enjoy the visit, and will be surprised what a handy tool this is. You can access it right in your smart phone, or later back home with photos in hand.

You all deserve to be proud of the fact that you are helping make this website grow. The South West Regional Orchid Growers Association of which we all are members has identified SERC as a resource to fund with our conservation dollars. At the Galveston Bay Orchid Society SWROGA voted to allocate $1000 this year for SERC efforts. In addition, we raised $500 with the Conservation Raffle, made successful by the great crowd at the Galveston Bay Orchid Society SWROGA show. Show chairperson Joyce McMillan is shown here drawing the winning ticket for an original orchid watercolor from OrchidArtByCharlesHess.com.