Georgia Conservancy, DNR Announce Species of the Week in Photo Contest
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Georgia Residents Encouraged to Submit Photos of the Greenfly Orchid 7/13/09 WHAT: The Georgia Conservancy and the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources announce the Greenfly orchid as the species of
the week as part of a new statewide photo contest to encourage
citizens to learn more about high-priority species and habitats
listed in the State Wildlife Action Plan. The plan, commonly
called SWAP, is a comprehensive strategy that guides DNR efforts
to conserve biological diversity. SPECIES OF THE WEEK: The Greenfly orchid, or Epidendrum
conopseum, is the only orchid found on trees in Georgia. A small
perennial herb that grows on trees or rocks from May through the
end of July, its leafy stems attach to the orchid's substrate by
a mass of roots. Marked by glossy evergreen leaves, the orchid
can be found on shaded limbs of southern magnolia and live oaks,
as well as other hardwoods in swamps and on bluffs. It is
frequently hidden among the fronds of resurrection fern. The
fruiting period runs from September to January, when its small,
drooping capsules harden and then burst open, dispersing
thousands of tiny seeds. STATUS: The Greenfly orchid is state-listed as unusual in
Georgia, where it has been recorded in 20 counties in the
state's southeastern Coastal Plain. It is not federally listed,
but is considered a high-priority species in Georgia's State
Wildlife Action Plan. Timber harvest is the major threat to this
species, which grows only in intact old-growth oak forests. The
species' frost-tolerant characteristic also make it a target in
the wild of irresponsible collectors. HABITAT: This species lives in maritime evergreen oak forests
and in Georgia's outer Coastal Plain. It is found across the
Southeast's Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Louisiana;
Eastern Mexico has a separate population. SWAP PHOTO CONTEST: The Great Georgia Photo SWAP contest, a
new project sponsored by the Georgia Conservancy and the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), highlights nearly 30
high-priority species in all eco-regions of the state as listed
in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Unaltered and original photos submitted by citizens to
swap@gaconservancy.org will be posted on the Georgia
Conservancy's Web site, and participants will be awarded prizes
each month as well as a digital camera grand prize for the
person who submits the most photos over the course of the
one-year project. The Species of the Week
schedule includes animals such as the painted bunting,
gopher tortoise and bottle-nosed dolphin. Online: **
State Wildlife Action Plan |
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