Research and Conservation in Southern Sonora, Mexico

Terrestrial Orchids

Only species of which we have images are listed here. For a full list of Sonoran orchids see Gentry's Río Mayo Plants.

Bletia campanulata (quiqui)

Bletia campanulata from near Chinipas, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

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This is probably the correct name for this plant, which has been identified as Bletia reflexa and B. amabilis in other publications. Rare in Sonora; it can be found blooming in summer in oak woodland on humus-covered slopes. Its range extends into South America.

Bletia roezlii (quiqui)

A rather xerophytic orchid of oak woodland and pine-oak forest. The red and yellow flowers are less than two inches tall and bloom in summer. Widespread in the region, and extending into Central America.

Bletia roezlii flower. Photo: C.D. Bertelsen

Bletia roezlii flower. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Habenaria clypeata

Habenaria clypeata north of Yécora, Sonora. Photo: R.L. Bellsey

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Widespread from ridges to canyon bottoms in oak woodland and pine-oak forest. Blooms in summer. Ranges from Sonora, Chihuahua, and Baja California Sur to Central America.

Habenaria quinqueseta

Habenaria quinqueseta near El Guayabo east of Alamos, Sonora. Photo: C.D. Bertelsen

Stream margins and moist slopes in tropical deciduous forest and oak woodland. Blooms in late summer in Sonora. Ranges from SE United States to the Caribbean islands, Baja California Sur, and northern South America.

Hexalectris grandiflora

Hexalectris grandiflora northeast of Alamos, Sonora. Photo: George M. Ferguson

Rocky slopes and canyon bottoms in oak woodland and pine-oak forest. Foliage is reddish-brown. Foot-tall stems bear small colorful flowers in spring and summer.

Stenorrhynchus aurantiacus (orquídea)

Loose rosettes of large deciduous leaves give rise to flower spikes up to two feet tall in summer. Rock outcrops, slopes, and streamsides in pine-oak forest. Sonora to Oaxaca.


Stenorrhynchus aurantiacus near Yécora, Sonora. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

Stenorrhynchus lanceolatum (orquídea)

Loose rosettes of large deciduous leaves give rise to flower spikes up to three feet tall in summer. Mesas and valleys in tropical deciduous forest and oak woodland. From Sonora, Chihuahua, and Florida to the Caribbean islands and South America.

	Left and above: Stenorrhynchus lanceolatus in oak woodland at Rancho Santa Bárbara near Alamos, Sonora. Photos: Martín G. Figueroa
Stenorrhynchus lanceolatum near Alamos, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt