Introduction

Deep within southwestern Florida's "Fakahatchee Strand" lives a rare flowering plant. Many botanists trudge through acres of swampland forest inhabited by alligators, black bears, panthers, wild pigs, snapping turtles and snakes just to get a glimpse of the plant's stunning blossom. This spectacular plant exists only in Florida's Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and is called a Polyrrhiza lindenii or Ghost orchid.

The ghost orchid's appearance is quite unusual in that it resembles a flying white frog. That's right, a flying white frog. The stunning, stark-white blooms appear to float in the middle of the Fakahatchee Forest. When the wind blows, the frog-like orchids seem to come alive and dance alongside the trees.

All attempts to cultivate the ghost orchid have been unsuccessful. Since the ghost orchid is such a rare and endangered species, it is protected by Florida state and federal protection laws, which prohibit tampering with or removal of these stunning orchids. Unfortunately, some collectors find the temptation irresistible, and their selfish actions ultimately may have a detrimental effect on the species. These careless collectors are also stealing from visitors who are searching for a peek at the rare ghost orchid in bloom.