Discovered in July 2007, the Corkscrew "Super" ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) has been in the spotlight each summer since as it continues to produce many flowers year after year.  This orchid has drawn attention from around the world as it is the largest ghost orchid discovered so far, thus the name, "Super" ghost orchid. Our ghost orchid has delighted us every year since its discovery with multiple blooms throughout the summer and even a few in other times of the year (see the timeline of bloom events below).  In 2014, it produced over 40 flowers throughout the year!  

While ghost orchids typically bloom in June and July, during 2015 our "Super" ghost orchid's earliest blooms were spotted on Jan. 25, 2015, setting a new early-blooming record (the earliest in the year it had bloomed previously was late March of 2010).  In 2017, it was blooming again in November and early December, the latest in the year we have seen it bloom so far!  The last flower for 2017 dropped off on Dec. 8.  It has now bloomed every month of the year!  Barring any interference, once a ghost orchid bud opens into a flower, it usually stays in bloom for about 1.5 to 2 weeks, yellowing toward the end of the bloom, and eventually shriveling. 

The "Super" ghost orchid's first bloom in 2022 was observed on June 29. The last blossom in the 2022 season was recorded on Sept. 27, the day before Hurricane Ian arrived. 

If you plan to visit Corkscrew to see the "Super" ghost orchid, consider bringing binoculars or a scope, since it is about 50 feet high in an old-growth bald cypress tree and about 100 feet away from the boardwalk. Binoculars are also available for rent in the Blair Visitor Center.

To get there on the boardwalk, you will have to walk just under one mile past the shortcut trail on the main boardwalk loop (toward the observation tower). The "Super" ghost orchid is located on the left, just past the John Muir Landmark Tree (No. 2). There is a sign on the rail to help you locate the orchid. Please see this orchid's activity history below.

Read our 2023 press release. 

Read about RJ Wiley, the Sanctuary's official photographer of the "Super" ghost orchid, in this Aug. 29, 2021 article published in Naples Daily News entitled Mastering the Capture of the "Super" Ghost Orchid. 

Click here to read about the scientific discovery involving the pollination of the "Super" ghost orchid. This publication was one of the most downloaded scientific papers in 2019. Learn about "Ecology's Top 100" here.

Here's a link to July 2, 2019 WINK News report on the "Super" Ghost Orchid by reporter Stephanie Byrne.

2023 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2022 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2021 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2020 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2019 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2018 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2017 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2016 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2015 Super Ghost Orchid Activity

2014 Super Ghost Orchid Activity 

Downloadable Resources

2023_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf 2022_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf 2021_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf 2020_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf 2019_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf 2018_super_ghost_activity.pdf 2017_super_ghost_activity.pdf 2016_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf 2015_super_ghost_orchid_activity.pdf