Locality: US Virgin Islands (17.727510, -64.746980)

Abstract: There are more than two dozen orchids indigenous to the US Virgin Islands, primarily distributed on the island of St. Thomas (24 species, 14 St. John, and 9 St. Croix). Although orchids are protected, their populations and distribution are not well understood. Among the most common orchid is the Sandy Point Orchid, commonly found in the National Wildlife Refuge on St. Croix.

About The St. Croix Orchid Society
The St. Croix Orchid Society, Inc. (SCOS) was formally organized in 1972 by a group of Crucian orchid enthusiasts. Its current membership is comprised of orchidists of all levels: from beginner to master grower. Its mission is to accumulate and disseminate knowledge on the growing of orchids, to stimulate interest in the hobby by publicly exhibiting orchids, and to conserve and preserve our native orchids continues to inform the society and its members.

The group meets on the last Sunday of each month at the St. George Village Botanical Garden (with the exception of August and December), and holds its annual orchid show in February on the weekend following Presidents Day. Meetings include guest and member speakers on a variety of topics important to the growing of orchids: pest and disease control, potting and repotting, propagating, watering and feeding, and always ends with a Show and Tell where all members are encouraged to share their blooming plants!

This year the SCOS will be celebrating its 49th annual orchid show in the Great Hall at the botanical garden. Since Hurricane Maria, SCOS members have taken on the care and maintenance of the orchids at The St. George Village Botanical Garden including the displays in the orchid house, revitalizing the nursery, repopulating tree mounted orchids, as well as the care and feeding of all the orchids on the campus. Most recently, SCOS members have embarked on a project to update and augment the native orchid specimens in the Herbarium at the botanical garden. The goal is to locate, gather, press, dry, and label all 13 orchids native to St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas and Water Island.

References
Ackerman, J.D. and M. del Castillo 1992. The Orchids of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico.
Acevedo-Rodriguez, P., et al. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 78. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx.
Britton, N.L., and P. Wilson. 1926. Botany of Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Scientific Survey of Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands. New York Academy of Sciences, New York. VI
Coile, N.C., and M.A. Garland. 2003. Notes on Florida's endangered and threatened plants (29 January 2005). Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Florida.
Liogier, H.A., and L.F. Martorell. 1982. Flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent Islands: A systematic synopsis. Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico.
Wunderlin, R.P., B.F. Hansen,and E.L. Bridges. 1996. Atlas of Florida vascular plants: CD-ROM. University of South Florida, Tampa. FL
Wunderlin, R.P., and B.F. Hansen. 2008. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants [online: accessed on 8 November 2014]. Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.