Epidendrum montserratense (Montserrat orchid)

Epidendrum montserratense occurs only on the volcanic island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, which has a humid tropical climate. Montserrat is one of the UK's Overseas Territories.

Perched on the trunk or branches of a host tree, the leathery leaves of Epidendrum montserratense can be hard to spot before the plant comes into flower. Then, the masses of small vivid yellow flowers, each with a distinctive three-lobed lip, make it easy to find. It can also be easily distinguished from other orchids on the island by its branched inflorescences (flower-bearing parts). This species has elongated swollen stems, called pseudobulbs, which store water, so that it can survive through the dry season.

Rescued specimens of Epidendrum montserratense being anchored onto a supporting tree in the Montserrat Botanic Garden (Image: Martin Hamilton)

One area of western Montserrat where Epidendrum montserratense is commonly found still suffers from ash clouds, venting from the island's active volcano. Not only does the hot ash damage the host trees, but it also blocks rivers, causing flash floods, which destroy river valley vegetation. Another area of suitable habitat, in the Silver Hills in northern Montserrat, has largely escaped volcanic damage but has become even more important for agriculture and building land for the island's remaining human population.

Two collections of seeds from Epidendrum montserratense are now safely stored in Kew's Millennium Seed Bank. Living plants, rescued from dead mango trees, have been taken to the Montserrat National Trust's newly developed botanic garden where they are being cultivated for future display.

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership aims to save plant life world wide, focusing on plants under threat and those of most use in the future. Seeds are dried, packaged and stored at a sub-zero temperature in our seed bank vault.

Description of seeds: Tiny dust-like seeds.
Number of seed collections stored in the Millennium Seed Bank: 2, (65,000 seeds in total).

Kew's Conservation Biotechnology Unit has successfully germinated the dust-like seeds of Epidendrum montserratense on a nutrient-rich gel under laboratory conditions. They are now being grown on, until they are large enough to withstand transplanting to orchid compost in a nursery glasshouse.

Work in Montserrat

Strengthening capacity for Species Action Planning in Montserrat

Developing Ex Situ Conservation Collections of UKOTs Species In-Territory and at Kew

Project: Enabling the people of Montserrat to conserve the Centre Hills

UK Overseas Territories Programme

Partner organisations for these projects include: 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Montserrat Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment

Montserrat National Trust
 

Also at Kew:

Results for Epidendrum montserratense on ePic 

Millennium Seed Bank Partnership - Our work in Montserrat

Conservation biotechnology