Habit: Encyclia androsiana grow as an epiphyte. It produces a very short rhizomatous stem that is covered with secondary stems that are expanded to form ovate pseudobulbs up to 3 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width. From the top of the pseudobulb 1 flattened linear lanceolate leaf emerges that is up to 20 cm in length and 1.5 cm wide.
The zygomorphic flowers are arranged in terminal panicles up to 25 cm in height and contains up to 15 flowers (usually much fewer). The flowers have triangular bracts and the calyx has 3 greenish yellow sepals that turn brownish with age. The corolla has 3 green to yellow petals with one forming the labellum. The sepals and petals develop spots with age.
The labellum is white and 3 lobed. The central lobe is to 1.5 cm long, developing 2 major reddish-purple spots with red/purple lines at its base. The 2 lateral lobes of the labellum are white with radiating purple red lines at their base, erect to either side of the column, not clasping and open with the top of the column exposed.
The column is formed from a fusion of the stamens and ovary into a single elongate structure. Along the bottom of the column between the lateral labellum lobes is an elongate callus plate with 2 lobes at the front edge with the yellow anthers. The top of the column develops purple lines and spots.
The ovary is inferior. The fruit is a capsule at maturity up to 3 cm in length that opens along six suture lines and hangs pendulant, allowing wind to assist in seed dispersal.
Habitat: Encyclia androsiana grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Forests (coppice).
Distribution: Encyclia androsiana is endemic to the Lucayan Archipelago known only to occur on south Andros Island.
Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: While there are no medicinal uses of Encyclia androsiana like all orchids they are prized for their beautiful flowers.
ALL orchids are protected internationally by the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) and should not be collected from the wild.