Habit: Encyclia withneri 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 5 cm in length and 3 cm in width. From the top of the pseudobulb 2 flattened linear lanceolate leaves emerge that are up to 25 cm in length and 1.5 cm wide.
The zygomorphic flowers are arranged in terminal panicles up to 60 cm in height and contains up to 30 flowers. The pedicels are rough/bumpy. The flowers have ovate-triangular bracts and the calyx has 3 reddish brown sepals. The corolla has 3 reddish brown petals with one forming the labellum. The sepals and petals develop stripes with age.
The labellum is white and 3 lobed. The central lobe is to 1.5 cm long. The 2 lateral lobes of the labellum are white with radiating purple red lines at their base and appressed/clasping to either side of the column. The midlobe of the labellum has 3 prominent ridges. The lower third of the labellum is fused to the column
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 a ridged callus plate with 3 lobes at the front edge with the yellow anthers.
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 withneri grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Forests (coppice).
Distribution: Encyclia withneri 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 withneri 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.