PlantFiles: Lawn Orchid, Soldier Orchid, Soldier's Orchid, Centipede Grass Orchid
Zeuxine strateumatica

I have one of these that pops up every 3 months. It just showed up one day on the edge of my lawn. It has teeny tiny seeds. If you catch it when it looks to be dying off that's when its time to collect the seeds. I love this neat little plant. It only seems to get at the tallest 6" from my experience.

This plant grows in Florida, Georgia and Texas in disturbed grassland areas. It is a true orchid, originating in Asia. It is not invasive, but rare, and acts as a groundcover. It attracts bees, butterflies and birds. If you try to transplant it, the plant will die. However, the plant does produce seeds or fruit, which may result in future lawn orchids where there was a failed transplant. The USDA does not list this plant as an invasive or noxious species. The plant is considered rare, and places where it has been found growing are being cataloged. I like the lawn orchids, and am letting them grow in with my butterfly plants or wildflowers and basil. There are many plants that grow in grassy areas that are beneficial to wildlife. A lawn without anything but grass is harmful to wildlife.