Very little has been written about Epidendrum ciliare, although the plant has been given numerous silly names: goat's beard, chicken feather, eyelash, and the good old standby, spider orchid.

Linnaeus established the genus Epidendrum (upon a tree) in 1737, but he did not fully describe the group until the 1750s. He added ciliare to the group in 1759. No records have been found of who collected this graceful little plant or how it came to Linnaeus.

In 1790, the first recorded specimen of E. ciliare was brought to the United Kingdom by Elcock, but there is no mention of Elcock's first name or what became of the plant. The Kew Royal Botanical Garden received a collection of 15 West Indies orchids from Admiral William Bligh in 1794. Among the collection was E. ciliare. But the first recorded flowering in England was not until 1799. (From research by R. Rigby, North of England Orchid Society. http://www.r-rigby.demon.co.uk/histo4.html )

Epidendrum ciliare can be found over much of tropical America from the mangroves of the Caribbean islands to the uplands of Mexico and Peru. The orchid is said to get to 20 inches (50 centimeters), but mine has remained a diminutive plant. Perhaps, that is one of the best things about orchids; they always surprise you and yet, remain a mystery.