Florida Butterfly Orchid — (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Carnahan
Photo by (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue CarnahaniNaturalistCC BY
Pet safety reference

Florida Butterfly Orchid

Epidendrum tampense

Also known as Encyclia tampensis

The Florida Butterfly Orchid is a native epiphytic orchid known for its delicate, fragrant flowers and resilient nature. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of any fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Butterfly OrchidEncyclia tampensisEpidendrum tampenseFlorida Butterfly Orchid
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Epiphytic
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected; however, large ingestions of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your cat consumes a significant amount of the plant and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected; however, large ingestions of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your dog consumes a significant amount of the plant and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Florida Butterfly Orchidis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

The Florida Butterfly Orchid is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific name and distribution data for Epidendrum tampense.

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