Love the time-lapse photography idea, Greene! Too bad I don't have a security camera I could aim at a colony and program to take a few pics every morning!
Triphora gentianoides is listed as native to Collier County. It's probably not even rare here, just so boring no one pays it any attention! They are certainly well camouflaged, blend into the background, and are easily overlooked. The mulch is from oak and pine trees we had taken out. The company hauled off all the lumber parts, then ground up the branches into a huge pile of mulch for me.
As for the synchronized blooming, I know a lot of plants release chemicals into the soil so I suppose it could be along those lines. I didn't find any suggestion as to what might bring about the timing, only that the triggers are unknown. It certainly is a curious situation!
