That would be John Edward Laroche, the main character in Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief, set in and around the Fakahatchee Preserve. Laroche was/is a highly idiosyncratic individual both on the printed page and in the subsequent film adaptation, Adaptation. His fevered pursuit of Ghost Orchids in the Fakahatchee along with his plan to clone thousands of them for fame and fortune is a rousing tale of adventure and intrigue set in southern Florida. Laroche was played by Chris Cooper in the highly-altered Spike Jonze/Charlie Kaufman film. Nic Cage was along for the ride as well, adding his own particular twist to the weirdness factor of the movie.
TSG recommends the book, but the film is, shall we say, a whole different animal.
