Orchis Family. — Orchidaceæ
| Gay Orchis. | Orchis spectabilis. |
| Showy Orchis. | |
| Spring Orchis. |
Found in May, in deep wet woods.
The large, single, flower-stalk reaches about 6 inches in height, and springs from between a pair of root-leaves; it is smooth and elastic. Pale green in color.
The root-leaves are long (sometimes about 6 inches), broadly oval, blunt at the tip, tapering into a grooved foot; the margin is entire (as is true of all Orchids), the texture thick, and leathery. The upper side of the leaf is dull green, underside it is silvery with bloom. The leaves which occur along the flower-spike are long-pointed, erect, clasping, and alternate.
The lip of the flower is large, and spreading, with a flattened spur which is largest at the tip, and as long as the foot-stem; other petals small, club-shaped, and bent over like a hood; the calyx parts stand erect, their tips pointed. All parts of the flower are leathery, and thick in texture; and colored a pale pink-violet, except the lip, which is waxen white, tinted with yellow. It is set on a short, twisted foot-stem, in the clasp of a leaf-like bract. The arrangement is alternate, in a few-flowered spike.
This is a noticeably lustreless flower. The twist in the foot-stem is an interesting feature.
| Pink Lady’s Slipper. | Cypripedium acaule. |
| Whip-poor-will. |
Found in the woods, frequently under evergreens, though sometimes in deciduous shade, during May.
The slender flower-stem, from 8 to 12 inches in height, is bent like a shepherd’s crook, and bears on the curve a small, pointed, green leaf. It is hairy, and light green.
There are 2 root-leaves, large (from 5 to 7 inches long), oval, with a pointed tip, and a much clasping base; the ribs are parallel, and prominent, the margin is entire, the texture is loose, and somewhat coarse, and the surface is hairy. Color, green.
The lip of the flower is shaped like a large, hollow bag, slightly puckered on its infolded margin; the other petals are long, narrow, and twist, or curl, on either side of the bag; the calyx-parts are apparently only 2 (though botanists consider the lower is composed of two parts grown together),—they are placed above, and below the bag. The petal-like pistil is pink; the bag—of a loose texture—is a crude crimson-pink, inclining to violet, veined by many darker lines; the other parts of the flower—of a thin texture and hairy—are colored a dull reddish-brown, tinted with purple. The single flower hangs from the end of the stem.
In some localities pure white forms are frequently found, and sometimes a single stem will bear two blossoms placed back to back. A rank odor is observable, if the plant is rudely handled.
| Large Yellow Lady’s Slipper. | Cypripedium pubescens. |
| Yellow Moccason Flower. |
Found in May, about a week later than the Pink Lady’s Slipper, among low growths in moist shade.
The single stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet; it is erect, or slightly bent aside, leafy, strong-fibred, and roughened by minute hairs. Color, green.
The leaf is a broad oval, with a sharp tip, many parallel ribs, of a loose-fibred texture, and hairy on the upper surface. Color, strong green. It clasps the stalk, and folds about it. Two or three or more leaves are placed alternately along the stalk; they diminish gradually in size.
The Yellow Lady’s Slipper’s rounded pouch, or bag, has a circular opening at the top, and is thick in texture, with a smooth and shining surface. The long and narrow side petals are much twisted, and curled; the two calyx-parts are broad-oval, the lower 2-cleft; they are ribbed, with slightly wavy margins. All these parts are thin and downy, and colored dull red, or brownish, or purplish, streaked with green; the pouch is bright yellow, streaked with dull red parallel veins. The flower is set, with an outward swinging gesture, on the tip of the stalk, which is enlarged just beneath the point of contact.
The blossom is faintly odorous.
| Showy Lady’s Slipper. | Cypripedium spectabile. |
| Whip-poor-will’s Shoes. |
Found in bogs and swamps, in July.
The leafy stalk, about 2 feet in height, is downy to the touch. Its color is green.
The large oval leaf tapers much at the tip, and clasps the stalk at the base; the many ribs are parallel, the margin is wavy, and the surface is roughish. In color it is a full toned yellowish-green. The leaves are alternate in growth.
The bag of this flower is large, rounded, and much inflated; it is white and crimson-pink in color, and set about by 4 white petal-like parts. The stamens and large pistil are white, tinged with yellow. From 1 to 3 flowers grow on the summit of the stalk.
This is a curious and showy flower, much sought because of its rarity; its leafage is full, and fine in its long lines and strong curves, and the four flying white pennants give the blossom a cheerful and animated expression.
—— Pogonia ophioglossoides.
Found in swamps and other moist grounds during June and July.
The stalk grows between 6 and 9 inches high; it is smooth, and slender; the color is green.
The leaf is oval, with a thick texture, and smooth surface. Color, a rather light green. Only 2 leaves clasp the stalk, one about midway, and another, much smaller, quite near the flower.
The 5 petals and calyx-parts are long, and narrow, and spread apart to disclose the “bearded” lower petal (or lip); their color is a light rose-pink, the fringed lip being darker, with a pale yellow “beard.” The flower is poised lightly upon the summit of the stalk.
This is one of the prettiest of our Orchids; its fragrance is fresher, and less heavy than that of many of its stouter relatives.
—— Calopogon pulchellus.
Found in swamps and wet grounds, in July.
The smooth, green, flower-stem rises directly from the root, to the height of about a foot.
One grass-like, green leaf grows from the root.
The lower petal of the blossom is wedge-shaped, with a prolonged base, and somewhat fringy in the center,—owing to the straightness of the foot-stem it points upward; the other petals and calyx-parts are pointed-oval in shape; the pistil is petal-like, and curling. The color of the flower is dark magenta, the fringes on the lip being magenta and yellow. From 2 to 6 flowers, on very short foot-stems, grow upon the single stem.
The lip is provided with a hinge, which permits it to fall, and rest upon the curling tip of the pistil beneath.
| Early Purple Fringed Orchid. | Habenaria fimbriata. |
| Meadow Pink. |
Found on moist and shaded banks, or beside wayside runlets, in June.
The single, erect, and leafy stalk, which grows from 15 inches to 2 feet in height, is sharp-angled, somewhat twisted, and smooth to the touch. In color it is a cool, pleasing green.
The lower leaves are sometimes 6 inches long and about 2 wide, above they are small and narrow; the shape is a long-pointed oblong, deeply indented on the strong midrib; with an entire margin, and a smooth shining surface. The color is a cool dark green, silvery with bloom underneath.
The flower is large and beautiful. The lower petal, or lip, is widely spreading and deeply 3-cleft with a fine fringed margin, and a long and slender, curving spur; the other petals are sharp-pointed, their outer margins notched; two of the calyx-parts flare like wings at either side, while the third part is erect between the upper petals; the texture is very fine, and delicate. The color is an exquisite pale lilac, the lip being slightly darker, and fading to a pure waxen white at the throat; the spur is pale pink, or nearly white. The flowers, on fine, twisted and curved, green foot-stems, are arranged alternately, and close together, in a large feathery spire, each foot-stem springing from the angle of a small leaf or bract.
The blossoms are slightly odorous, as though no gift had been refused to this lovely Orchid. Not least among its delightsome qualities is the rich toned green of its leaf, contrasting with the fairy lightness of its blossoming spire.
Small Purple Fringed Orchid. Habenaria psycodes.
Found by roadside springs, or in low damp meadows, during July and August.
The stalk is sparingly leafy, round and smooth, and varies in height from 1 to 8 feet; light green in color.
The long leaf is sharp-pointed at the tip, thin but tough in texture, and smooth; in color yellow-green, not dark. The leaves are few in number, clasping, and near the top somewhat sheath-like; they are placed alternately.
The flower is small; the lip fan-shaped, 3-cleft, and fringed; the other petals erect and fringy; the slender spur is curving, and longer than the foot-stem; the calyx-parts are small and rounded, one being erect and the two others spreading at the sides. The texture is fine, and the color is a clear light lilac, the spur being purplish-green. The curious little foot-stem looks like a rolled leaf; it is green, or slightly tinted pink. The flowers are placed in a terminal spire, springing from the angles of small pale green leaves (bracts).
Green at first, the lilac flush overspreads the buds as they swell before the blossoms expand. It is an odorous flower, and fortunately not uncommon. The spur is more curving than that of the Large Purple Fringed, and the whole plant is more slender and less perfect in its details, yet it is sufficiently like its early sister to be taken for a belated specimen of the fimbriata when first espied amongst the tall grasses.
—— Habenaria Hookeri.
Found along swamps, or in woods, in June.
The angular, somewhat twisted, green flower-stem rises from between two leaves, to the height of 8 or 12 inches.
The large and rounding leaf is 3 or 4 inches broad, and not greatly longer; it has many parallel ribs marking it underneath, a thick and leathery texture, and a smooth, very glossy surface. The color is a strong dark green, the underside being covered with a pale bloom. The two leaves are opposite each other, lying upon the ground.
The flower is rather noticeable in shape, for the lip is wide at the base, with a pointed and much curving tip; the upright petals are very sharp-pointed (like a scimetar), and their needle-like tips cross each other; the spur is a trifle longer than the foot-stem, and very slender; the broad upright part of the calyx behind the upper petals curves forward over them, and nearly meets the upward curve of the lip (thus increasing a resemblance to a pair of nippers); the side calyx-parts are oblong, with fine tips, which turn back. In color all parts of the flower are green, the lip tending somewhat toward yellow. The flowers are set, on twisted foot-stems, alternately, and a certain space apart, in a spike; they each spring from the angle of a sharp-pointed little leaf (or bract) which is longer than the foot-stems.
One of the most interesting features of this Orchid is the peculiar varnished appearance of the underside of the foot-leaf.
| Fringed Green Orchid. | Habenaria lacera. |
| Ragged Orchis. |
Found, during July and August, on moist banks, and beside running water.
The round smooth stalk grows to be 8 or 12 inches high; it is nearly white at the foot, gaining to a dull, but pale, green near the flowers.
The few leaves are lance-shaped, large near the ground and lessening to a mere sheath above, of a tough texture, and smooth surface. They are alternately placed, and clasp the stalk with a marked fold on the midrib. The color is a faded yellow-green.
The lip of the small flower is fan-shaped, with a very narrow base, 3-cleft, and spreading; the other petals are erect and fringy; the spur is long and curved; the calyx is small, the side-parts flaring, the third part erect behind the petals; it is colored a pale yellow-green. The foot-stem is slightly twisted, as long as the spur, and pale. The blossoms are placed alternately, rising from the angles of small enfolding leaves (bracts), in a scattering terminal spike.
There is a monotony of hue about this plant, and a general dinginess of aspect, that render it rather uninteresting; the lip more nearly approaches clarity of tone than any other part of the flower.
—— Habenaria hyperborea.
Found in cold dark bogs, and deep woods, in July and August.
The rigidly erect stalk, in height 10 to 18 inches, is round and smooth at the foot, but becomes angular or grooved, and twisted, above; pale green in color.
The lower leaves are oblong, and round-pointed, the upper leaves longer and sharp-pointed; they are folded on the midrib, and leathery in texture; in color dark green, the underside pale, shining, and moist. They are placed alternately, and clasp the stalk like a sheath. Three or 4 large leaves occur at the foot; the change to the pointed shape is very abrupt.
The flower is small; the lip is sharp-pointed and flaring, the other petals smaller and narrow, their tips overlapping, under the erect calyx-part, while the two side calyx-parts curve downwards; the spur is blunt, short, and curved. The seed-box is very noticeable, shaped like a large dangled bag, with a very small neck, from which the blossom spreads. All parts of the flowers are tinted alike, a dull green. They are set tight to the stalk each in the clasp of a small sharp-tipped pale-green leafy bract, in a close club-shaped spike.
The stamens just show their brown tips under the hooded petals, thus increasing the fantastic likeness to a little old woman which is given to the flower by its big seed-box. Reports from Iceland and Greenland show that this Orchid ventures far into the arctic regions.
Rattlesnake Plantain. Goodyera pubescens.
Found in rich woods, usually near evergreens, and blossoming in July and August.
This leaf is oval, with a short, wide foot-stem; its entire margin is ruffled a little, it is thick, silky-soft to the touch, and of a gray-green color finely netted with whitey-green markings. The leaves are set in a cluster, close to the ground.
The small greenish-white flower has a lip like a short pouch, with a sharp, narrow tip, the outer parts being folded loosely about it; it is waxen in texture, and placed on the top of the green, downy seed-box. The flowers are set closely in a spike, whose stem rises from the middle of the leaf-tuft to the height of 6 or more inches.
The foliage of this Orchid is more striking than its flower, and usually lasts very late into the fall.
Lady’s Tresses. Spiranthes Romanzoffiana.
Found during July and August beside meadow runnels, and on moist banks.
The round little flower-stem is twisted and smooth; about 8 or 10 inches high; and of a pale green color, pink at the foot.
The long narrow leaf, with its sharp-pointed tip, is not large, and contracts to a mere sheath near the flower; its texture is thick, and surface smooth; it clasps the stem. The arrangement is alternate, and the color is a dull, but pale, green.
The small flower is indeterminate in shape, with an oblong down-bent lip, all the other parts being erect and holding their tips together; the throat is round and hollow; the texture is waxen and the color white, or sometimes tinged with faint dull yellow. The flowers, set down in the hold of enfolding, green sheath-like bracts whose pointed tips curve over the blossoms, are arranged in rows to form a close spike.
The twisting of the flower-stem causes the ranks of blossoms to appear to be placed in a spiral arrangement. The flowers have a cloying perfume.
Lady’s Tresses. Spiranthes præcox.
Found in moist meadows and waysides during September and October.
The erect stalk varies in height from 4 to 12 inches; it is round and smooth; light green or pale in color.
The long slender root-leaves (one or two), which rise from the ground, are tapering at the base, firm and thick of fibre, and smooth to the touch; the color is yellowish-green. A few sheathing little leaves occur along the stalk.
The small flower is very like S. Romanzoffiana, with a curving lip, and crinkled margins; in color it is pearly white. It is enfolded in an oval, small, green leafy bract. The flowers are oddly arranged, in a single much twisted row, forming a spiral spike.
The blossoms are sweet scented.