north american native orchid journal - at The Culture Sheet

NORTH AMERICAN 

NATIVE ORCHID JOURNAL 

Volume 15(4) 2009 

IN THIS ISSUE: 

WILD ORCHIDS OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF 

NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE

The North American Native Orchid Journal (ISSN 1084-7332) is a publication 

devoted to promoting interest and knowledge of the native orchids of North 

America. A limited number of the print version of each issue of the Journal are 

available upon request and electronic versions are available to all interested 

persons or institutions free of charge. The Journal welcomes articles of any 

nature that deal with native or introduced orchids that are found growing wild 

in North America, primarily north of Mexico, although articles of general 

interest concerning Mexican species will always be welcome.

NORTH AMERICAN 

NATIVE ORCHID JOURNAL 

Volume 15 (4) 2009 

CONTENTS 

NOTES FROM THE EDITORS 

202 

WILD ORCHIDS 

OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS 

OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE 

Paul Martin Brown & Stan Folsom 

203 

Unless otherwise credited, all drawings in this issue are by Stan Folsom and photographs by 

P.M. Brown. 

The opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the authors. Scientific articles may be 

subject to peer review and popular articles will be examined for both accuracy and scientific 

content. 

Volume 15(4): 202-272 issued November 23, 2009. 

Copyright 2009 by the North American Native Orchid Journal 

Cover: Cypripedium acaule by Stan Folsom

NOTES FROM THE EDITORS 

The summer of 2009 was a special one as your senior editor and Stan 

Folsom spent many hours in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and 

Maine and here is the result. This issue is set up in field guide style. Please note 

that descriptions and references apply to the orchids as they are found in this 

region and not necessarily throughout their range. 

Volume 16 number 1 will be available in January-February 2010 and will 

be a special issue focusing on the propagation, cultivation, and reintroduction of 

North American native orchids. This special issue will be a collection of 

scientific and popular articles by authors from throughout North America 

discussing topics as diverse as symbiotic seed germination to plant 

reintroduction. Articles will represent a mixture of primary research, personal 

stories, and review-style contributions. 

The electronic format continues to be well received and we now reach 

more than 1800 readers. Back issues from volume 3 (1997) to present are now 

available online and you may read the current and back issues at: 

http://wiki.terrorchid.org/tow:journals 

The current update of the North American Personal Checklist is also 

available at that website. The checklist will be updated as needed with new taxa 

noted. 

Paul Martin Brown, Editor 

naorchid@aol.com 

10896 SW 90 th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34481 

36 Avenue F, Acton, Maine 04001 (June- early October) 

Scott L. Stewart, PhD. Associate Editor 

slstewar@gmail.com 

Kankakee Community College 

Horticulture & Agriculture Programs 

100 College Drive 

Kankakee, Illinois 60901 

202

Brown & Folsom: WILD ORCHIDS OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE 

WILD ORCHIDS OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS 

OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE 


The White Mountains of New Hampshire and adjacent Maine cover much of the central portion of the 

former and only just reach into Maine in Oxford County. Extending in the west from the Connecticut River 

Valley east through the Presidentials and the New Hampshire/Maine border and south to the Lake Chocorua 

and Rumney areas these hills and mountains are laden with a diverse flora and some of the rarest plants to be 

found in North America. Just north of Route 2 lies the Pilot Range and the Kilkenny Mountains. Although not 

contiguous with the main portion of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) this section is well worth 

exploring for an abundance of orchids as well as the only area that has Spiranthes casei. The study area covered all 

of the White Mountain National Forest and adjacent local, state, and federal conservation lands. 

The orchids found in this region are typical of much of New England but represent the northern limits 

of several more southern species such as Isotria medeoloides, Goodyera pubescens, Corallorhiza odontorhiza, and 

Triphora trianthophoros. As often happens at the limit of the range large populations may be found of species 

such as the Triphora and Corallorhiza. 

Although much of the territory is backwoods and has limited accessibility, many of the orchids are 

easily seen along roadsides and trails. A spring drive on the Kancamagus Highway will have the road shoulders 

littered with pink lady‖s-slippers in all shades of pink and many white ones as well. Bear Notch Road is equally 

as rewarding and may present several other species over the summer months. Route 302 through Crawford 

Notch often has excellent colonies of large purple fringed orchids in late July and for the more adventuresome 

the Bog Dam Loop Rd. in the Kilkenny‖s never fails to please. Hiking trails that can be rewarding orchidwise are 

those in Evan‖s Notch, the Wild River area, and the various Ammonoosuc trails. Even the more popular and 

often heavily used trails near the various campgrounds and picnic areas still harbor many orchids 

Over 50 years of exploring this region culminated in a concentrated effort in 2009 to document all of the 

known orchid species from the WMNF and not surprisingly resulted in four species not before recorded from 

the WMNF – Arethusa bulbosa, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Liparis loeselii, and Spiranthes casei. 

As rugged as much of terrain is, the trailsides and wetlands are exceedingly fragile. PLEASE use 

extreme caution when observing and photographing the wild orchids. Most of the species found in this 

area are state listed as endangered or threatened and one species, Isotria medeoloides, is listed as federally 

threatened. Collection of any plant material, for any reason, within the White Mountain National Forest 

is strictly prohibited and outside of the forest requires landowner and/or state permission. 

More details on all of these species and their myriad of color and growth forms may be found in our 

recent publication Wild Orchids of the Northeast (University Press of Florida, 2007). Only the color and growth 

forms that have been found within the region are listed in this work. 


203


1. Kancamagus Highway 

2. Bear Notch Rd. 

3. Crawford Notch 

4. Evan‖s Notch 

5. Wild River Rd. 

1 

2 

6. Bog Dam Loop Rd. 

3 

2 

Two excellent map resources for the region are: 

6 

2 

2 

http://www.stateparks.com/gmaps/curlocation.asp?lat=44.16667&lon 

=-71.50028&z=12 

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/maps/location_map 

.php 

204 

5 

2 

4 

2


CHECKLIST OF THE WILD ORCHIDS OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN REGION OF NEW 

HAMPSHIRE AND ADJACENT MAINE 

Many of the orchids are found in all four counties – Carroll, Grafton, Coös, New Hampshire 

& Oxford, Maine; those that are restricted are noted. 

Arethusa bulbosa 

dragon’s-mouth Carroll, Grafton 

Coeloglossum viride var. virescens 

long bracted green orchis Coös, Oxford 

Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata 

spotted coralroot 

Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis 

western spotted coralroot 

Corallorhiza odontorhiza 

autumn coralroot 

Corallorhiza trifida 

early coralroot 

Cypripedium acaule 

pink lady’s-slipper, moccasin flower 

Cypripedium arietinum 

ram’s-head lady’s-slipper Coös 

Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin 

northern small yellow lady’s-slipper Coös 

Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens 

large yellow lady’s-slipper Grafton 

Epipactis helleborine 

broad-leaved helleborine 

Goodyera pubescens 

downy rattlesnake orchis 

Goodyera repens 

lesser rattlesnake orchis Coös 

Goodyera tesselata 

checkered rattlesnake orchis 

Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. clavellata 

little club-spur orchis 

Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. ophioglossoides 

northern club spur orchis 

Isotria medeoloides 

small whorled pogonia Carroll 

Listera auriculata 

auricled twayblade Coös 

Listera convallarioides 

broad-lipped twayblade Coös, Oxford 

205 

Listera cordata 

heart-leaved twayblade 

Malaxis unifolia 

green adder’s-mouth 

Platanthera aquilonis 

northern green bog orchis Coös 

Platanthera dilatata 

tall white northern bog orchis 

Platanthera grandiflora 

large purple fringed orchis 

Platanthera hookeri 

Hooker’s orchis 

Platanthera huronensis 

green bog orchis 

Platanthera lacera 

green fringed orchis, ragged orchis 

Platanthera macrophylla 

Goldie’s pad-leaved orchis 

Platanthera obtusata 

blunt-leaved rein orchis Coös 

Platanthera orbiculata 

pad-leaved orchis 

Platanthera psycodes 

small purple fringed orchis 

Pogonia ophioglossoides 

rose pogonia; snakemouth orchid Carroll, 

Grafton 

Spiranthes casei 

Case’s ladies’-tresses Coös 

Spiranthes cernua 

nodding ladies’-tresses 

Spiranthes lacera var. lacera 

northern slender ladies’-tresses 

Spiranthes ochroleuca 

yellow ladies’-tresses 

Spiranthes romanzoffiana 

hooded ladies’-tresses 

Triphora trianthophoros 

three birds orchid Carroll, Oxford


ARETHUSA is a small genus found in eastern North America and Japan. The 

brilliantly colored flowers are a feature of many of the bogs and fens of 

northeastern North America. 

Arethusa bulbosa Linnaeus 

dragon’s-mouth 

Range: southern Manitoba east to Newfoundland, and south to 

northern South Carolina, west to northern Indiana and central 

Minnesota 

In the White Mountains region: very rare; found in the WMNF for 

the first time in 2009; well-established in Sugar Hill for many years 

Plant: terrestrial, 4-15 (20) cm tall 

Leaves: 1; linear, 0.3-1.2 cm wide and 5.0-23.0 cm long; appressed to the 

flowering stem when young and continuing to develop as the plant matures 

Flowers: usually 1, occasionally 2-4; rose, rich pink, or magenta or, in the 

forma albiflora, flowers pure white or, in the forma subcaerulea, lilac-blue; 

individual flower size 1-3 cm; miniature individuals, with flowers no more than 

0.5 cm tall, rarely occur 

Habitat: sphagnum bogs, fens, and seeps 

Flowering period: late spring 

To many native orchid enthusiasts Arethusa is the ultimate gem of the northern 

affinity bogs and fens. Although it is one of the commonest orchids in the far 

northern portion of its range and is one of the first of the showy ―bog pinks‖ to 

flower each spring, in central and northern New Hampshire it is very rare. 

Plants often appear leafless at flowering time, as the emerging grass-like leaf is 

nearly appressed to 

the flower stalk, 

although it will 

elongate later in the 

season. The beautiful 

pink flowers are 

distinctive and could only be 

confused (at a distance) with the 

rose pogonia, Pogonia ophioglossoides, 

with which it frequently 

grows. 

206


COELOGLOSSUM is a monotypic circumpolar genus. The plants occur 

in a variety of habitats in boreal and mountainous area throughout much 

of the northern hemisphere. Two varieties are known and a third variety, 

var. interjecta, intermediate between both the predominately Eurasian var. 

viride and the widespread North America var. virescens, was described by 

Fernald but appears to be based upon plants with the leaves appressed to 

the stem rather than wide-spreading. Recent molecular studies have placed 

this genus within the genus Dactylorhiza, but Sheviak and Catling (FNA 

2002) have chosen to recognize the two genera as separate but closely 

related. 

Coeloglossum viride (Linnaeus) Hartman var. virescens 

(Mühlenberg) Luer 

long-bracted green orchis 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to Washington, 

New Mexico, Iowa, and North Carolina 

In the White Mountains region: very rare in mesic 

woodlands in the vicinity of Wild River 

Plant: terrestrial, 20-80 cm tall 

Leaves: 3-5; 2 cm wide and up to 30 cm long passing into slender 

floral bracts 

Flowers: 8-35; the linear petals and ovate sepals forming a 

hood; the lip oblong and notched at the tip; flowers 

subtended by bracts distinctly exceeding the flowers; petals 

and sepals green, the lip often suffused with purple; spur 

minute and inconspicuous 

Habitat: deciduous mesic woodlands, open coniferous 

forests, often along roadsides and trails 

Flowering period: June to August 

207 

The long-bracted green 

orchis, despite its coloration, is 

a conspicuous and distinctive 

member of the woodland 

orchid flora of eastern North 

America. The long, slender 

bracts subtending each flower 

give rise to the common name, 

and upon close examination 

reveal the distinctive notched 

lip. After pollination the floral 

parts remain on the plant so as 

to appear still in flower many 

weeks after anthesis.


The genus CORALLORHIZA has 13 species throughout North America and Hispaniola. One species, C. trifida, is 

widespread across Eurasia. The plants are entirely mycotrophic and some are thought to be saprophytes. They 

arise from a coralloid rhizome, hence the name. The entire genus is easily recognizable from its leafless stems, 

although they may be variously colored, and by their small flowers. 

Three species and two varieties may be found within the White Mountains region 

Key to the coralroots, Corallorhiza 

1a autumn flowering…2 

1b spring and/or summer flowering…3 

2a flowers chasmogamous; stems slender, brownish; petals and sepals indistinct, lip fully expanded white 

with purple spotting; autumn flowering... .....Pringle’s autumn coralroot, Corallorhiza odontorhiza var. 

pringlei 

2b flowers cleistogamous, flower very small, less than 3 mm, autumn flowering.....autumn coralroot, 

Corallorhiza odontorhiza var. odontorhiza 

3a spring flowering, stems green to yellow; lip white with 2 lateral lobes or teeth; plain or (rarely) 

spotted.....early coralroot, Corallorhiza trifida 

3b summer flowering…4 

4a stems stout; variously colored; petals and sepals distinct, late spring-summer flowering; 

sides of lip broadened, flowers open wide.....western spotted coralroot, Corallorhiza maculata var. 

occidentalis 

4b midsummer flowering; sides of lip parallel..... spotted coralroot, Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata 

208


Corallorhiza maculata (Rafinesque) Rafinesque var. maculata 

spotted coralroot 

forma flavida (Peck) Farwell–yellow-stemmed form 

forma rubra P.M. Brown–red-stemmed form 

Range: British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to California, 

Arizona, and New Mexico; in the Appalachian Mountains south to 

northern Georgia and South Carolina 

In the White Mountains region: occasional throughout, usually in 

open woodlands 

Plant: terrestrial, mycotrophic, 20-50 cm tall; stems bronzy-tan or, in the 

forma flavida, bright yellow, or in the forma rubra, red 

Leaves: none 

Flowers: 5-20; tepals typically brownish or, in the forma flavida, bright 

yellow or, in the forma rubra, red; lip white, spotted with madder purple; 

in the forma flavida, unspotted or, in the forma rubra, spotted with bright 

red; lip with the middle lobe not expanded, the sides obviously parallel; 

individual flowers 5.0-7.5 mm, the floral parts not wide-spreading and 

appearing somewhat cupped; individual flowers 5.0-7.5 mm, mentum obscure 

Habitat: rich mesic and mixed forests 

Flowering period: late May to July 

The spotted coralroot is the most frequently encountered species of coralroot 

found within eastern North America and is widespread and relatively common 

throughout much of the Northeastern. The variation in the stem color is 

usually evident in even small populations. Annual populations vary greatly and 

often colonize disturbed areas. 

forma rubra 

209


Corallorhiza maculata (Rafinesque) Rafinesque var. occidentalis (Lindley) Ames 

western spotted coralroot 

forma aurea P.M. Brown–golden yellow/spotted form 

forma immaculata (Peck) Howell–yellow spotless form 

forma intermedia Farwell–brown-stemmed form 

forma punicea (Bartholomew) Weatherby & Adams–red-stemmed form 

Range: British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to 

California, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, New England and 

Virginia 

In the White Mountains region: rare to occasional throughout, 

usually in open mixed woodlands 

Plant: terrestrial, mycotrophic, 20-50 cm tall; stems bronzy-tan or, 

in the forma immaculata, yellow or, in the forma intermedia, the 

stems brown or, in the forma punicea, the stems strikingly deep red 

Leaves: none 

Flowers: 5-20+; tepals typically colored bronzy-tan as the stems or, 

in the forma intermedia, the stems brown or, in the forma punicea, 

the stems strikingly deep red with the lip spotted in purple or dark 

red, in the forma immaculata, yellow to white the lip lacking all 

spotting; lip with the middle lobe expanded, the sides obviously 

broadened; individual flowers 5.0-7.5 mm, the floral parts wide spreading, 

mentum obscure 



The common name western 

spotted coralroot is somewhat 

misleading as this 

variety extends eastward 

through the Great Lakes 

region to Newfoundland and 

south, sparingly, to West 

Virginia. Northward both the 

nominate variety and var. 

occidentalis may occur in the 

same woodlands and are 

usually well separated 

in flowering time. 

The broad lip easily 

separates var. occidenttalis 

from the straightside 

lip of var. 

maculata. 

210


Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Willdenow) Nuttall var. odontorhiza 

autumn coralroot 

forma flavida Wherry–yellow-flowered form 

Range: South Dakota east to Maine, south to Oklahoma and northern 

Florida 

In the White Mountains region: very rare and known only from a 

single location in Carroll Co., NH 

Plant: terrestrial, mycotrophic, 5-10 cm tall; stems bronzy-green or, in 

the forma flavida, yellow 

Leaves: lacking 

Flowers: 5-12; cleistogamous; sepals green suffused with purple, covering 

the petals; lip, rarely evident in this variety, white spotted with purple or, 

in the forma flavida, unspotted; individual flower size 3-4 mm 

Habitat: rich, often calcareous, woodlands 

Flowering period: September-October 

The fact that this inconspicuous little orchid is rarely found may be 

attributed more to its size and habit than necessarily to its rarity. The 

autumn coralroot appears to be never common anywhere and is usually 

found by accident. The short stems often flower among the fallen leaves in 

the autumn months and the coloration, sans chlorophyll, makes them even 

harder to see. The single location in the White Mts. is most remarkable as it 

occurs in what appears to be an ordinary oak/maple woodland and is 

exceptionally large with over 300 plants in 2009. Plants with open flowers 

and expanded lips may 

be the var. pringlei. 

211


Corallorhiza trifida Chatelain 

early coralroot 

forma verna (Nuttall) P.M. Brown—yellow stemmed/white lipped form 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to California, northern 

New Mexico, and in scattered localities to West Virginia 

In the White Mountains region: occasional to local 

Plant: terrestrial, mycotrophic, 5-30 cm tall; stems yellow to yellowgreen 

in the south to bronze in the far north 

Leaves: none 

Flowers: 8-15; tepals yellow-green to bronze, occasionally spotted with 

purple in plants of the far north, wide-spreading; lip white, often 

spotted with purple, especially in highly colored northern individuals; 

mentum inconspicuous; individual flowers 0.5-1.0 cm 



Although smaller than many of the other coralroots in our area, the 

bright greenish-yellow stems of the early coralroot stand out among the 

forest companions. In the northernmost areas plants grow out in the open 

barrens and tundra and tend to blend in a bit more. Coloration can vary 

some in that the plants of open exposed areas are often suffused with bronze 

and the floral parts with purple spots. The plants more common in the 

southern portion of the range with pure white 

lips were designated as variety verna by Nuttall 

nearly 200 years ago, but that variation is better 

treated as a form. 

212 

Fording a 

wild stream or 

traversing a shaky 

suspension bridge to 

find these orchids takes real 

dedication of the orchid enthusiast. 

The reward is finding the plants or 

finding something 

unexpected 

on the journey 

like the Corallorhiza 

in a damp 

glen along the 

road.


CYPRIPEDIUM is a distinctive genus of about 45 species with 12 occurring in North America, north of 

Mexico. Although the leaf arrangement is variable, the lip, an unmistakable pouch-shaped slipper, is always 

diagnostic. This is often the genus that is first recognized by orchid enthusiasts. 

Key to the lady‖s-slippers found within the White Mountains region 

1a leaves basal.....pink lady’s-slipper, Cypripedium acaule 

1b leaves cauline...2 

2a lip white, with veins in shades of purple.....ram’s-head lady’s-slipper, Cypripedium arietinum 

2b lip yellow...3 

3a flowers commonly large, lip to 5.4 cm long; sepals and petals unmarked to spotted, striped, or 

reticulately marked with reddish brown or madder; plants of a variety of habitats, usually mesic to 

calcareous woodlands.....large yellow lady’s-slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens 

3b flowers small, lip 1.5–2.9 cm long, sepals and petals usually suffused with dark reddish brown or 

madder; scent intensely sweet; plants of calcareous fens and other mesic to limy wetlands.....northern 

small yellow lady’s-slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin 

213


Cypripedium acaule Aiton 

pink lady’s-slipper, moccasin flower 

forma albiflorum Rand & Redfield–white-flowered form 

forma biflorum P.M. Brown–2-flowered form 

Range: Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland, south 

to Minnesota, Mississippi, and Georgia 

In the White Mountains region: frequent to 

occasional throughout, usually in open woodlands, 

rarely in sphagnum bogs and heaths 


Leaves: 2; oblong-obovate, 5-13 cm wide × 10-30 

cm long or, in the forma lancifolium, 3-5 cm wide; 

pubescent 

Flowers: 1, rarely 2 in the forma biflorum; sepals 

green to reddish-brown, petals bronze; lip pale 

rosy-pink to deep raspberry or, in the forma 

albiflorum, white with pale green petals and 

sepals; individual flower size ca. 4 × 4 cm; lip 3-6 

cm long with a longitudinal fissure 

Habitat: mixed hardwood and coniferous forest; 

usually in highly acidic soils 

Flowering period: late May to early July 

214


Cypripedium acaule, the pink lady’s-slipper or moccasin flower is perhaps one of the most 

familiar orchids to be found in northeastern North America. Although color is variable and 

presents itself in just about every shade of pink, some actually tend towards peach. The forma 

albiflorum is more frequent northward and in many places in the WMNF is the more 

frequently seen color form. It is the showiest roadside orchid in late Spring in the region. 

forma albiflorum/biflorum 

215 

forma biflorum 

forma albiflorum


Cypripedium arietinum R. Brown 

ram’s-head lady’s-slipper 

Range: Manitoba and Minnesota east to Nova Scotia, south to 

Massachusetts 

In the White Mountains region: very rare and local 


Leaves: 3-4; elliptic-lanceolate, bluish-green; 1.5-3.0 cm 

wide × 5-10 cm long 

Flowers: 1, rarely 2 in the forma biflorum; dorsal sepal 

ovate-lanceolate, greenish with purple-brown veining, 

lateral sepals separate, slender, slightly twisted, bronzygreen 

to purplish; petals similar to lateral sepals; lip funnelshape, 

broadened above; white with pink-deep raspberry veining 

or, in the forma albiflorum, white with pale green petals and 

sepals; individual flower size ca. 1.5 × 2 cm; lip 1 cm long with an 

oval fissure densely pubescent on the margin 

Habitat: mixed hardwood and coniferous forest; usually in 

circumneutral to calcareous soils 

Flowering period: late May though June 

The ram’-head lady’s-slipper is the smallest flowered 

216 

and most inconspicuous of all of our species 

of Cypripedium. The flowers are about the 

size of the tip of your finger and are held 

aloft at the top of the stem. In northern New 

England it is nowhere common southward is 

exceedingly rare. Plants are usually confined 

to calcareous woodlands. The shape of the lip 

is unique among our North American 

species. This species is of conservation 

concern in every state and province in which 

it occurs. In the White Mts. region it is 

known from an historical site near Shelburne 

just north of Rt. 2 in Coös County, NH. and 

just south of the region is an extant site near 

Moultonboro This species should be eagerly 

sought within the WMNF and environs.


Cypripedium parviflorum Salisbury var. makasin (Farwell) Sheviak 

northern small yellow lady’s-slipper 

Range: British Columbia south to northern California, east to 

Newfoundland, south to Illinois and Pennsylvania 

In the White Mountains region: very rare and known only 

from an historical site in Coös County, NH 


Leaves: 3-5; alternate, spreading; ovate to ovate-elliptic 

to lance-elliptic, 1.6-12.0 cm wide × 5.0-20 cm long; the 

outer surface of the lowermost sheathing bract sparsely 

pubescent to glabrous when young 

Flowers: 1-2(3); sepals and petals suffused with a dark 

reddish-brown or madder, often appearing as a 

uniform color; lateral sepals united; petals undulate 

and spiraled to 10 cm long; lip ovoid, slipper-shaped, 

usually a deep, rich yellow, with scarlet to purple 

markings within the lip; individual flower size ca. 

2.0 × 3.0 cm; lip 1.5-2.9 cm long, the opening 

ovate-oblong at the base of the lip; intensely sweetly 

scented 

Habitat: mesic to calcareous, moist woodlands, streamsides, 

bogs, and fens 

Flowering period: June-July 

The small, richly colored and intensely fragrant flowers of the northern small yellow lady’sslipper 

are, in most instances easily distinguished from those of the large yellow lady’sslipper. 

Where the confusion occurs is in finding plants of Cypripedium parviflorum var. 

pubescens that have rich, dark petals. Usually these plants also have large lips. Habitat is often 

a help but it is important to check out all of the criteria. In the White Mts. region is known 

from an historical site near Shelburne just north of Rt. 2 in Coös County, NH. 

217


Cypripedium parviflorum Salisbury var. pubescens (Willdenow) 

Knight 

large yellow lady’s-slipper 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to Arizona and 

Georgia 

In the White Mountains region: very rare in mesic woodlands 


Leaves: 3-5; alternate, somewhat evenly spaced along the 

stem, spreading; ovate to ovate-elliptic to lance-elliptic, 

2.5-12.0 cm wide × 8-20 cm long; the outer surface 

of the lowermost sheathing bract densely 

pubescent with short, silvery hairs when young 

Flowers: 1-3(4); sepals and petals spotted, 

splotched, or marked with brown, chestnut, or 

reddish-brown spots, rarely appearing as a 

uniform color; lateral sepals united; petals 

undulate and spiraled to 10 cm long; lip slipper-shaped, 

from pale to a deep, rich yellow, less often with scarlet 

markings within the lip; individual flower size ca. 4.5 × 12.0 cm; 

lip 2.5-5.4 cm, the opening ovate-oblong at the base of the lip; scent 

moderate to faint reminiscent of old roses 

Habitat: a wide variety of mesic to calcareous, wet to dry woodlands, streamsides, bogs, and 

fens 

Flowering period: early June through July in the far 

north 

Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens is the classic 

yellow lady‖s-slipper so familiar to many wildflower 

lovers and gardeners. Although it has declined 

dramatically in some areas in the past twenty-five 

years, it still can be found in rich forests and swamps 

throughout much of the mesic and calcareous 

woodlands of our region. The fact that this is one of 

the few native orchids than can be cultivated in the 

garden has led to its decline in the wild. It is not all 

that unusual to often come upon sites where in past 

years there have been many plants, only to find many 

holes where they have been dug. 

218

alba 


EPIPACTIS is a cosmopolitan genus of about 25 species, only one of which, E. gigantea, 

is native in North America, well west of the Southeast. Three Eurasian species 

can also be found in North America, including E. helleborine. 

Epipactis helleborine (Linnaeus) Cranz 

broad-leaved helleborine 

forma alba (Webster) Boivin–white-flowered form 

forma viridens A. Gray–green-flowered form 

Range: eastern North America; southeastern California; scattered in 

western North America; Europe 

In the White Mountains region: becoming locally common 


Leaves: 3-7; alternate, spreading; lance-elliptic, 2.5-4.0 cm wide × 10-18 cm 

long 

Flowers: 15-50; highly variable in color but normally yellowgreen 

usually suffused with rosy-pink, individual flowers 1- 

3 cm across 

Habitat: highly variable, from shaded calcareous woodlands 

to front lawns and garden beds and even the crack in a concrete 

sidewalk!; typically a lime-lover 

Flowering period: July to early September 

The widespread European Epipactis helleborine was first found in North America near 

Syracuse, New York in 1878. In the ensuing century-plus it has spread throughout the region 

and can now be found all the way eastward to downtown Boston, Massachusetts and 

northward to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and in recent years westward to California. 

Plants appear to pop up here and there, usually in the vicinity of calcareous soils or debris. It 

can be equally happy in woodland and exposed situations. With the exception of forma 

viridens, the various forms are exceedingly rare and are represented by very few collections. 

Exploring in a similar habitat, but a new area, yielded a 

rich abundance of the Epipactis that likes to grow in limy 

areas like the old kiln site across the trail where the 

original site was discovered. 

forma viridens 

219


GOODYERA is a large genus that is widespread throughout the world; it is known for its beautifully marked and 

reticulated leaves and has often earned the name of "jewel orchids" for the group. The degree of leaf markings 

varies greatly even within a species. In the United States and Canada we have 4 species. 

Key to the rattlesnake orchises found within the White Mountains region 

1a flowers in a dense spike.....downy rattlesnake orchis, Goodyera pubescens 

1b flowers in a lax spike...2 

2b lateral sepals reflexed at tip; plants rare and local northward.....lesser rattlesnake orchis, Goodyera 

repens 

2b lateral sepals not reflexed; plants widespread.....checkered rattlesnake orchis, Goodyera tesselata 

Goodyera pubescens - below: exceptionally marked leaves 

220 

right: plant 

showing 

possible 

hybridization 

with G. 

tesselata


Goodyera pubescens (Willdenow) R. Brown 

downy rattlesnake orchis 

Range: Ontario east to Nova Scotia, south to Arkansas and Florida 

In the White Mountains region: at the northern limit of its range 

but widespread and scattered in the southern portion of the region 


Leaves: 4-8; in a basal rosette, bluish-green with white reticulations on 

the veins, broadly lanceolate, 2-4 cm wide × 4-10 cm long; evergreen 

Flowers: 20-50+; in a densely flowered terminal spike; white, 

copiously pubescent; petals and sepals somewhat similar and the upper 

ones forming a hood over the spreading sepals and saccate lip; 

individual flower size ca. 3 × 4 mm 

Habitat: mixed and deciduous woodlands 

Flowering period: August 

Goodyera pubescens, the downy rattlesnake orchis is a typically southern 

species is reaching the northern limit of its range in the Northeast. It has 

the most handsomely marked foliage of any of our native orchids and 

also has the added feature of being evergreen. Large patches are 

often formed and when in 

flower the snow-white blooms 

atop the slender spikes make it 

the showiest of all of the 

rattlesnake orchises in North 

America. The entire inflorescence 

is copiously pubescent 

and the neat, little rounded 

buds form a fanciful appearance to that of the 

tail of a rattlesnake! 

221


Goodyera repens (Linnaeus) R. Brown 

lesser rattlesnake orchis 

forma ophioides (Fernald) P.M. Brown–white veined leaf form 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to Wyoming, south 

in the Rocky and Appalachian Mts.; northern Eurasia 

In the White Mountains region: very rare and local 


Leaves: 3-6; in a basal rosette, dark green or, in the forma 

ophioides, marked with silver veining, ovate, 0.5-2.0 cm wide × 

1.0-4.0 cm long 

Flowers: 10-20; in a loosely flowered, spiraled - often one-sided - 

terminal raceme; white, pubescent; dorsal sepal and petals 

forming a hood over the rounded lip, lateral sepals often 

reflexed; individual flower size 2 × 3(4) mm 

Habitat: mixed and deciduous woodlands; sphagnum woodlands 

Flowering period: July-August 

Goodyera repens, the tiniest of the rattlesnake orchises, is the 

only North American species to be found in Eurasia as well. The 

small rosettes of the nominate variety are nearly plain with little 

or no contrasting veining. This is what is seen throughout most 

of the range in Europe and Asia and rarely seen in northernmost 

North America. The forma ophioides, with the beautiful silver 

veining on the leaves, is the form most frequently seen through 

most of North America. Plants can be quite variable in the 

degree of veining. Fernald described this form as var. ophioides 

but as it passes into var. repens 

northward (especially in Canada) 

it is best treated as a form. 

left: typical leaves 

above: possible hybrid with G. tesselata 

222


Goodyera tesselata Loddiges 

checkered rattlesnake orchis 

Range: Manitoba east to Newfoundland, south to Minnesota and Maryland 

In the White Mountains region: local to occasional throughout 


Leaves: 4-8; in a basal rosette, dull bluish-green, finely reticulated with slender white 

markings, elliptic-lanceolate, 1.0-2.5 cm wide × 2.0-8.0 cm long 

Flowers: 10-40; in a loosely flowered spiral - usually one-side - terminal raceme; white, 

copiously pubescent; dorsal sepal and petals lanceolate and forming a hood over the short, 

rounded lip; individual flower size 3 × 4 mm 

Habitat: mixed and deciduous woodlands 


The checkered rattlesnake orchis occupies an interesting position among the four species of 

Goodyera found in North America. Plants appearing to be hybrids between G. tesselata and 

G. pubescens have a striking resemblance to G. oblongifolia and are responsible for several 

erroneous Eastern records of the latter species. Goodyera tesselata does appear to readily 

backcross with G. repens resulting in plants that often challenge (and frustrate) the observer. 

223


Gymnadeniopsis was formerly placed within the genera Habenaria and Platanthera, and the 3 species that 

Rydberg used to comprise the genus Gymnadeniopsis have been recently been revalidated (Brown, 2002). Stone 

(1910) in his exhaustive work on southern New Jersey uses the genus Gymnadeniopsis for these three species. 

Several differences are present that render them distinctive. The presence of tubers on the roots and small 

tubercles on the column are two of the major difference that separates them from the other genera. Only one 

species is present in New England 

224


Gymnadeniopsis clavellata (Michaux) Rydberg var. clavellata 

little club-spur orchis 

forma slaughteri (P.M. Brown) P.M. Brown–white-flowered form 

forma wrightii (Olive) P.M. Brown–spurless form 

Range: Wisconsin east to Maine, south to Texas and Georgia 

In the White Mountains region: widespread and often frequent 

throughout 


Leaves: 2; cauline, ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 cm wide × 5-15 cm long, 

passing upward into bracts 

Flowers: 5-15; arranged in a loose terminal raceme, flowers usually 

twisted to one side; sepals ovate, petals linear, enclosed within the 

sepals and forming a hood; lip oblong, the apex obscurely 3-lobed; 

perianth yellow-green or, in the forma slaughteri, white; individual 

flower size 0.5 cm, not including the 1 cm spur, the small tip swollen 

(clavate) or, in the forma wrightii, the spur absent 

Habitat: damp woods, streamsides, open, wet ditches 


The small, pale greenish flowers of the little club-spur orchis are very 

different from any other orchid we have, and also they hold themselves at 

curious angles on the stem. The distinctive spur, with its swollen tip, is what 

gives this plant its common name. Plants of the nominate variety are found 

primarily in wooded swamps northward from Florida north to the lower 

Great Lakes region and southern 

Maritimes, especially in southwestern 

Nova Scotia. 

225 

forma wrightii


Gymnadeniopsis clavellata (Michaux) Rydberg var. ophioglossoides (Fernald) Schrenk 

northern club-spur orchis 

Range: Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to northern New England 

In the White Mountains region: locally common in open, wet areas at 

northern and higher elevations 


Leaves: 1; cauline, ovate, 1-2 cm wide × 3-5 cm long, an occasional slender 

bract also present on the stem. 

Flowers: 3-10; arranged in an short, dense, crowded terminal raceme; 

flowers usually twisted to one side; sepals ovate, petals linear, enclosed 

within the sepals forming a hood; lip oblong, the apex obscurely 3-lobed; 

perianth yellow-green to frosty-white; individual flower size 0.5 cm, not 

including the 0.5 cm spur, the small tip swollen (clavate) 

Habitat: exposed areas at northern or higher elevations; gravelly barrens, 

tundra, stream and lakeshores 

Flowering period: July to August 

This very distinctive variety of the more common club-spur orchis is often found in 

very large colonies in wet gravels, roadside ditches and mountain seeps throughout the 

northern portion of the Maritimes and Great lakes. The little plants, especially when in bud, 

resemble the adder‖s-tongue fern, Ophioglossum, in both the single leaf and short little crowed 

inflorescence. It is not unusual to find areas that are nearly paved with these little gems. 

226


ISOTRIA consists of only two species, both of which are found in the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. 

They are related to the genera Pogonia and, more distantly, Triphora, and early in its history was placed in the 

genus Pogonia. 

Isotria medeoloides (Pursh) Rafinesque 

small whorled pogonia 

FEDERALLY LISTED AS THREATENED 

Range: Michigan east to Maine, south to Missouri and South 

Carolina 

In the White Mountains region: very rare in Carroll County 

Plant: terrestrial, mature plants up to 15 cm tall, shorter (8-12 cm) 

in flower 

Leaves: 5 or 6; in a whorl at the top of the stem, up to 1 cm wide 

× 5 cm long 

Flowers: 1 or 2; sepals and petals greenish-yellow, wide 

spreading; lip white; individual flowers ca. 2-3 cm across 

Habitat: various wooded habitats; favoring beech, mixed pines, 

etc.; often near seasonal runoffs 

Flowering period: April-May, usually before the trees leaf out 

The small whorled pogonia 

was one of the first orchids to be 

listed by the federal government under 

the Endangered Species Act. Very rare, and 

known from only three stations at the extreme 

northern limit of its range. This is an excellent 

example of a species originally 

thought to be one of the very 

rarest in North America, and, 

with the advent of more 

people, both professional and 

amateur, searching and 

finding many new sites. 

227


LIPARIS is a cosmopolitan genus, of more than 200 species, that occurs in the widest variety of habitats 

throughout the world. All members of the genus are terrestrial or semi-epiphytic and have swollen bases to the 

leaves that form pseudobulb-like structures. These features are not unlike those of the genus Malaxis and are 

more evident and usually above ground, in the subtropical and tropical species, whereas in the temperate and 

more northerly species the structure is within the ground. 

Liparis loeselii (Linnaeus) Richard 

Loesel’s twayblade, fen orchis 

Range: British Columbia east to Nova Scotia and southwestern 

Newfoundland, south to Arkansas and Mississippi and in the southern 

Appalachian Mts.; Europe 

In the White Mountains region: rare and local 


Leaves: 2; basal, pale green, strongly keeled; oblanceolate, 2-3 cm wide 

× 4-6 cm long 

Flowers: 5-15; in a terminal raceme; sepals, petals, slender and threadlike; 

lip broadly ovate, watery-green; individual flower size 0.5-1.0 cm 

Habitat: damp gravels, bogs, ditches, seepages, shaded banks, and 

roadsides; often in calcareous soils 

Flowering period: early summer 

The fen orchis, Liparis loeselii, is one of the few species that the 

eastern United States shares with northern Europe. And as rare as it 

is in Europe, it can be common in portions of our region. Because of 

it‖s translucent coloring it is easily overlooked. Plants vary greatly in 

size and frequency. First found in the region (WMNF) in 2009. 

Note ground level pseudobulb 

Photo by Diane Allen 

228


LISTERA is comprised of 25 species that occur in the cooler climes of both the Northern and Southern 

Hemispheres. Eight species in the genus grow in the United States and Canada, one of which, L. ovata, is a very 

common species in Europe that has become naturalized in southern Ontario. Although plants of all species 

typically have two opposite leaves, many of these species also have variations with three or more leaves. Recent 

molecular work indicates that species in Listera would be better placed within the genus Neottia. 

Key to the lesser twayblades, Listera, found within the White Mountains region 

1a lip deeply cleft to more than half its length lip about twice as long as petals.....heart-leaved twayblade, 

Listera cordata 

1b lip shallowly cleft to less than half its length...2 

2a lip with parallel sides, auricled at base; lip entirely green with prominent auricles; plants of rocky river 

banks.....auricled twayblade, Listera auriculata 

2b lip tapered from summit to base, not auricled at base; plants of cool, mossy woods and 

streamsides......broad-lipped twayblade, Listera convallarioides 

Listera auriculata Wiegand 

auricled twayblade 

forma trifolia (Lepage) Lepage–3-leaved form 

Range: Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to Michigan and Maine 

In the White Mountains region: very rare; known from two sites in 

Coös County, NH 

Plant: terrestrial; 10 to 20 cm tall 

Leaves: 2; opposite, midway on the stem or, in the forma trifolia, 3 

in a whorl, green, ovate-oblong 3.0 cm wide × 3.5 cm long 

Flowers: 5-15; in a terminal raceme; sepals, petals watery green, 

narrowly spatulate, reflexed; lip oblong with distinctive auricles 

clasping the ovary at the base and narrowly notched at the apex, 

green; pedicles and ovary glabrous; individual flower size 0.6-1.0 cm 

Habitat: gravel bars, alder thickets, and rocky river shores 

Flowering period: July 

One of the rarest orchids in north-eastern North America, the auricled twayblade‖s 

distribution is limited to the northern Great 

Lakes region, Canadian Maritimes and northern 

New England. The diminutive plants prefer 

rocky gravels and riverbanks that are heavily 

scarred by winter ice. Because the plants of 

Listera auriculata are a consistent watery-green in 

color they are often overlooked, although with 

much larger leaves and individual flowers than L. 

cordata. Hybrids with 

L. convallarioides are 

known as L. ×veltmanii. 

229


Listera convallarioides (Swartz) Nuttall 

broad-lipped twayblade 

forma trifolia P.M. Brown–3-leaved form 

Range: southwestern Alaska; British Columbia east to 

Newfoundland, south to California and Wyoming, east to northern 

Michigan and Maine 

In the White Mountains region: local in cool mountain wetlands 

Plant: terrestrial; 10 to 30 cm tall 

Leaves: 2; opposite, midway on the stem or, in the forma 

trifolia, 3 in a whorl, green, ovate-oblong 1-3 cm wide × 2.0-6 cm 

long 

Flowers: 5-15; in a terminal raceme; sepals and petals waterygreen, 

reflexed ; lip pale yellow-green, oblong, broadening to a 

shallowly notched at the apex; pedicles and ovary pubescent; 

individual flower size 0.6-1.5 cm 

Habitat: damp to wet cold, mossy woodlands, thickets, and 

river shores 


The broad-lipped twayblade is the largest of the twayblades (Listera sp.) that we have in 

northeastern North America. The plants are almost always colonial and may form large 

patches usually in open damp woods, mossy glades, and on isolated little islets in flowing 

streams. When Listera auriculata is nearby the hybrid Listera ×veltmanii is almost always 

present. Listera convallarioides is often mistakenly called the broad-leaved twayblade when the 

correct common name is the broad-lipped twayblade referring to the decidedly broadened 

apex of the lip, unlike 

any other Listera in 

our region. 

These orchids required 

a rugged 

uphill climb over 

slipper rocks and 

boulders to reach 

their chosen niche on 

the steep sides of the 

mountain trail. The 

site was wet with 

streamlets and the 

little orchids hid 

easily amongst the 

grasses and water 

plants that were 

abundant in the 

area. 

230


Listera cordata (Linnaeus) R. Brown var. cordata 

heart-leaved twayblade 

forma viridens P.M. Brown–green-flowered form 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland and Greenland, 

south to California, and the Rocky Mts. in New Mexico; 

south to North Carolina in Appalachian Mts.; Eurasia 

In the White Mountains region: local and scattered 


Leaves: 2 or, in the forma trifolia, 3 in a whorl or, in the 

forma tetraphylla, 4 in a whorl; opposite, mid-way on the 

stem, or, in the forma disjuncta, with an additional leaf 

above; green, or forma variegata, with white variegations; 

ovate 2.0 cm wide × 3.5 cm long with a somewhat cordate 

base 

Flowers: 5-40; in a terminal raceme; sepals purple, ovate, 

reflexed; petals purple, narrowly spatulate, strongly 

recurved; lip purple, linear, split beyond the middle into 2 

slender filaments or, in the forma viridens, flowers entirely 

green; individual flower size 6-10 mm 

Habitat: damp, often dark, coniferous woodlands, trailsides, heaths, and sphagnum bogs 


The heart-leaved twayblade is the most frequently encountered twayblade throughout the 

northern portion of our region. It often grows in great numbers and the variability in both 

leaf placement and flower color is usually evident. Although individual plants may be easy to 

overlook, these large colonies, when struck by the sun, seem to dance in the woodland floor. 

The individual flowers, like all of those in the genus Listera, are all lip with the petals and 

sepals pulled back around the ovary, well out of the way. 

231


MALAXIS is a cosmopolitan one of about 300 species. Eleven species are found in the United States and Canada, 

4 of which occur in our region. All species have a pseudobulbous stem, which is more evident in the subtropical 

and tropical species. In the temperate species it appears more corm-like. The genus possesses some of the smallest 

flowers in the Orchidaceae, many not over a few millimeters in any dimension. 

Malaxis unifolia Michaux 

green adder’s-mouth 

forma bifolia (Mousley) Fernald–2-leaved form 

forma variegata Mousley–variegated-leaf form 

Range: Manitoba east to Newfoundland south to Texas and Florida; Mexico 

In the White Mountains region: very local to occasional but often 

overlooked 

Plant: terrestrial; 8-25+ cm tall, stem swollen at the base into a 

(pseudo)bulb 

Leaves: 1 or, in the forma bifolia, 2; ovate, keeled, to 6 cm wide × 9 

cm long, midway on the stem; green or, in the forma variegata, with 

white markings 

Flowers: 5-80+; arranged in a compact raceme, elongating as flowering 

progresses; sepals oblanceolate, green; petals linear and positioned behind 

the flower; lip green, broadly ovate to cordate, with extended auricles at the 

base and bidentate at the summit; individual flower size 2-4 mm 

Habitat: damp woodlands, moist open barrens, mossy glades, fens, and sphagnum 

bogs 

Flowering period: late June to August 

Often considered one of the most widespread and common orchids in eastern North America, 

Malaxis unifolia can be a real challenge to find. Plants vary greatly in size and the natural 

camouflage blends them in with many of the 

other surrounding vegetation. Only when 

growing in open mossy barrens do they 

really stand out. Large plants are not 

uncommon and they, like most members of 

the genus, bear up to 100 flowers and present 

them over a long period of time–up to two 

months. 

232 

forma variegata


The genus PLATANTHERA is comprised of about 40 North American and Eurasian species, primarily of 

temperate climes and is one of the major segregate genera traditionally placed by many botanists within 

Habenaria. It is the largest genus of orchids in the United States and Canada. It is also the largest genus in the 

region. Many of the species have large, colorful, showy flowers in tall spikes or racemes. There are several 

sections to the genus, but the showiest is the section Blephariglottis, the fringed orchises. There are two groups 

within this section: those species with an entire or unlobed lip and those with a 3-parted lip. At various times in 

taxonomic history members of Platanthera have been included in Habenaria and Piperia. 

Note: nearly all species of Platanthera can be found in both full sun and deeply shaded habitats. Plants in the sun 

tend to be shorter, have more densely-flowered inflorescences, and with the leaves more upright, whereas those 

growing in shaded areas tend to be taller, have elongated, loosely-flowered inflorescences with spreading leaves. 

The individual flower size remains the same, but the overall appearance of the plants can be markedly different; 

to the point that some observers initially think they have two different species! 

Key to the fringed, bog, and rein orchises, Platanthera, found within the White Mountain Mountains region 

1a margins of lips entire...2 

1b margins of lips fringed, lacerated, or erose...8 

2a leaves cauline (along the stem)...3 

2b leaves basal (at or close to the ground)...5 

3a flowers white.....white bog orchis; bog candles, Platanthera dilatata 

3b flowers green...4 

4a lip yellowish to yellowish green, rhombic-lanceolate.....northern green bog orchis, Platanthera 

aquilonis 

4b lip whitish green, lanceolate, usually obscurely rounded or slightly dilated at base.....green bog orchis, 

Platanthera huronensis 

Note: P. aquilonis and P. huronensis are an endless source of confusion for many orchid enthusiasts. 

Until both are clearly seen in the field it can be difficult. Carefully examine each potential plant, 

meticulously comparing the criteria. 

5a leaf 1; at base of stem.....blunt-leafed rein orchis, Platanthera obtusata 

5b leaves 2; ovate and pad-like lying close to the ground...6 

6a dorsal sepal and lip arching forward appearing like ice tongs.....Hooker’s orchis, Platanthera hookeri 

6b lips descending...7 

7a spur less than 28 mm long.....pad-leaved orchis, Platanthera orbiculata 

7b spur greater than 28 mm long.....Goldie’s pad-leaved orchis, Platanthera macrophylla 

Note: see drawings at species account for shape and position of petals 

8a lip deeply lacerate; flowers greenish white to creamy green.....green fringed orchis, Platanthera lacera 

8b flowers purple...9 

9a lip margin fringed more than 1/3 the length; spur orifice circular.....large purple fringed orchis, 

Platanthera grandiflora 

9b lip margin distinctly fringed but to less than 1/3 the length, spur orifice a transverse dumbbell.....small 

purple fringed orchis, Platanthera psycodes 

See notes on the lacera/psycodes/grandiflora complex. 

233


Platanthera aquilonis Sheviak 

northern green bog orchis 

forma alba (Light) P.M. Brown – albino form 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to California, 

New Mexico, and Iowa, east to Massachusetts 

In the White Mountains region: rare to local; more 

frequent northward 

Plant: terrestrial, 5 to 60 cm tall 

Leaves: 2-4; cauline, linear-lanceolate, gradually reduced to 

bracts; 1-4 cm wide × 3-20 cm long 

Flowers: 20-45; arranged in a loose to dense terminal spike; 

dorsal sepal obovate, aching; lateral sepals linear-oblong, 

spreading to recurved, petals rhombic-linear, somewhat 

enclosed within the dorsal sepal forming a hood; lip rhombiclanceolate 

to lanceolate, descending, projecting or the apex 

caught within the tip of the dorsal sepal and petals; flowers 

yellow-green to whitish-green in cooler climes; lip usually a 

dull yellow-green; individual flower size 0.8 x 1.3 cm, not 

including the 0.2-0.5 cm clavate to somewhat cylindric spur. 

Habitat: open wet meadows, roadside ditches and seeps, fens, 

bogs and river gravels, occasionally in woodlands 


Plants formerly identified as Platanthera hyperborea in much of 

North America have been described as a new species, P. 

aquilonis Sheviak in 1999. True P. hyperborea is known in 

North America only from Greenland, and all plants 

previously correctly assigned to that species are P. aquilonis. 

We only have 2 green-flowered species, P. aquilonis and P. 

huronensis, and the white-flowered P. dilatata. For many years 

both green-flowered species were simply referred to as P. hyperborea and usually in two 

varieties–var. hyperborea and var. huronensis. Unfortunately too many people, and authors 

alike, placed the smaller, slender, ―poorly flowered‖ plants into P. hyperborea and the robust, 

lush-flowered plants into P. huronensis. This being incorrect only compounded the problem. 

Sheviak‖s description of P. aquilonis greatly helped in solving this problem and recent work 

by Wallace (2002, 2003, 2004) validates both the origins and identifications of the three 

species. In a more simplistic form P. aquilonis may be differentiated from P. huronensis by the 

color and shape of the lip, position of the pollinia, and overall aspect of the plant. Range and 

habitat are also helpful but should not be relied upon too heavily. Plants of open sunny 

habitats differ markedly in habit from those of woodland habitats. 

234


open sun habit woodland shade habit 

235


Platanthera dilatata (Pursh) Lindley 

tall white northern bog orchis 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to California and New Mexico; 

Minnesota south to Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New England 

In the White Mountains region: widespread throughout the region with few 

large colonies 

Plant: terrestrial, 25 to over 100 cm tall 

Leaves: 4-12; cauline, passing into bracts on the stem, lanceolate 4-7 cm wide 

× 15-30 cm long 

Flowers: 20-100+; arranged in a dense terminal spike; dorsal sepal ovate, 

lateral sepals linear; petals linear-falcate, enclosed within the sepals forming a 

hood; lip linear-lanceolate, dilated at the base; perianth pure white; individual 

flower size 1.75-2.0 cm, not including the cylindric spur which is about equal 

to the length of the lip 

Habitat: open wet meadows, roadside ditches and seeps, fens, and bogs 


Platanthera dilatata is the showiest of the slender bog or rein orchids. Its tall 

white, fragrant spikes may occur in great numbers throughout the range of 

the species. Size is variable and smaller plants often only have a few flowers. 

Mixed colonies of P. dilatata, P. huronensis and/or P. aquilonis are not 

uncommon. Platanthera dilatata is by far the more frequently seen of the 

three. Hybridization among these species is minimal today because of the 

evolution of self-pollinating breeding systems in the green-flowered species. 

Plants known as P. ×media where once thought to represent frequent 

hybrids between P. dilatata and P. (hyperborea) aquilonis, and although that 

is technically correct, they actually represent plants of P. huronensis. 

236


237


Platanthera grandiflora (Bigelow) Lindley 

large purple fringed orchis 

forma albiflora (Rand & Redfield) Catling–white-flowered form 

Range: Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to West Virginia and New 

Jersey; south in the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia 

In the White Mountains region: locally common 

Plant: terrestrial, to 250-100+ cm tall 

Leaves: 2-6; cauline, lanceolate, keeled 1.5-7.0 cm wide 

× 8-24 cm long 

Flowers: 30-65; arranged in a loose-to-dense terminal 

raceme usually 3-5 cm in diameter with all flowers 

open simultaneously; sepals ovate, petals spatulate with 

dentate margins; lip three-parted with a coarsely 

fringed margin usually to more than 1/3 the depth of 

the lip, or in the forma mentotonsa the margin essentially entire; 

perianth various shades of purple from pale lavender to deep, rich 

magenta or, in the forma albiflora, white; or in the forma bicolor, 

purple and white; or, in the forma carnea, a delicate fresh pink; 

individual flower size 3 cm, not including the 2.5 cm spur; spur 

orifice rounded 

Habitat: open wet meadows, roadside ditches and seeps, mountain 

meadows 

Flowering period: late June-early August 

The large purple fringed orchis is widespread throughout much of 

central and northeastern North America. This tall (to 1 meter), stately species is often a 

feature of the summer open woodlands and, northward, damp meadows and roadsides. It 

usually occurs in small numbers, often only a single plant, but every once in a while large 

stands of over 100 plants can be found. Although similar in overall appearance to the small 

purple fringed orchis, P. psycodes, several points will aid in identification. Be sure to carefully 

note the shape of the orifice, depth of the fringing, and overall shape of the inflorescence. 

Hybrids with P. lacera are known as P. ×keenanii and with P. psycodes as P. ×enigma. 

White forms are not easy to come 

by but on Bog Dam Road there 

were two examples of white forms 

of the large purple fringed 

orchids. It took a second visit to 

see them at prime as they were 

only budded when first 

encountered. 

238


239 

forma albiflora


Platanthera hookeri (Torrey) Lindley 

Hooker’s orchis 

Range: Minnesota east to Newfoundland, south to Iowa and 

New Jersey 

In the White Mountains region: rare and local 

Plant: terrestrial, 10-50 cm tall, the inflorescence occupying 

nearly half the height; bracts absent from stem 

Leaves: 2; basal, oblong-ovate up to 12 cm wide × 15 cm long 

or, in the forma oblongifolia, 5 cm wide x 12 cm long; light green 

above and pale beneath 

Flowers: 5-25; arranged in a loose terminal raceme; dorsal sepal 

concave, ovate and tapering to a point; lateral sepals lanceolate 

and strongly reflexed; petals linear-lanceolate, tapering, 

falcate, projecting forward; lip long-triangular curving 

upward at the tip; the overall appearance that of ice 

tongs; perianth lime-green; flower size ca. 2 x 3 cm 

not including the slender 1.5-2.5 cm spur; plants of 

the forma abbreviata smaller and more crowded in all 

aspects with the color nearly yellow-bronze 

Habitat: rich deciduous and mixed woodlands 


No native orchid is so curious in its appearance as the flowers of those of Platanthera hookeri. 

Striking some as looking like gargoyles or ice tongs, the lower lip 

curls upward and the dorsal sepal 

projects forward while the petals 

spread wing-like to give this 

appearance. Plants found in 

woodlands often occur in colonies 

and although the plants are 

monochromatic–a decided shade 

of chartreuse–they usual grow 

where there is little competing 

ground cover. Hooker’s orchis is 

one of three species of Platanthera 

that produces a pair of oval to 

round, basal leaves. The other 

two, P. orbiculata and P. 

macrophylla, are both larger in 

overall dimensions, have much 

rounder leaves, and flower later 

than P. hookeri. 

240


Platanthera huronensis (Nuttall) Lindley 

green bog orchis 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to California and 

Pennsylvania 

In the White Mountains region: scattered to occasional throughout; 

more frequent northward 

Plant: terrestrial, 10-100+ cm tall 

Leaves: 2-4; cauline, linear-lanceolate, gradually reduced to bracts; 1-6 

cm wide × 5-30 cm long 

Flowers: (8)20-75+; arranged in a loose to dense terminal spike; 

dorsal sepal obovate, arching; lateral sepals linear-oblong, spreading to 

recurved, petals ovate to lance-falcate, somewhat enclosed within the 

dorsal sepal forming a hood; lip lanceolate, descending, or the apex 

caught within the tip of the dorsal sepal and petals; sepals whitishgreen, 

petals and lip pale greenish-white but markedly whiter than 

the sepals; individual flower size 0.8 x 1.3 cm, not including the 

0.4-1.2 cm somewhat cylindric spur; flowers are 

autogamous, with the downward-pointing pollinia 

remaining in the anther sacs. 

Habitat: open wet meadows, roadside ditches and seeps, 

fens, bogs, and river gravels 


Platanthera huronensis is the most widespread and frequently 

encountered of all of the green-flowered rein orchises in northeastern North America. The 

tall spikes are frequently found in a wide variety of habitats and like many species of 

Platanthera, their habit varies with the habitat. Plants of open wet areas have densely flowered 

tall spikes with 

many flowers 

whereas those of 

woodlands often 

have few-flowered, 

slender spikes. The 

flowers are usually 

intensely fragrant. 

Sheviak (2002) 

states that although 

hybrids with P. 

dilatata may occur 

the name traditionally 

used for them, 

P. ×media, is 

actually a synonym 

for P. huronensis. 

241


242


Platanthera lacera (Michaux) G. Don 

green fringed orchis, ragged orchis 

Range: Manitoba east to Newfoundland, south to Texas and Georgia 

In the White Mountains region: scattered to occasional on roadsides 

and old fields 


Leaves: 3-6; cauline, lanceolate, keeled, 2.5-5.0 cm wide × 8-24 cm 

long, passing into bracts 

Flowers: 12-40+, highly variable; arranged in a loose-to-dense 

terminal raceme; sepals obovate, the petals oblong, upright, 

usually with entire margins; lip three-parted and deeply lacerate; 

perianth various of green to nearly yellow or white; individual 

flower size ca. 1.5-3.0 cm, not including the 1.6-2.3 cm spur, the 

orifice nearly square 

Habitat: open wet meadows, roadside ditches and seeps, 

mountain meadows 

Flowering period: late June-early August 

The least conspicuous of the fringed orchises, Platanthera lacera is 

scattered throughout the region. It can be found throughout the 

summer in damp meadows, open wet woods, and roadside ditches. 

Flower color is highly variable in many shades of green and some 

plants are nearly white. In many places P. lacera is found growing 

with either or both P. grandiflora and P. psycodes. Those plants 

whose flowers show a wash of lavender may represent hybrids with 

either P. psycodes (P. ×andrewsii) or P. grandiflora (P. ×keenanii). 

The hillsides along highways can be frustrating when you are 

trying to sight orchids especially if the road is busy. Catching a glimpse of a 

possible orchid requires adroit maneuvering to pull over and park to explore. The first 

sighting of ragged fringed occurred this way. The yield however was mind boggling once 

the area was explored. 

243


Platanthera macrophylla (Goldie) P.M. Brown 

Goldie’s pad-leaved orchis 

Range: Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to Michigan and 

Pennsylvania 

In the White Mountains region: rare to local 

Plant: terrestrial, 25-85 cm tall, the inflorescence occupying the 

upper third of the height; slender bracts present on the stem 

Leaves: 2; basal, lying on the ground, ovate up to 7-18 cm wide × 

8-24 cm long; dark green above and pale beneath 

Flowers: 9-23; arranged in a loose terminal raceme; dorsal sepal 

broadly ovate taping to a point and concave; lateral sepals 

ovate-falcate and strongly reflexed; petals linearlanceolate, 

tapering, falcate, erect and arching 

outward; lip linear-oblong, 1.0-2.3 cm long, 

descending or rarely recurved; sepals greenish-white; 

petals and lip whiter; flower size ca. 3 x 5 cm not 

including the slenderly clavate 2.8-4.6 cm spur 

Habitat: rich deciduous and mixed woodlands 

Flowering period: July to mid August 

For many years Platanthera macrophylla was considered a variety of P. orbiculata, although it 

was originally described as a full species. This giant of the northeastern woodlands is one of 

the most spectacular of all our native orchids. From the near dinner-plate size leaves to the 

elephantine flowers it cannot help but take ones breath away. Populations can vary from 

single individuals to several hundred plants. As in 

several other species of Platanthera with the 

common names large, small, big, etc. the overall 

size of the plant is not what matters. In this case, 

although plants of P. macrophylla are usually larger 

than those of P. orbiculata, it is the length of the 

spur that is the critical measurement. Also the 

position and shape of 

the petals is diagnostic. 

In one of the very best 

papers written on 

species pairs, Reddoch 

& Reddoch (1993) 

clearly explain the 

differences and similarities. 

244


245


Platanthera obtusata (Banks ex Pursh) Lindley 

blunt-leaved rein orchis 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to Colorado, upper 

Great Lakes region and east to western Massachusetts 

In the White Mountains region: very rare despite many historical 

references 


Leaves: 1; basal or, in the forma foliosa, multiple decreasing in size 

upward; linear oblanceolate and up to 0.9-5.5 cm wide × 4-15 cm 

long, blunt at the apex and tapering to the base; green 

Flowers: 9-15; arranged in a loose terminal raceme or, in the forma 

collectanea, fewer flowered in a short, dense raceme; dorsal sepal 

broadly ovate taping to a blunt apex; lateral sepals ovate-falcate and 

strongly reflexed; petals linear-lanceolate, with a dilated base, erect 

and arching outward in a horn-like manner; lip linear, broadened at 

the base, 3-6 mm long, descending; perianth green to greenishwhite; 

flower size ca. 1 x 1 cm not including the 0.3-1.0 cm long 

acuminate spur 

Habitat: mixed woodlands, usually in conifers, or in the forma 

collectanea, open headlands, river gravels, tundra, and heaths 


This highly variable circumpolar species is rare in the southern 

limit of its range. The moss and lichen-covered coniferous 

246 

woodlands that also support heartleaved 

twayblades, Listera cordata, 

lesser rattlesnake orchis, Goodyera 

repens, and a variety of other 

orchids usually are home to the 

blunt-leafed orchis. 

Photo by Diane Allen


Platanthera orbiculata (Pursh) Lindley 

pad-leaved orchis 

Range: southeastern Alaska, British Columbia east to Newfoundland, 

south to Washington and Maryland, south in the Appalachian Mts. to 

North Carolina 

In the White Mountains region: rare to local, but often occurring large 

colonies 

Plants: 12-75 cm tall; stem bracts present 

Leaves: 2, basal, lying on the ground, or, in the forma trifolia, 3, the third 

leaf on the stem; ovate up to (4)10-20 cm wide × (5)12-22 cm long or, in the 

forma longifolia, oblong to nearly linear; dark green above and pale beneath 

Flowers: 8-14, or in the forma pauciflora, 3-5 on shorter plants; arranged in 

a loose terminal raceme; dorsal sepal broadly ovate tapering to a point and 

concave; lateral sepals ovate-falcate and strongly reflexed; petals linearlanceolate, 

tapering, falcate, erect; lip linear-oblong, descending or rarely 

recurved; sepals greenish-white; petals and lip whiter; flower size ca. 3 x 5 

cm not including the slender 1.4-1.7 cm spur 

Habitat: mixed woodlands 

Flowering period: July to early August 

Platanthera orbiculata and P. macrophylla presented, until 

recently, one of the most misunderstood species pairs in North 

American orchids. The work of Allan and Joyce Reddoch (1993) clearly revalidated P. 

macrophylla as a full species and helped to delineate the bounds of P. orbiculata. As mentioned 

previously size does not matter except in the length of the spur. Spurs of P. orbiculata are 1.4- 

2.7 cm long, the lesser measurement usually found in plants of forma lehorsii and forma 

pauciflora. Mixed colonies of the two species are not uncommon. The large, round leaves are 

always distinctive, but in areas 

where the two species overlap 

plants without flowers (or, in 

some situations, with withered 

flowers and fruit) present, 

identification cannot be certain. 

247


Platanthera psycodes (Linnaeus) Lindley 

small purple fringed orchis 

forma albiflora (R. Hoffman) Whiting & Catling–white-flowered form 

forma rosea P.M. Brown–pink-flowered form 

Range: Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to West Virginia and New 

Jersey; south in the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia 

In the White Mountains region: locally scattered 

Plant: terrestrial, to 90 cm tall 

Leaves: 2-6; cauline, lanceolate, keeled 1.5-7.0 cm wide × 8-24 cm long 

Flowers: 30-125; arranged in a loose-to-dense terminal raceme usually 

2.5-3 cm in diameter with flowers open successively, i.e. the lower 

ones usually withering before the upper ones have opened, giving 

the inflorescence a conical appearance or, in the forma fernaldii, the 

raceme more compact and few- flowered; sepals elliptic, petals 

obovate with finely dentate margins; lip three-parted with a finely 

fringed margin usually to less than 1/3 the depth of the lip, or in the 

forma varians the margin essentially entire; perianth various shades of 

purple from pale lavender to deep, rich rosy-magenta; or, in the forma 

albiflora, white; or, in the forma rosea, a pale pink; individual flower size 0.5- 

1.5 cm, not including the 1.2-1.8 cm spur, or in the forma ecalcarata, the spur 

lacking; spur orifice likened to a transverse dumbbell 

Habitat: open wet meadows, roadside ditches and seeps, mountain meadows or 

river gravels 

Flowering period: late June- August 

The common names large and small purple fringed 

orchis are very misleading as the small purple 

fringed orchis can often be ―larger‖ than the large. It 

is usually both taller and more floriferous than P. 

grandiflora, although the individual flowers are 

smaller. The small purple fringed orchis is also 

widespread throughout much of central and 

northeastern North America. This often-tall, slender 

species is at home in open meadows as well as 

wooded streamsides. It frequently occurs in small 

numbers, but is rarely found as a single plant. For 

comparisons to the large purple fringed orchis, P. 

grandiflora see details at that entry. Hybrids with P. 

lacera are known as P. ×andrewsii and with P. 

grandiflora as P. ×enigma. 

A trail that offered access to a rushing cataract 

yield purple fringes and Epipactis as well as earlier 

blooming lady's-slippers. Hidden depressions caused 

a stumble and could have been very bad if the 

hiker was alone and could have broken something. 

248


249


Riding along the highway near the Mt. 

Washington Hotel having the advantage of 

the passenger seat and a better view of the 

steep hillsides one could easily see the purple 

fringes that were not visible from the driver's 

seat. Stopping the car and getting out to 

inspect the area yielded more purples and 

the ragged fringed and their hybrids as well. 

The opposite was true when the driver 

sighted a hillside of Epipactis blooming 

across the road that the passenger missed. It 

didn't help that the hillside was in bright 

sun, the grass had grow tall and turned rich 

yellow and the flowering orchids were yellow 

flowered as well. 

Hybrids: 

Platanthera ×andrewsii (Niles) Luer top right 

Andrews’ hybrid fringed orchis 

(P. lacera × P. psycodes) 

Not at all uncommon throughout most of the 

range of the two parents. 

Platanthera 

×keenanii 

P.M. Brown 

Keenan’s 

hybrid 

fringed orchis 

(P. grandiflora × P. lacera) 

Uncommon and usually seen as individuals 

left and above 

250


Platanthera ×enigma P.M. Brown 

Enigmatic hybrid fringed orchis 

(P. grandiflora × P. psycodes) 

Local where both parents occur but easily overlooked 

251


POGONIA is a small genus of only 3 species, and is found in both Asia and North 

America. Formerly the genus included those species, among others, that are now treated 

in Triphora, Isotria, and Cleistesiopsis, although some current authors are again including 

Isotria and Cleistesiopsis. 

Pogonia ophioglossoides Ker-Gawler 

rose pogonia; snakemouth orchid 

forma albiflora Rand & Redfield–white-flowered form 

Range: Manitoba east to Newfoundland, south to Texas and Florida 

In the White Mountains region: very rare 


Leaves: 1, rarely 2; cauline, ovate, placed midway on the stem, 6-10 × 2 cm 

Flowers: 1-3 (4) terminal; subtended by a foliaceous bract; sepals and petals 

similar, lanceolate to obovate; the sepals wide spreading; lip spatulate with a 

deeply fringed margin and bright yellow beard or, in the forma brachypogon the 

beard reduced to a few knobs, to 2 cm; perianth from light to dark, rosy-pink or 

lavender or, in the forma albiflora, pure white; individual flower size ca. 4 cm 

Habitat: moist meadows, open bogs and heaths, roadside ditches, and sphagnous 

seeps 

Flowering period: late June to early August 

From Newfoundland to Florida and westward to the Mississippi Valley, this 

little jewel adorns open bogs and meadows, roadside ditches, borrow pits, and sphagnous 

seeps. Color and form varies greatly from colony to colony. It is not unusual to find plants 

with the petals and sepals 

very narrow and, within 

the same colony, 

individuals with the 

sepals and petals broad 

and rounded. Plants with 

coloring from pale lilac to 

intense magenta occasionally 

have white-flowered, 

forma albiflora, plants 

growing among them. 

252


SPIRANTHES is a cosmopolitan genus of about 50 species. Treated in the strictest sense it is one of the most easily 

recognized genera, but has some of the more difficult plants to identify to species. The relatively slender, often 

twisted, stems and spikes of small white or creamy-yellow (or pink in S. sinensis) flowers are universally 

recognizable. 

Key to the ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes, found within the White Mountains region. 

1a plants mid-summer flowering; leaves present at flowering time; inflorescence loosely arranged; flower 

flowers spaced out, northerly in distribution.....northern slender ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes lacera var. 

lacera 

1b plants late summer-autumn flowering...2 

2a plants of open shales and grasslands; flowers, ca. 5 mm long, usually arranged in a single rank.....Case’s 

ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes casei 

2b flowers larger, 8 mm or more in length...3 

3a lip constricted in the middle, panduriform.....hooded ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana 

3b lip not constricted in the middle...4 

4a entire flower white and/or cream; lateral sepals and petals appressed.....nodding ladies’-tresses, 

Spiranthes cernua 

4b flower creamy-white; lateral sepals and petals approximate or divergent; lower surface of lip 

butterscotch colored.....yellow ladies’-tresses, Spiranthes ochroleuca 

Spiranthes casei Catling & Cruise var. casei 

Case’s ladies’-tresses 

Range: Ontario east to Nova Scotia, south to Wisconsin, northern 

Pennsylvania and western Maine 

In the White Mountains region: rare and local in the northern areas 

Plants: terrestrial, 8-50 cm tall, sparsely pubescent below, inflorescence densely 

pubescent 

Leaves: 3-5; appearing basal or on the lower portion of the stem; linearoblanceolate, 

up to 2 cm wide × 20 cm long; ascending to spreading; leaves 

present at anthesis 

Flowers: 10-50; in a spike, loosely spiraled with 5 or more flowers per cycle, 

nodding from the base of the perianth; floral bracts green; sepals lanceolate; 

lateral sepals slightly spreading; petals ovate to oblanceolate; perianth ivory 

or greenish-white; lip oblong, 5.0-7.5 mm, the central portion often a 

deeper creamy yellow, with thin, fringed margins, the apex truncate; 

overall flower size 5 (6-9) mm long 

Habitat: dry open sites usually on the Canadian Shield in shaley soils, 

road scrapes, or thin-soil grasslands 

Flowering period: late August to September 

Although plants had been known for many years, it was only in 1974 that 

they were described as a species. Formerly these plants were often known 

as the ―northern (Spiranthes) vernalis’, a species that grows considerably 

further to the south. For a short time plants of S. casei were also known as S. 

intermedia, again a totally different plant that is actually a hybrid between S. 

vernalis and S. lacera var. gracilis and does not range northward. Plants of S. casei, as 

253


so do most other species of Spiranthes, vary greatly in size, vigor, and number of flowers. The 

small, nodding, partially open flowers in a single rank make them reasonably easy to spot and 

if growing among other species of Spiranthes they are very distinctive. The only possible 

confusion would be S. ×borealis, the hybrid between S. casei and S. ochroleuca. This hybrid is 

frequent in northern New England were the two parents frequently grow together. 

254


Spiranthes cernua (Linnaeus) L.C. Richard 

nodding ladies’-tresses 

Range: South Dakota east to Nova Scotia, south to Texas and 

Florida 

In the White Mountains region: locally common 


Leaves: 3-5; appearing basal or on the lower portion of the 

stem; linear-oblanceolate, up to 2 cm wide × 26 cm long; 

ascending to spreading; leaves are usually present at anthesis 

in most races 

Flowers: 10-50; in a spike, tightly to loosely spiraled with 5 

or more flowers per cycle, nodding from the base of the 

perianth or rarely ascending; bracts with a white or light 

green central stripe; sepals and petals similar, lanceolate; 

perianth white, ivory; lip oblong, broad at the apex, the 

central portion of the lip, in some races, creamy-yellow or 

green; the sepals approximate and extending forward 

sometimes arching above the flower; individual flower size 

0.6-10.5 mm 

Habitat: wet to dryish open sites, lightly wooded areas, moist 

grassy roadsides, etc. 

Flowering period: late August to October 

Of all of our native orchids in North America, Spiranthes 

cernua is the most difficult for which to give a simple, concise 

description and narrative. Because it is a compilospecies–one 

that has gene flow from several different similar species– 

plants in different geographic areas have strong resemblances 

to the basic diploid species contributing that unidirectional 

gene flow. In northeastern North America we are somewhat 

fortunate that the only basic diploid Spiranthes that contributes gene flow at this time is S. 

ochroleuca. The so called ―Quebec race‖ shows possible gene flow from S. casei, but that 

remains to be proven. That is not to say that identification of S. cernua plants is always easy— 

quite to the contrary. Because the plants are apomictic—not fertilized in the traditional sexual 

manner, but producing seed (actually minute plantlets) directly without fertilization–local 

races occur that are quite distinctive. 

255


typical S. cernua large-, square-flowered race ―Quebec race‖ showing some 

possible characters of S. casei 

256


Spiranthes lacera Rafinesque var. lacera 

northern slender ladies’-tresses 

Range: Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to Missouri and 

Virginia 

In the White Mountains region: local 

Plant: terrestrial, 15-65 cm tall; pubescent 

Leaves: 2-4; ovate, dark green, 1-2 cm wide × 2-5 cm long, usually 

present at flowering time 

Flowers: 10-35; in a single rank, in a dense spiral; sepals and petals 

similar, elliptic; perianth white; lip oblong, with the apex 

rounded; central portion green with a clearly defined crisp apron; 

the lower flowers spaced out from those above; individual flower 

size 4.0-7.5 mm 

Habitat: dry to moist meadows, grassy roadsides, cemeteries, 

open sandy areas in woodlands, lawns, old fields 

Flowering period: July to late August 

The differences between this variety and the more southerly var. 

gracilis are not great, but the more northern of the two has the 

lower flowers well spaced out on the inflorescence and they 

appear to be much smaller because of the position of the sepals. 

257


Spiranthes ochroleuca (Rydberg) Rydberg 

yellow ladies’-tresses 

Range: Michigan east to Nova Scotia, south to Kentucky 

and South Carolina 

In the White Mountains region: occasional to local 


Leaves: 3-5; appearing basal or on the lower portion of the 

stem; linear-lanceolate, up to 2 cm wide × 21 cm long; 

ascending to spreading; the leaves are present at anthesis 

Flowers: 10-50; in a spike, tight-to-loosely spiraled with 3- 

4(5) flowers per cycle, ascending; sepals and petals similar, 

lanceolate; lateral sepals appressed to petals and lip, straight; 

perianth white to cream-colored; lip oblong to ovate, the 

central portion of the lip a deeper creamy yellow or 

butterscotch color, individual flower size 0.7-1.2 cm 

Habitat: dry to somewhat moist open sites, ledges, barrens, 

slightly wooded areas, grassy roadsides 

Flowering period: late August to September 

Typically, Spiranthes ochroleuca has a distinct butterscotchcolored 

trough in the center of the lip, something that is 

very visible if one looks at the bottom side of the lip. 

Perhaps the very best areas to look for the yellow ladies’tresses 

are roadside scrapes and borrow pits. The plants 

often colonize such areas. They usually occupy the drier 

portions and the nodding ladies’-tresses, S. cernua, often is 

found in the wetter areas. Such combinations are very 

helpful in comparing the species. Hybrids with S. casei are 

known as S. 

×borealis. 

258


Spiranthes romanzoffiana Chamisso 

hooded ladies’-tresses 

Range: Alaska east to Newfoundland; south to California, northern New 

Mexico, Indiana, Pennsylvania; Northern Ireland, Great Britain 

In the White Mountains region: apparently quite rare despite many old 

records 


Leaves: 3-6; basal and extending up the lower ¼ of the stem linearlanceolate, 

up to 1.5 cm wide × 25 cm long, passing into a few slender 

bracts; present at flowering time 

Flowers: 10-60; in a dense spiral; nearly horizontal to ascending; sepals 

and petals similar, creamy white to greenish-white to creamy-yellow, 

lanceolate, acuminate; lateral sepals appressed to the petals and lip 

forming an ascending hood; the lip oblong, panduriform, the 

broadened margin recurved and finely lacerate; individual flower size 

0.9-1.2 cm 

Habitat: rocky riverbanks, seeps, fens; usually calcareous 

Flowering period: mid July to August 

Spiranthes romanzoffiana is the most widespread Spiranthes to be found in 

northern North America. Starting to flower in midsummer in the far 

north it continues flowering until late August further south. The almondscented 

flowers and arching hood are distinctive among our eastern 

Spiranthes 

and could 

not possibly be mistaken for 

any other species. In a few 

areas it may hybridize with 

Spiranthes lacera var. lacera 

to produce Spiranthes 

259 

×simpsonii. 

Climbing down a 

mountainside after a 

breathtaking ride in a tbar 

up the 

mountain 

might be 

foolish. Of 

course 

finding a 

new site 

for the 

Spiranthes 

made it 

worth it.


Hybrids: 

Spiranthes ×borealis P.M. Brown 

northern hybrid ladies’-tresses 

(S. casei var. casei × S. ochroleuca) 

Known primarily from northern New England there are few 

places where both parents are found within the range of this 

work. It appears as a small flowered S. ochroleuca or a largeflowered 

S. casei and may be either single or multiple ranked. 

Spiranthes ×simpsonii Catling & Sheviak 

Simpson’s hybrid ladies’-tresses 

(S. lacera var. lacera × S. romanzoffiana) 

Although the two parents often grow in 

proximity the hybrid is known from only a few 

collections and perhaps has been overlooked in 

the past. 

260


TRIPHORA consists of about 20 species in North America, the West 

Indies, Mexico, and Central America, and is a genus of small, delicate 

herbs, many of which may be largely mycotrophic. They all arise from 

swollen tuberoids and produce, in some, very colorful, although small, 

flowers. Several species have flowers that do not fully open. 

Triphora trianthophoros (Swartz) Rydberg 

three birds orchid 

forma albidoflava Keenan–white-flowered form 

Range: Texas north to Minnesota east to Maine south to 

Florida 

In the White Mountains region: locally abundant at the 

northern limit of its range in Carroll County, NH 


Leaves: 2-8; broadly ovate-cordate, with smooth margins, dark 

green often with a purple cast; 10-15 × 2-15 mm 

Flowers: 1-8 (12), nodding; from the axils of the upper leaves; sepals 

and petals similar, oblanceolate; perianth white to pink; lip 3-lobed, 

the central lobe with the margin sinuate and 3 parallel green crests 

or, in the forma albidoflava, the perianth pure white and the crests 

yellow; individual flower size ca. 1-2 cm 

Habitat: deciduous and mixed woodlands, usually with American 

beech and Canadian hemlock 

Flowering period: late July-mid September 

Three birds orchid is the largest-flowered and showiest of the 

genus Triphora. The plants are quite elusive and only appear for a 

few days most years. The stunning little flowers open in midmorning 

and usually close by mid-afternoon, leaving only a few 

hours for the eager eye to observe them. Colonies are not at all 

consistent in the flowering habits from year to year and it often 

takes a great deal of 

persistence on the part 

of the observer to 

catch them in prime 

condition. 

forma albidoflava 

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: 

This project would not have been nearly so fruitful without the help of the following botanists and native orchid 

enthusiasts: Chris Mattrick, Cathy Starke (WMNF); Frankie Brackley, Shirley Curtis, Sally Puth, the late Phil 

Keenan, Mike Cline & Stephen Thomas (TMCC), Jean Stefanik, Diane Allen & Paul Hines, Chuck Sheviak, and 

several anonymous persons whose information and directions traveled down the pipeline ending up with us. 

Diane Hines, Jim Fowler, Tom Nelson, and Stan Folsom all assisted with proofreading and made helpful 

comments 

LITERATURE CITED AND SUGGESTED READING: 

Ames, O. 1906. Habenaria orbiculata and Habenaria macrophylla. Rhodora 8: 1-5. 

Baldwin, H. 1884. The Orchids of New England. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 

Brackley, F.E. 1985. The Orchids of New Hampshire. Rhodora 87(849):1-117. 

Brown, P.M. 1988. Stalking the wild orchids. Wild Flower Notes 3(1): 4-29. 

_____. 1993. A Field and Study Guide to the Orchids of New England and New York. Jamaica Plain, Mass.: Orchis 

Press. 

_____. 1997. Taxonomy and distribution of Spiranthes casei Catling & Cruise in northern New England. Master‖s 

Thesis. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. 

_____. 2002. Resurrection of the genus Gymnadeniopsis Rydberg. North American Native Orchid Journal 8:32-40. 

_____. 2007. The taxonomy and Distribution of Spiranthes casei in Northern New England with references to 

extant sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia. North American Native Orchid Journal 14(3): 

212-233. 

_____. 2008. A Long-Known, but Enigmatic, Platanthera Hybrid from Eastern North America. North American 

Native Orchid Journal 14(4): 254-61. 

Brown, P.M. and S.N. Folsom. 1997. Wild Orchids of the Northeastern United States. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell 

University Press. 

_____. 2007. Wild Orchids of the Northeast. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. 

Cameron, J.W. 1976. The Orchids of Maine. Orono: University of Maine at Orono. 

Campbell, C.S. and L.M. Eastman. 1980. Flora of Oxford County, Maine. Life Sciences and Agricultural 

Experiment Station, University of Maine, Technical Bulletin 99: 1-244. Orono, Maine. 

Catling, P.M. 1976. On the geographical distribution, ecology and distinctive features of Listera ×veltmanii Case. 

Rhodora 78(814): 261-269. 

_____. 1978. Taxonomic notes on Spiranthes casei Catling & Cruise and S. xintermedia Ames. Rhodora 80: 377-89. 

Catling P.M. and V. Catling. 1994. Identification of Platanthera lacera hybrids from New Brunswick and Nova 

Scotia. Lindleyana 9: 19-32. 

Catling, P.M. and J.E. Cruise. 1974. Spiranthes casei, a new species from northeastern North America. Rhodora 

76(808): 526-536. 

Catling, P.M. and C.J. Sheviak. 1993. Taxonomic notes on some North American orchids. Lindleyana 8(2): 80- 

81. 

Chapman, W.K. 1997. Orchids of the Northeast. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press. 

Cutter, Jr., V.M. ca. 1940. New Hampshire Orchids. Unpublished manuscript. 

Eastman, L.M. 1978. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Maine. The New England Botanical Club in 

cooperation with The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [Region 5, Newton Corner, Massachusetts 

Haines, A. and T.F. Vining. 1998. Flora of Maine - A Manual for Identification of Native and Naturalized Vascular 

Plants of Maine. Bar Harbor: V.F. Thomas Co. 

Kallunki, J.A. 1976. Population studies in Goodyera (Orchidaceae) with emphasis on the hybrid origin of G. 

tesselata. Brittonia 28: 53-75. 

Keenan, P.E. 1983. A Complete Guide to Maine’s Orchids. Freeport: DeLorme Publishing Company. 

_____. 1992, A new form of Triphora trianthophora 

(Orchidacaeae). Rhodora 94:38-39. 

_____. 1999. Wild Orchids Across North America. Portland: Timber Press. 

Luer, C.A. 1975. The Native Orchids of the United States and Canada excluding Florida. Bronx: New York 

Botanical Garden. 

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Pease, A.S. 1964. A Flora of Northern New Hampshire. The New England Botanical Club, Inc. Cambridge, 

Massachusetts. 

Reddoch, A.H. & J.M. Reddoch. 1993. The species pair Platanthera orbiculata and P. macrophylla (Orchidaceae): 

taxonomy, morphology, distributions and habits. Lindleyana 8(4): 171-187. 

Rydberg, P.A. 1901. Gymnadeniopsis Rydberg in Britton, Manual of the Flora of the Northeastern United States, p. 

293. 

Seymour, F.C. 1982. The Flora of New England, 2 nd ed. Phytologia Memoirs V. Plainfield, New Jersey. 

Sheviak, C.J. 1982. Biosystematic Study of the Spiranthes cernua Complex. Bulletin 448. Albany: New York State 

Museum. 

_____. 1991. Lindleyana 6(4): 228-234. 

_____. 1991. Morphological variation in the compilospecies Spiranthes cernua (L.) L.C. Rich.: Ecologically 

limited effects of gene flow. Lindleyana 6: 228-34. 

_____. 1995. Cypripedium parviflorum Salisbury part 2: The larger flowered plants and patterns of variation. 

American Orchid Society Bulletin 64(6): 606-612. 

_____. 1999. The identities of Platanthera hyperborea and P. huronensis, with the description of a new species 

from North America. Lindleyana 14:193–203. 

Sheviak, C.S. and P.M. Catling. 1980. The identity and status of Spiranthes ochroleuca. Rhodora 82: 525-562. 

Slow Empiricist. 2009. What I did on my summer vacation. North American Native Orchid Journal 15(1): 46-49. 

_____. …..of cabbages and kings. North American Native Orchid Journal 15(2): 122-24. 

Stone, W. 1973. The Plants of Southern New Jersey. Boston: Quarterman Publications. (reprint of 1910-11 version). 

Stoutamire, W.P. 1974. Relationships of purple fringed orchids Platanthera psycodes and P. grandiflora. Brittonia 

26: 42-58. 

Wallace, J.E. 1951. The Orchids of Maine. Orono: University of Maine at Orono. 

Wallace, L.E. 2002. An evaluation of taxonomic boundaries in Platanthera dilatata (Orchidaceae). Rhodora 

105(924): 322-36. 

_____. 2003. Molecular Evidence For Allopolyploid Speciation And Recurrent Origins In Platanthera huronensis 

(Orchidaceae) International Journal of Plant Science. 164(6): 907-16. 

_____. 2004. A comparison of genetic variation and structure in the allopolyploid Platanthera huronensis and its 

diploid progenitors, Platanthera aquilonis and Platanthera dilatata (Orchidaceae). Canadian Journal of 

Botany 82:244-252. 

Whiting, R.E. and P.M. Catling. 1986. Orchids of Ontario. Ottawa: CanaColl Foundation. 

Paul Martin Brown 

naorchid@aol.com 

Stan Folsom 

stanartworks@aol.com 

10896 SW90 th Terrace 

Ocala, Florida 34481 

(summer) 

36 Avenue F 

Acton, Maine 04001 

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from the swamps of SOUTH FLORIDA to the wilds of northern ALASKA…. 

to windswept NEWFOUNDLAND and the Big Bend of WEST TEXAS 

WILD ORCHIDS…. 

from the University Press of Florida by Paul Martin Brown & Stan Folsom 

Ordering information from University Press of Florida www.upf.com or 1-800-226-3822 

or for signed and inscribed copies from the authors at naorchid@aol.com 

or directly from the author at naorchid@aol.com 

269

Forthcoming 

Genera Orchidacearum, Volume 5: 

Epidendroideae (Part 2) 

Edited by Alec M. Pridgeon, Phillip J. Cribb, Mark W. Chase, and 

Finn Rasmussen 

664 pages, 400 line illustrations, and 48 color plates. 

Oxford University Press 

Hardcover - due December 2009 $195 

ISBN-13: 9780198507130 

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and the newest guide now 

available……. 

Watch in the spring for the 

next guide Woodland and Bog 

Rein Orchids in your Pocket 

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