Northern Calypso. (Calypso bulbosa.)
From lithograph in Meehan’s Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States, 1: 1878. By permission.
XII
Corallorhiza
R. Brown, 1813
Coral-Root
The generic name, Corallorhiza, refers to the coral-like masses of the roots of this genus.
Scapose orchids, saprophytes or root-parasites, with large masses of coralloid branching roots. Anther 1. Labellum 1-3 ridged. Sepals and petals equal; 1-3 nerved, lateral sepals united at the base with the foot of the column, forming a short spur. Flowers several in a terminal raceme, purplish, yellowish and white. Anther terminal, operculate. Pollinia 4, in 2-pairs, free, soft and waxy. Stem or scape 4-20 inches high. Leaves all reduced to scales. Seed-capsule oblong, drooping when ripe.
Continental Range—In rich woodlands. From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific region. There are about 15 species of this strange genus in the north temperate zone of the world. These species are destitute of green or any distinct form of foliage; their roots are without form, assuming coral-like masses, which draw nourishment for the plants from humus—the rich decay of dead roots and trees in the soil. These plants are known as saprophytes or root parasites.
| North American species north of Mexico | 9 |
| New England species | 4 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 3 |
New England species:
- 1. C. Corallorhiza (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883.
- 2. C. odontorhiza (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818.
- 3. C. Wisteriana Conrad, 1829.
- 4. C. multiflora Nuttall, 1823.
1.—CORALLORHIZA CORALLORHIZA (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883
Early Coral-Root
The specific name, Corallorhiza, refers to the coral-like roots of the species and genus.
Scapose rich woodland orchid, with coral-like roots. May 11th-June 28th-July 12th-August 5th (North) September-October (South). A vernal orchid, North, and an autumnal species in Georgia. The dates of flowering for the Corallorhizas are variable and not standard.
Flowers, 3-12 in a raceme 1-3 inches long, dull purple, about ½ inch long on short, minutely bracted pedicels. Labellum whitish, oblong, 2-toothed, shorter than petals, spur a small protuberance adnate to the summit of ovary. Sepals and petals narrow. Stem or scape, 4-12 inches high. Leaves reduced to 2-5 sheathing scales. Seed-capsule drooping.
Continental Range—from Greenland, and Kotzebue Sound, Unalaska, southward throughout Canada to Georgia; westward to Washington and Oregon. Ascends 7600 feet in Yellowstone Park, where it is rather common.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, infrequent.
2.—CORALLORHIZA ODONTORHIZA (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818
Small-Flowered Coral-Root—Dragon-Claw—Late Coral-Root—Crawley-Root
The specific name, odontorhiza, comes from the Greek, odons, a tooth, and rhiza, a root, referring to the tooth-like shape of the coralloid roots.
Small slender woodland orchid, with coral-like masses of roots. February-March-May (South); July-August-September 6th-October 15th (North).
Flowers, 6-20, purplish, in raceme 2-4 inches long. Labellum oval, denticulate, narrowed at base; not notched, whitish; spur small, adnate to top of ovary. Sepals and petals lanceolate, marked with purple lines. Stem sheathed with 3-4 scales, 6-15 inches high. Confused with C. Corallorhiza northward.
Continental Range—From Ontario, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, southward to Alabama, Florida, and Texas; westward to Illinois and Indiana. Ascends 3000 feet in North Carolina.
New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, Cole’s Grove, Williamstown (Cheney), rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.
3.—CORALLORHIZA WISTERIANA Conrad, 1829[88]
Wister’s Coral-Root
The specific name, Wisteriana, refers to the dedication of this species in honor of the botanist Wister.
Slender woodland orchid, with coral-branching roots. March 1st, Florida (Curtiss); Alabama, February-May.
Flowers whitish, 6-15, in spiked raceme 2-5 inches long; pedicels, erect and slender. Labellum broad and oval, white, clawed, with spots of crimson; notched at apex, differing in this from C. odontorhiza, which is not notched at the apex, but projects acutely; spur a conspicuous protuberance adnate to top of the ovary. Stem 8-16 inches high. Leaves reduced to several sheathing scales. Seed-capsule oblong drooping, when ripe.
Continental Range—From Massachusetts southward to Florida and Texas; westward to Ohio, taking much the same range, and flowering at the same time as C. odontorhiza.
New England Range—Massachusetts, rare.
4.—CORALLORHIZA MULTIFLORA Nuttall, 1823
Spotted Large Coral-Root
The specific name, multiflora, refers to the multiplying of both flowers and plants in many stations.
Tall woodland orchid, with large masses of coralloid roots. May (Canada)-June 20th-July (Maine); August 14th (Massachusetts); September 15th (Connecticut).
Flowers, 10-30, brownish-purple, in spiked raceme 2-8 inches long; pedicels short; flowers ½-¾ inch long. Labellum white, spotted with purple, oval deeply 3-lobed, central lobe broad; side lobes narrow, apex curved. Spur manifest. Sepals and petals linear-lanceolate. Stem 2-20 inches high, purplish. Leaves reduced to several appressed scales. Seed-capsule oblong, drooping when ripe.
Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, southward to Florida; westward to California. Ascends 2500 feet altitude in Montana (Tweedy).
New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.
The Coral-Root. (Corallorhiza.)
XIII
Tipularia[89]
Nuttall, 1818
Crane-Fly Orchis
The generic name, Tipularia, refers to the flowers resembling insects of genus Tipula.
Slender scapose orchids, with solid bulbous roots; several bulbs, or generations connected by offsets. Anther 1. Labellum 3-lobed produced into a long spur backwardly. Sepals and petals similar, spreading. Flowers in a long, loose terminal raceme. Anther terminal, operculate, 2-celled. Pollinia, 4, 2 in each anther-sac, ovoid, waxy, separate, affixed to short stipe, glandular at base. Stem 15-20 inches high. Leaf 1, basal, arising in autumn, about September 14th, hyemal after the flowering-scape has perished. Seed-capsule ½ inch long, 6-ribbed.
Continental Range—From Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, Vermont, to New Jersey, Alabama, and Florida; westward to Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Rare in sandy woods. There are but two known species reported for the world, the following, and another, native of Asia, in the Himalayan region. The American species is slightly distinguished from the Asiatic form by the blunt tip of its labellum.
| North American species north of Mexico | 1 |
| New England species | 1 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 0 |
New England species:
- 1. T. unifolia (Muhlenberg) B. S. P., 1813-1888.
1.—TIPULARIA UNIFOLIA (Muhlenberg) B. S. P., 1813-1888[90]
(Tipularia discolor, Nuttall, 1818)
Crane-Fly Orchis
The specific name, unifolia, refers to the 1 leaf produced by this orchid.
Alert, small moist sandy woodland or rocky hillside orchid, with solid irregular bulb or corm-like roots. Late July-August-October.
Flowers green, tinged with purple, ⅓-¼ inch long, in a loose raceme, 5-10 inches long; pedicels filiform, bractless. Labellum 3-lobed, central lobe narrow, prolonged, dilated at apex, side-lobes short and triangular. Spur straight, slender, twice as long as sepals and petals, giving an insectean poise to the dull flowers. Sepals and petals narrow. Stem 15-20 inches high. Leaf 1, basal, reddish-purple, strongly veined; arising from solid bulb, about September 14th, hyemal. Seed-capsule ½ inch long, 6-ribbed.
Continental Range—From southern Vermont, New Hampshire, southward to Florida and Alabama; westward to Michigan and Indiana. More abundant South. Nowhere common.
New England Range—Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare.
XIV
Limodorum
Linnæus, 1753
(Calopogon R. Brown, 1813)
Grass-Pink—Meadow-Gift
The generic name, Limodorum, comes from the Greek, signifying a meadow-gift.
Scapose orchids with solid bulbous roots. Anther 1. Labellum, hinged, arching above, and spreading; raised on a narrow stalk, dilated at the apex, bearded on the upper side with long club-shaped hairs. Sepals and petals nearly alike, separate and spreading. Flowers fragrant, pink-purple, 3-15 in a loose terminal raceme, seed-capsule (ovary) straight. Anther terminal, operculate, and sessile. Pollinia 2, 1 in each anther-sac, loosely granular. Stem or scape straight, not twisting as usual in other orchids, 1-1½ foot high. Leaf 1, grass-like blade, appearing first season, and followed next year by scape of flowers. Seed-capsule erect, oblong, and straight.
Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Canada, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota and Arkansas. There are 4 species of this beautiful genus endemic only to the Atlantic region.
A peculiar character of this genus lies in the ovary and stem being straight, causing thereby the labellum to arch above instead of drooping below the organs of fertilization, as instanced in Orchis and Cypripedium. Seedlings appear numerous in many swamps.
| North American species north of Mexico | 4 |
| New England species | 1 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 1 |
New England species:
- 1. L. tuberosum Linnæus, 1753.
- (Calopogon pulchellus R. Brown, 1813)
1.—LIMODORUM TUBEROSUM Linnæus, 1753
(Calopogon pulchellus R. Brown, 1813)
Grass-Pink—Meadow-Gift
The specific name, tuberosum, refers to the tuberous or bulbous roots of this orchid.
Beautiful grassy sphagnous meadow orchid, with bulbous roots. May 15th-June 1st-July 20th-August 1st.
Flowers, 3-15 pink-purple, 1 inch long, subtended by acute bracts in spiked raceme 4-15 inches long. Labellum hinged, arching above, owing to ovary and stem being straight; broad, triangular at apex; bearded on the upper side with yellow, orange, and rose-colored club-shaped hairs. Sepals and petals acute, ovate-lanceolate, similar in texture and color. Stem or scape 1-1½ feet high. Leaf 1, linear-lanceolate, 8-12 inches long, grass-like with several scales below. Seed-capsule straight, erect, oblong.
Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia to the shores of Lake Huron, southward throughout New England to Florida; westward to western Texas and Minnesota.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.
The Grass-Pink. (Limodorum tuberosum.)
A beautiful grassy-leaved orchid found in company with the dainty Rose Pogonia, and frequently with the rarer Arethusa in wild cranberry marshes.
XV
Aplectrum
Nuttall, 1818[91]
Putty-Root—Adam-and-Eve
The generic name, Aplectrum, comes from the Greek meaning without a spur.
Scapose orchids with bulb or corm-like roots. Anther 1. Labellum 3-lobed, shorter than petals. Sepals and petals about ½ inch long. Flowers without a spur, dull yellowish-brown in a loose raceme. Anther borne a little below the summit of column. Pollinia 4, lens-shaped. Stem or scape 1-2 feet high. Leaf 1, basal, arising from side of scape; several corms adhering to latest bulb; leaf develops in late autumn, about September 9th, hyemal; several sheathing scales above. Seed-capsule oblong, ovoid, angled.
Continental Range—From Ontario, southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and probably in northern California. Rather rare and local.
| North American species north of Mexico | 2 |
| New England species | 1 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 0 |
New England species:
- 1. A. spicatum (Walter) B. S. P., 1788-1888.
1.—APLECTRUM SPICATUM (Walter) B. S. P., 1788-1888[92]
(Aplectrum hyemale Nuttall, 1818)
Putty-Root—Adam-and-Eve[93]
The specific name, spicatum, refers to the flowers growing in a spica, or spike.
Tall, spiked damp sandy woodland or bogland orchid, with bulbous or corm-like roots. May 22d-July 1st (Northern States); April 20th-July 1st (Southern States).
Flowers, 1-9 dull yellowish-brown, mixed with purple, 1 inch long, short-pediceled, in a loose raceme 2-4 inches long. Labellum shorter than petals, 3-lobed. Sepals and petals ½ inch long, linear-lanceolate. Stem or scape 1-2 feet high, producing 3 scales above the leaf. Leaf 1, basal, arising at side of scape, from the latest bulb or corm; elliptic, 4-6 inches long, appearing about September 9th, hyemal—lasting through the winter.
Continental Range—From Ontario, southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and probably California.
This species, like those of Corallorhiza, is not a definite dated flowering orchid; in the Virginian ravines it blooms as early as April 20th while in Wisconsin, and Missouri it blooms as late as July 1st. The average date for New England is from May 22d-June 25th.
New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rare.
TABLE OF MEASUREMENTS.
| ENGLISH | METRIC. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1½ | inch | (1″) | = | 2 | millimetres | (mm.). |
| 1 | inch | (1′) | = | 2.5 | centimetres | (cm.). |
| 1 | foot | (1°) | = | 3 | decimetres | (dm.). |
Epiphytes, or Air Plants. A Corner in the Orchid House of the Botanical Gardens of New York City.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Thoreau, Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, p. 244.
[2] Thoreau, “Walking,” Excursions, p. 252.
[3] Burroughs, A Year in the Fields.
[4] Milton, Comus.
[5] Whittier, The Mayflowers.
[6] Thoreau, The Maine Woods, p. 34.
[7] L. H. Bailey, Jr., Talks Afield, p. 128. 1885.
[8] Thoreau, “Walking,” Excursions, p. 252.
[9] Henry Baldwin, Orchids of New England, Plate 8, 1894.
[10] Henry Baldwin, Orchids of New England, p. 38, 1894.
[11] Henry Baldwin’s Orchids of New England, p. 37, 1884.
[12] Thomas Wentworth Higginson, The Procession of the Flowers, p. 47.
[13] Gray, Fertilization of Orchids, in Sill. Journ. 1862-1863.
[14] C. A. Crandall, Plant World, p. 6. Jan., 1900.
[15] Darwin, Fertilization of Orchids, p. 284. 1895.
[16] Ibid., p. 291.
[17] Darwin, Fertilization of Orchids, p. 292. 1895.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Darwin, Fertilization of Orchids, pp. 285-286. 1895.
[20] Thomas Wentworth Higginson, The Procession of the Flowers, p. 17.
[21] John Richardson, M.D., Bot. Appendix, Report of Franklin’s Journey, 2d ed., p. 34, 1823.
[22] Dr. F. Kurtz, List of Alaskan Orchids, Expedition 1882.
[23] A. W. Driggs, Catalogue Plants of Connecticut, p. 19. 1901.
[24] F. F. Le Moyne, Garden and Forest, 3: 1890.
[25] T. W. Higginson, The Procession of the Flowers, p. 21.
[26] Thoreau, Summer, p. 198.
[27] Ibid., p. 347.
[28] Thoreau, Summer, p. 347.
[29] Darwin, Fertilization of Orchids, p. 226. 1895.
[30] Thomas Meehan, The Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States, p. 104. 2: 1878.
[31] Darwin, Fertilization of Orchids, p. 284. 1895.
[32] Dr. S. H. Scudder, Proc. Soc. Nat. Hist. Boston, 9: 1863.
[33] Thoreau, Summer, pp. 84-85. 1884.
[34] Dodoens, History of Plants, p. 156. 1578.
[35] Lyte’s translation of Dodoens’ History of Plants, pp. 161-162 (1 ed., 1578).
[36] Bryant, The Gladness of Nature.
[37] Vacinium comes from Baccinium, and was derived from Baccæ—Dodoens, Hist. Pl., 1578.
[38] Clipping from The Transcript, North Adams, Mass., Feb., 1900.
[39] F. H. Blodgett, The Plant World, p. 52, March, 1902.
[40] Dodoens, History of Plants, 1578.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Milton, Lycidas.
[43] Milton, L’Allegro.
[44] The Plant World, July, 1900; February, 1901; September, 1902; November, 1902.
[45] Dr. Rembert Dodoens, History of Plants, Lyte’s Trans., 1st ed., p. 119. 1578.
[46] Bryant, To a Mosquito.
[47] Hawthorne’s American Notes.
[48] Dodoens, History of Plants, p. 290. 1578.
[49] T. B. Aldrich, Bluebells of New England.
[50] Thoreau, Maine Woods, p. 300.
[51] Hawthorne, American Notes, September 9, 1838.
[52] Hawthorne, Ethan Brand.
[53] Thoreau, Tuesday, Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.
[54] Thoreau, Tuesday, Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.
[55] Hawthorne, American Notes, August 31, 1838.
[56] Dr. T. F. Wolfe, Literary Shrines, 173, 1895.
[57] Hawthorne, American Notes, July 31, 1838.
[58] Ibid.
[59] Hawthorne, American Notes, July 31, 1838.
[60] Burroughs, Riverby.
[61] Bryant, The Painted Cup.
[62] Thoreau, Letters. To Sophia Thoreau, May 22, 1843.
[63] Bryant, To the Fringed Gentian.
[64] Former generic designations, now antedated.
[65] Genera not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[66] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although reported for Connecticut.
[67] Nicholson’s Ill. Dict. and Gard. Ency. Hort. Gard. Kew, 1887.
[68] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[69] Doubtfully reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[70] Doubtfully reported for Hoosac Valley region, but should be looked for wherever H. hyperborea grows.
[71] A. L. Andrews, Rhodora, 4:79-81, 1902.
[72] Doubtfully reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[73] A. L. Andrews, Rhodora, 4: 79-81, 1902.
[74] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[75] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[76] Species doubtfully reported for the Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[77] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[78] Species doubtfully reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Massachusetts.
[79] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Massachusetts.
[80] Genus doubtfully reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[81] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[82] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of northern New England.
[83] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of northern New England.
[84] Genus not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[85] Salisbury, Pard. Lond., pl. 89. 1807.
[86] Henry Baldwin, Orchids of New England, 93. 1894.
[87] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[88] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Massachusetts.
[89] Genus not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[90] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[91] Genera not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[92] Species not reported for Hoosac Valley region, although native of Vermont.
[93] The common name, Putty-Root, arose from the putty-like consistency of the adhesive substance of the old corms or bulbs; used to mend broken china. The name Adam-and-Eve originated with the colored folk in Georgia and Alabama. The bulbs are not disagreeable to eat if baked, and many confess to be fond of them. The colored people in the South are said to wear these bulbs as amulets, and attribute great favor to them in casting lots. By separating the offsets, they designate them Adam-and-Eve, as the rule may be, and placing them in a bowl of water decide their good or ill fortune in obtaining work, or a lover, according as Adam or Eve “pops up.”