Bog-trotting for orchids

IV
Pogonia

Jussieu, 1789

Sweet Pogonias

The generic name, Pogonia, comes from the Greek Πωγωνίας, signifying bearded, from the bearded labellum of the type species.

Small bogland or woodland orchids, with fibrous creeping roots. Anther, 1. Labellum erect from base of the column, spurless. Sepals and petals free. Anther terminal, stalked, attached to back of column. Pollinia, 2, 1 in each anther-sac, powdery-granular, without caudicle. Flowers solitary or 1-3 in terminal raceme. Leaves 1-5, alternating, or in whorls as in Pogonia verticillata. Seedlings numerous in many places.

Continental Range—There are about forty-five species of this genus distributed in the wooded regions of the world. The species of Pogonia have formerly been confused with Arethusa.

New England species:

• 1. P. ophioglossoides (Linnæus) Ker, 1753-1816.
• 2. P. trianthophora (Swartz) B. S. P., 1800-1888.
• 3. P. verticillata (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818.
• 4. P. affinis Austin, 1867.

1.—POGONIA OPHIOGLOSSOIDES (Linnæus) Ker, 1753-1816

Rose Pogonia—Snake-Mouth

The specific name, ophioglossoides, refers to the flower resembling a snake’s mouth.

Small sphagnous swamp-land orchid, with fibrous creeping roots. April-May (Florida), June 21st-July 20th (New England).

Flowers 1, sometimes 2, terminal, nodding, rather large for plants; rose and purplish-yellow; fragrant, subtended by a foliaceous bract. Labellum free, somewhat appressed to the column below, fringed and spurless. Sepals and petals about equal, similar. Stem 8-15 inches high. Leaves 1-3, rarely 1 basal leaf; the stem-leaf is ½-3 inches long, bluntly acute; foliaceous bract subtending seed-capsule.

Continental Range—From Newfoundland, southward to the pine barrens of Alabama and Florida; westward to Minnesota and Kansas.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.

2.—POGONIA TRIANTHOPHORA (Swartz) B. S. P., 1800-1888[76]

Nodding Pogonia

The specific name, trianthophora, refers to the 3-lobed labellum and the usually 3 nodding flowers of this species.

Small woodland orchid, with tuberous roots. July-August 11th-September 24th.

Flowers 1-7 on axillary peduncles, pale purple, at first nearly erect, soon drooping, ½-⅔ inch long. Labellum 3-lobed, clawed, roughened, without a spur. Sepals and petals equal, connivent. Stem 3-8 inches high. Leaves, 2-8, alternate, ovate, clasping stem. Seed-capsule oval, drooping.

Continental Range—From Canada, southward to North Carolina, Alabama, and Kentucky; westward to Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana.

New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, infrequent.

3.—POGONIA VERTICILLATA (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818

Large Whorled Pogonia

The specific name, verticillata, refers to the whorled or verticillate growth of the leaves.

Small moist woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous creeping roots. May 20th-June 15th.

Flowers solitary, purplish-green, and yellow, erect or declined, terminal; peduncle ½-⅔ inch long, in fruit exceeding the seed-capsule. Labellum 3-lobed, crested along a narrow band, upper part expanded, greenish-yellow. Sepals linear, 1½-2 inches long, ¹⁄₁₂ inch wide, spreading, dark purple; petals linear, obtuse, greenish-yellow, ⅚ inch long. Stem 10-12 inches high, round and purplish. Leaves 5, verticillate, in a whorl strongly recalling the whorls of the Indian Cucumber plants (Medeola), with which it grows in company; obovate, terminal, pointed at apex, 1-3 inches long. Rarely an obovate basal stem-leaf occurs below the whorl. The roots distinguish this plant from Indian Cucumber, yet many times the two plants so closely resemble each other that it is difficult to determine one from the other until the roots are revealed. The stem of the Pogonia, however, is larger, fleshy, purplish, and juicy, while the Indian Cucumber is brittle and slender.

Continental Range—From Ontario, Canada, southward to North Carolina and Florida; westward to Michigan and Indiana.

New England Range—Maine, not reported; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.

4.—POGONIA AFFINIS Austin, 1867[77]

Small Whorled Pogonia

The specific name, affinis, comes from the Latin affinitas, near alliance, referring to the close relation or affinity this species bears to its sister species, Pogonia verticillata.

Small moist woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June.

Flowers 2 or solitary, greenish-yellow, peduncle ⅙-⅓ inch long. Labellum crested over the whole face and lobes. Sepals and petals equal. Stem 8-10 inches high. Leaves in a whorl of 5 at the summit, smaller than the whorl in P. verticillata. Seed-capsule erect, 1 inch long.

Continental Range—From northern Vermont, southward to Pennsylvania. This orchid has quite recently been collected in Vermont, by Mrs. Henry Holt, near Burlington (1902). Several stations in New Jersey have been destroyed since Mr. Austin first identified it there.

New England Range—Maine, not reported; New Hampshire, not reported; Vermont, very rare; Massachusetts, very rare; Connecticut, frequent; it should be more common in this State, since P. verticillata is frequent.

V
Arethusa

Linnæus, 1753

Beautiful Arethusa

The generic name, Arethusa, refers to the dedication of this species to the nymph Arethusa of classical literature.

Small scapose orchids with bulbous roots; one of the most beautiful native orchids. Anther 1. Labellum dilated, recurved, bearded down the face, spreading at the apex. Sepals and petals similar, arched above, coherent below. Anther operculate. Pollinia 4; 2 in each anther-sac, powdery, granular. Scape 5-10 inches high, glabrous. Leaves 1, 4-6 inches long, linear, and hidden. 1-3 bracts or scales below. Seed-capsule 1 inch long, ellipsoid, 6-ribbed, rarely maturing.

Continental Range—In sphagnous bogs from Newfoundland, southward to North Carolina; westward to Minnesota. Rare throughout its range, seeking unfathomable cranberry marshes, among bushes of Kalmia and Labrador Tea, in close company with Rose Pogonia and Grass Pinks. A genus, consisting of 3 species for the world.

New England species:

• 1. A. bulbosa Linnæus, 1753.

1.—ARETHUSA BULBOSA Linnæus, 1753

Beautiful Arethusa

The specific name, bulbosa, refers to the bulbous roots of this orchid.

Small scapose, bogland orchid with bulbous roots. May 17th-June 30th.

Flowers 1, rarely 2; rose-purple, terminal, nodding, arising from between 2 unequal scales; 1-2 inches long. Labellum drooping, dilated, recurved, spreading at apex, often fringed or toothed, variegated with purple blotches and yellow. Sepals and petals linear, obtuse, arched over the column. Scape 5-10 inches high, glabrous, producing 1-3 sheathing bracts. Leaf 1, linear, many-nerved, 4-6 inches long, hidden above bracts. Root small, onion-like bulb. Seed-capsule 1 inch long, ellipsoid, 6-ribbed, rarely maturing, although seedlings appear numerous in natural haunts, the sphagnum being filled with lightly-attached bulbs.

Continental Range—From Newfoundland, southward to North Carolina; westward to Minnesota.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.

VI
Gyrostachys

Persoon, 1807

(Spiranthes L. C. Richard, 1818)

Ladies’ Tresses

The generic name, Gyrostachys, refers to the twisting spikes, which resemble a “coil,” or “curl,” from which originated the common name of Ladies’ Tresses.

Erect spiked racemes of twisting flowers. Anther 1. Labellum clawed, concave, erect, embracing the column. Sepals free, coherent at top with petals, forming a galea. Flowers small, spurless, white or greenish, in rows. Anther without a lid, situated back of column. Pollinia 2, 1 in each anther-sac, powdery. Fragrance delicate. Stem leafy, bracted above basal leaves. Leaves linear, save in two species—G. simplex and G. gracilis, in which they are round, oblong, and basal. Roots fleshy-fibrous, or tuberous. Seed-capsule erect and oblong.

Continental Range—Common in pasture-land and meadow boglands; from Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific coast. There are 80 or more species of this genus distributed throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world.

New England species:

• 1. G. Romanzoffiana (Chamisso), MacMillan, 1828-1892.
• 2. G. plantaginea (Rafinesque), Britton, 1818-1896.
• 3. G. ochroleuca Rydberg, 1901.
• 4. G. cernua (Linnæus), Kuntze, 1753-1891.
• 5. G. simplex (A. Gray), Kuntze, 1867-1891.
• 6. G. gracilis (Bigelow), Kuntze, 1824-1891.

1.—GYROSTACHYS ROMANZOFFIANA (Chamisso), MacMillan, 1828-1892

Hooded Ladies’ Tresses

The specific name, Romanzoffiana, refers to the species being named in honor of Count Romanzov, a Russian nobleman.

Rather conspicuous bogland orchid, with 1-6 tuberous roots. July 15th-August 27th-September 8th.

Flowers white or greenish, 3-rowed, in spiked racemes, slightly twisted, 2-4 inches long, ⅓-⅔ inch thick; very fragrant. Labellum oblong, contracted below the crisped apex. Sepals and petals broad at the base, hooded above. Stem 6-15 inches high. Leaves below, near the base, 3-8 inches long, with bracts above. Seedlings produce but one tuber, older plants several adhering, older tubers finally withering.

Continental Range—From Unalaska and New Metlakatla, along the southeastern coast of Alaska, southward to Pennsylvania; westward to the Pacific Ocean, ascending 8500 feet altitude in moist meadows in Yellowstone Park, Montana, and 9500 feet on Mount Graham, in Arizona. It is especially a Northern species.

New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, rare; Reservoir Swamp, Notch Road, North Adams, August 17th, 1903 (Grace G. Niles); swamps, base of Mount Greylock, Adams, (Marcus White); Mr. White is the first botanist to collect this species in Massachusetts.

2.—GYROSTACHYS PLANTAGINEA (Rafinesque) Britton, 1818-1896

Early Broad-leaved Ladies’ Tresses

The specific name, plantaginea, refers to a supposed resemblance of this species to the spikes and foliage of certain species of Plantain (Plantago).

Small moist woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 7th-July 2nd-August 15th.

Flowers yellow and white, spreading, ¼ inch long, in densely flowered raceme, 1-2 inches long, ⅓-½ inch thick. Labellum pale yellow on face, oblong, not contracted in middle, apex rounded and fringed, base clawed. Sepals and petals white; lateral sepals free, lanceolate, upper sepal, united with petals. Stem 4-10 inches high. Leaves 4-5, oblanceolate, 1-5 inches long, becoming bract-like above.

Continental Range—From New Brunswick, Ontario, southward to Virginia; westward to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Rather rare in the southern and western range; nowhere abundant.

New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rare.

3.—GYROSTACHYS OCHROLEUCA Rydberg, Britton’s Manual. 300, 1901[78]

Yellow Ladies’ Tresses

The specific name, ochroleuca, refers to the yellowish-green or ochroleucous color of the flowers.

Small hillside and damp pasture-land orchid, with fleshy or tuberous roots. August-September 1st-15th.

Flowers yellowish-green, very fragrant, in densely flowered raceme, conspicuously acute in bud, of creamy-green color, in company with G. cernua, but not so abundant. Labellum oblong, crenulate or crisped. Stem 12-20 inches high, pubescent. Leaves linear, tapering at both ends, basal, with bract-like leaves above. Slightly later than G. cernua.

Continental Range—From New Hampshire, southward to Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

New England Range—Without doubt in each State in company with G. cernua, of which it appears to be a form. Frequent Mt. Washington, Massachusetts, and swamps about North Adams, September 1st (Grace G. Niles).

4.—GYROSTACHYS CERNUA (Linnæus) Kuntze, 1753-1891

Nodding Ladies’ Tresses

The specific name, cernua, refers to cernuous or nodding flowers of this species.

Small bogland or damp meadow orchid, with fleshy or tuberous roots. August 25th-September 1st-28th-October.

Flowers white, fragrant, nodding or spreading, ½ inch long, in three rows; densely flowered raceme, twisted, 4-5 inches long, ½-⅔ inch thick. Labellum oblong, apex rounded, crisped. Lateral sepals free; upper one arching with petals. Stem 6-25 inches high. Leaves at or near base, linear-oblanceolate, 3-14 inches long, with 2-6 bracts above.

Continental Range—From the Barren Grounds in latitude 64°-69° North, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota, Kansas, Indian Territory, Texas, and New Mexico.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Connecticut, very common.

5.—GYROSTACHYS SIMPLEX (A. Gray) Kuntze, 1867-1891[79]

Little Simple Ladies’ Tresses

The specific name, simplex, refers to the simplicity of this species.

Slender sandy soil orchid, with single tuberous root. August-September 9th.

Flowers, white, small, ¹⁄₁₂ inch long; in slender, twisting, spiked raceme, 1 inch long. Labellum obovate-oblong, short-clawed, and crisped at the summit; callosities nipple-shaped. Stem simple and slender, 5-9 inches high, with small bracts above basal leaves, glabrous, slightly twisted. Leaves 2-3 basal, oblong and short, disappearing at or after flowering season.

Continental Range—From Massachusetts, southward to Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Tennessee. It appears more frequent near the coast, from Nantucket, Delaware, Staten Island, and throughout New Jersey, in company with G. gracilis.

New England Range—Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, infrequent.

6.—GYROSTACHYS GRACILIS (Bigelow) Kuntze, 1824-1891

Slender Ladies’ Tresses

The specific name, gracilis, refers to the slender and grass-like spike of this species.

Small sandy woodland or pasture-land orchid, with several spindle-shaped tuberous roots. April 15th, Florida (Curtiss); May, Alabama; July 25th-September-October 15th, both North and South.

Flowers white, very fragrant, ⅙-¼ inch long, in a slender spiked raceme, 1-3 inches long, ⅓-½ inch thick, loose, usually much twisted. Labellum white on margins, thick and greenish in middle, ⅙ inch long, clawed at the base, crenulate at the apex. Stem 8-24 inches high, slender, grass-like. Leaves 3 obovate, sometimes nearly orbicular, basal, dying away at or before flowering season.

Continental Range—From Nova Scotia, southward throughout Canada, and New England, to Florida; westward to Minnesota, and Texas.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, very common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, very common; Connecticut, common.

VII
Listera

R. Brown, 1813[80]

Lister’s Twayblade

The generic name, Listera, is in honor of Martin Lister, 1638(?)-1712, a correspondent of Ray.

Small orchids with fleshy-fibrous roots. Anther, 1. Labellum 2-cleft, longer than petals. Sepals and petals nearly alike. Flowers in terminal raceme, spurless. Anther erect, joined to column, without a lid. Pollinia, 2, united to gland, powdery. Stem 3-10 inches high. Leaves, 2, opposite, near the middle of the stem, 1-2 scales below.

Continental Range—In moist woodlands and boglands from Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific coast. There are 12 species or more belonging to the north temperate zone which are closely related to species of Gyrostachys and Peramium, save in the herbaceous foliage.

New England species:

• 1. L. convallarioides (Swartz) Torrey, 1800-1826.
• 2. L. auriculata Wiegand, 1899.
• 3. L. cordata (Linnæus) R. Brown, 1753-1813.

1.—LISTERA CONVALLARIOIDES (Swartz) Torrey, 1800-1826[81]

Broad-lipped Twayblade

The specific name, convallarioides, refers probably to a supposed resemblance of this species to Convallaria, the Lily-of-the-Valley.

Small woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 9th-August 17th.

Flowers purplish-yellow, 3-15 spurless, subtended by acute bracts, ¼-⅓ inch long. Labellum wedge-shaped, broader than sepals or petals, produced into 2 distinct lobes at the apex, notched in center, ornamented with tooth at the base. Sepals and petals linear-lanceolate. Stem 4-10 inches high. Leaves 2, nearly orbicular in the middle of stem, opposite, smooth, obtuse at the apex, 3-9 nerved.

Continental Range—From the wooded coast Unalaska, southward throughout the Canadian provinces, to North Carolina; westward to the fir-forests of Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Bay region of California.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, doubtfully reported.

2.—LISTERA AURICULATA Wiegand, 1899[82]

Auricled Twayblade

The specific name, auriculata, from auriculum, ear, refers to the auricled base of the labellum and leaves of this species.

Small cedar swamp orchid, with fibrous roots. July.

Flowers, many in slender raceme. Labellum slightly ciliate, oblong, broadest at the auricled base, cleft ¼-⅓ its length. Sepals lanceolate; petals oblong-linear, longer than the ovary, spreading, obtuse. Stem 4-7 inches high, slender. Leaves large, oval, or elliptic-ovate, borne above the middle of the stem.

Continental Range—From Quebec, southward to Maine and New Hampshire.

New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare.

3.—LISTERA CORDATA (Linnæus) R. Brown, 1753-1813.

Heart-Leaved Twayblade

The specific name, cordata, refers to the cordate or heart-shaped leaves.

Small, moist woodland orchid, with fibrous roots. June 27th-July 30th-August 8th.

Flowers minute, purplish, in a loose raceme, ½-2 inches long, 4-20 flowered, pedicels bracted, ⅙ inch long. Labellum 2-cleft, narrow, with a tooth on each side at the base. Sepals and petals oblong-linear. Stem slender, 3-10 inches high. Leaves 2, heart-shaped, or cordate ½-1 inch long.

Continental Range—From Alaska, southward to Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Pacific region; and New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic region. It appears to be more of a northern plant than L. convallarioides.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.

VIII
Peramium

Salisbury, 1812

(Goodyera R. Brown, 1813)

Rattlesnake Plantain

The origin of the generic name, Peramium, is not given in the original description. It may come from Ammon, Amen, the Egyptian Sun-God of Life, since to the blotched leaves of this genus the Indians attribute great powers, as a remedy against the deadly amniotic poison received from the rattlesnake’s bite.

Orchids with erect bracted scapes, and fleshy-fibrous roots. Anther 1. Labellum concave, or sessile roundish-ovate. Lower sepals free, upper one united with petals into a galea. Flowers in densely-flowered, or 1-sided bracted spikes. Anther erect, attached to column, without a lid. Pollinia 2, 1 in each anther-sac, composed of angular grains attached to small disk, cohering with top of stigma. Stems or scapes bracted, 5-20 inches high. Leaves several, basal, blotched, with beautiful network of white, green or yellow, resembling a snake’s skin. Seed-capsule erect, nearly always maturing. Seedlings abundant in conifer shades.

Continental Range—From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota and California. There are 25 or more species of this genus ranging in the temperate and tropical regions of the world.

New England species:

• 1. P. repens (Linnæus) Salisbury, 1753-1812.
• 2. P. pubescens (Willdenow) MacMillan, 1805-1892.
• 3. P. Menziesii (Lindley) Morong, 1840-1894.
• 4. P. ophioides (Fernald) Rydberg, 1899-1901.

1.—PERAMIUM REPENS (Linnæus) Salisbury, 1753-1812

Small One-Sided Goodyera—Net-Leaf Rattlesnake Plantain

The specific name, repens, refers to the creeping roots of this species.

Small conifer, woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. July 19th-August 5th-30th.

Flowers white, on 1-sided spike, ⅙-¼ inch long. Labellum saccate, recurved, narrowed at apex; column short. Stem 5-10 inches high. Leaves ovate, basal in a rosette, pointed, yellowish-green, ½-1¼ inch long, ⅓-⅔ inch wide, blotched with white or lighter yellowish-green; several bracts above. This species intergrades with other New England species of Peramium, so as to make their designation difficult in many stations.

Continental Range—From Nova Scotia, possibly Alaska (?), southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota, South Dakota, and Colorado. Ascends 5000 feet altitude in Virginia.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, very rare; Connecticut, rare.

2.—PERAMIUM PUBESCENS (Willdenow) MacMillan, 1805-1892

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain—Canker-Root

The specific name, pubescens, refers to the hirsute or downy leaves and scape of this species.

Small conifer woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 15 Virginia (Curtiss); May 8th Wisconsin; July 4th-September, New England.

Flowers greenish-white, in densely-flowered (not 1-sided) spike. Labellum saccate, apex recurved, obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate; petals and upper sepal arching in an ovate galea. Stem 6-20 inches high, clothed with hairs, much more hirsute, or downy, than P. repens. Leaves basal, in a rosette, 1-2 inches long, strongly blotched with greenish-white, 5-10 scales above. The Creeping Goodyera (P. repens) intergrades with this species and causes confusion in designation. P. pubescens spikes are not 1-sided, the rosette of leaves are of a bluer velvety green, blotched with a purer white network, while P. repens rosette of leaves is dull yellowish-green.

Continental Range—From Ontario, Newfoundland, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota. Ascends 4000 feet altitude in North Carolina.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, common.

3.—PERAMIUM MENZIESII (Lindley) Morong, 1840-1894[83]

Menzies’ Rattlesnake Plantain

The specific name, Menziesii, refers to the dedication of this species, in honor of the explorer and botanist Menzies.

Small conifer woodland orchid, with fibrous-fleshy roots. June-July 21st-August 20th-September 15th.

Flowers greenish-white, spike not 1-sided. Labellum scarcely saccate, swollen at base, apex narrower, and recurved. Anther ovate, pointed; the buds, flowers, and leaves are all conspicuously acute. Stem 8-15 inches high. Leaves basal in rosette, bracts above, often without blotches of white; resembling P. pubescens very much, although the basal leaves are stiffer and acute at apex and base. The Peramiums intergrade with each other, confusing their specific characters.

Continental Range—From Loring, Chilcat, southeast coast of Alaska, southward to Lake Huron, Quebec, Maine, Vermont(?), and New York; westward to Arizona and California. Ascends 9500 feet altitude in Arizona.

New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, doubtfully reported; Massachusetts, doubtfully reported.

4.—PERAMIUM OPHIOIDES (Fernald) Rydberg, 1899-1901

White-Blotched Rattlesnake Plantain

The specific name, ophioides, comes from ophis, a serpent, and oides, like, referring to the blotched leaves resembling a snake’s skin.

Small cold mossy woodland orchid with thick fleshy-fibrous roots. July-September.

Flowers greenish-white; galea concave with a short, strongly recurved tip. Labellum deeply saccate, with recurved margins and tip. Anther blunt. Scape 4-8 inches high, glandular-pubescent. Leaves basal in rosette, several; leaf-blade broadly ovate, dark green, usually with the white blotches most conspicuous along the cross-veins. Spike of flowers 1-sided, loosely arranged. A variety of P. repens, with which it is confused.

Continental Range—From Prince Edward Island to Manitoba, southward to North Carolina, in company with P. repens and P. pubescens.

New England Range—Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, common.

IX
Achroanthes

Rafinesque, 1808

(Microstylis Nuttall, 1818)

Adder’s-Mouth

The generic name, Achroanthes, refers to the green flowers of this genus.

Small orchids with solid bulbs. Anther, 1. Labellum cordate, or eared, at the base, embracing the column. Sepals free; petals linear, spreading. Flowers minute white or greenish, in a terminal raceme. Anther erect between the auricles, 2-celled. Pollinia, 4, 2 in each anther-sac, smooth and waxy, without caudicles or glands, and cohering at summit. Stem, 4-10 inches high. Leaf 1, with several scales at base of stem. Seed-capsule oval, or globose.

Continental Range—From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to Nebraska and Arizona, where a species seeks 9500 feet elevation on Mount Graham. There are 70-80 species reported in the temperate and tropical regions of the world.

New England species:

• 1. A. monophylla (Linnæus) Green, 1753-1891.
• 2. A. unifolia (Michaux) Rafinesque, 1803-1808.

1.—ACHROANTHES MONOPHYLLA (Linnæus) Green, 1753-1891

White Adder’s-Mouth

The specific name, monophylla, refers, inappropriately, to the one leaf, since each of our New England species are 1-leaved.

Small woodland orchid, with bulbous root. June 20th-July 25th-August 2d.

Flowers whitish, in a club-like raceme, 1-3 inches long, ¼-½ inch thick; flowers ¹⁄₁₂ inch long, minute, pedicels nearly erect, subtended by bracts ⅙ inch long. Labellum ovate, acuminate, notched on sides. Sepals and petals acute, narrow. Stem, 4-6 inches high. Leaf, 1, sheathing at its base, 1-2 inches long, distinguished from following species, A. unifolia, by being near base of stem instead of middle.

Continental Range—From New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, southward to Vermont, doubtfully reported for New Bedford, Massachusetts; westward to Oneida, New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Indiana, and Texas.

New England Range—Maine, infrequent; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, Pownal, Swamp of Oracles (Marcus White), rare; Massachusetts, Berlin, and Spencer (Dr. G. E. Stone); Mount Greylock bog, North Adams (Marcus White), rare.

2.—ACHROANTHES UNIFOLIA (Michaux) Rafinesque, 1803-1808

Green Adder’s-Mouth

The specific name, unifolia, one-leaved, refers, like the preceding species, to the 1 leaf.

Small damp woodland orchid, with bulbous root. May-June 26th (South)-July 25th-August 10th-September (North).

Flowers in club-shaped raceme 1-3 inches long, 1 inch thick; greenish, minute, ¹⁄₁₂ inch long, pedicels slender, spreading, ¼-½ inch long. Labellum broad, 3-toothed at apex. Sepals oblong. Stem, 4-10 inches high. Leaf, 1, near the middle of stem, clasping, nearly orbicular. Seed-capsule oval, drooping.

Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Ontario, southward to Florida; westward to Missouri and Minnesota. Ascends 4000 feet altitude in North Carolina.

New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, Pownal (Grace G. Niles), rare; Massachusetts, Mount Greylock pasture, North Adams (Marcus White), rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.

X
Leptorchis

Thouars, 1808

(Liparis Richard, 1818)

Lily-Leaved Twayblade

The generic name, Leptorchis, comes from the Greek, referring to a slender orchid. The former name, Liparis, referred to the smooth and shining leaves of these plants.

Small low orchids with bulbous roots. Anther, 1. Labellum nearly flat, often bearing 2 tubercles above the base. Sepals and petals spreading, petals usually narrow. Flowers in a terminal raceme, numerous and showy. Pollinia, 4, 2 in each anther-sac, smooth and waxy, slightly united, without stalks or glands. Stem or scape, 2-10 inches high. Leaves, 2, basal, broad, oval and shining, with several sheathing scales at base. Two or three seasons bulbs adhere to the latest bulb, and in time wither away. Seed-capsule long, erect, club-shaped.

Continental Range—In moist woodlands and along springy roadside banks. From Canada, New England southward to Georgia; westward to Iowa, Minnesota, and Washington. There are about 100 species of this genus, distributed in the temperate and tropical regions of the world.

New England species:

• 1. L. liliifolia (Linnæus) Kuntze, 1753-1891.
• 2. L. Loeselii (Linnæus) MacMillan, 1753-1892.

1.—LEPTORCHIS LILIIFOLIA (Linnæus) Kuntze, 1753-1891

Large Lily-Leaved Twayblade

The specific name, liliifolia, refers to the lily-leaves of this species.

Small, moist woodland orchid, with bulbous onion-like roots, more or less exposed. May 17th-June 1st-July 16th.

Flowers purplish-green in loose terminal raceme, many-flowered, and showy. Labellum purple, wedge-obovate. Sepals and petals narrow and reflexed. Stem or scape, 4-10 inches high. Leaves, 2, basal, oval, 2-5 inches long, smooth shining emerald-green. Seed-capsule club-shaped, erect.

Continental Range—From Maine southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota.

New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.

2.—LEPTORCHIS LOESELII (Linnæus) MacMillan, 1753-1892

Loesel’s Green Twayblade—Fen-Orchis

The specific name, Loeselii, refers to the dedication of this species in honor of the botanist Loesel.

Small damp thicket or dry sandy roadside orchid, with onion-like bulbous roots; old bulbs adhering to latest bulb, somewhat exposed. May 30th-June 25th-July 27th.

Flowers greenish, minute ⅙-¼ inch long, in a few-flowered raceme, smaller than preceding species, L. liliifolia; one of the smallest native orchids. Labellum pointed, obovate, apex incurved. Sepals narrow, lanceolate. Petals reflexed, linear. Stem or scape 2-8 inches high, 5-7 ribbed. Leaves 2, basal, 2-6 inches long, stiff, strongly veined, resembling Plantain leaves. Seed-capsules erect, wide-angled.

Continental Range—From Nova Scotia southward to Maryland, Kentucky; westward, to Minnesota and Washington.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rare.

XI
Calypso[84]

Salisbury, 1807

Beautiful Calypso—Northern Calypso

The generic name, Calypso, refers to the dedication of this genus to the Goddess Calypso. Its Greek signification is not only, as Salisbury wrote, to “cover and conceal” the stigma of the species, but also to preserve a poetical analogy between this botanical goddess, so difficult of access, and the secluded Goddess of Silence, whose Isle of Ogygia was fabled to be miraculously protected from observation by navigators.[85]

Small bogland orchid with solid bulbous and coralloid roots. Anther 1. Labellum shoe-shaped, saccate, 2-parted at the apex. Sepals and petals free, similar in texture. Flowers 1, large, terminal pendulous, bracted, resembling a Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium). Linnæus wrongly designated this species Cypripedium bulbosum in 1753. Stem or scape 3-6 inches high. Leaf 1, hyemal, appearing as an autumnal leaf about September 2d,[86] sheathed above by 2-3 scales. Anther lid-like below the summit of column. Pollinia 2, 2-parted, without caudicles, waxy, sessile, on a thick gland. Seed-capsule about ½ inch long, many-nerved.

Continental Range—From Alaska, Labrador, southward, to Middlebury, Vermont, and doubtfully reported for Pelham, Massachusetts; westward to California and New Mexico. First collected in the United States in the State of Vermont, at Charleston and Morgan by the botanist Carey, who resided at Bellows Falls in 1831-1833. A monotypic species ranging in cooler portions of north temperate zone, in Europe, Asia, and North America, assuming slight varietal changes in different regions.

New England species:

• 1. C. bulbosa (Linnæus) Oakes, 1753-1842.

1.—CALYPSO BULBOSA (Linnæus) Oakes, 1753-1842[87]

Beautiful Calypso—Northern Calypso

The specific name, bulbosa, refers to the bulbous root of this species, which was originally confounded by Linnæus in 1753 as a bulbous Cypripedium, and later placed under its generic designation Calypso by Salisbury in 1807.

Small sphagnous bogland or conifer woodland orchid, with bulbous and coralloid roots. April 19th-May 3d-June 15th-July 12th.

Flowers terminal, variegated with purple-pink, yellow, or white; shoe-shaped or saccate, resembling a Lady’s Slipper, with which genus it was confused by Linnæus in 1753. Labellum large, saccate or shoe-shaped pink-purple, 2-parted at apex, with patch of yellow (or white) woolly hairs near the point of division, spreading. Sepals and petals free, similar in texture. Stem or scape 3-6 inches high. Leaf 1, autumnal, appearing about September 2d, hyemal, basal, sheathed above by 2-3 scales. Seed-capsule ½ inch long, many-nerved.

Continental Range—From Sitka, Alaska, Labrador, southward to Middlebury, Vermont, and possibly as far south as Pelham, Massachusetts; westward to Humboldt Bay, mouth of Russian River, California, and northeastern New Mexico.

First collected in the United States in Vermont by the botanist Carey in 1831-1833. The Rocky Mountain Calypso appears to be distinguished from the eastern Calypso by producing a beard of white instead of yellow hairs at the point of division of the labellum. This varietal form is designated Calypso occidentalis (Holzinger) Heller.

Robert Brown, as early as 1813, attempted to establish a distinct species in the American Calypso, from that of the European and Asiatic forms. He designated the North American form, Calypso Americana. Neither Lindley nor Hooker approved of this distinction, Hooker remarking that the species even in the same country may vary in structure or colors, but not permanently enough to designate it specifically. Smith, Richard and Lindley later agreed with Dr. Hooker in “considering the American, European and Asiatic Calypso the same.”

Calypso bulbosa is the only species of this genus in the north temperate zone, and is nearly related to the section Pleiones of genus Cœlogyne, meaning “two-lipped” or 2-parted at the apex of the labellum. Cœlogyne is a native of Asia, and many of the closely allied Pleiones are alpine-orchids, their large rose-colored or cream-colored flowers clinging to the branches of sturdy oaks at an altitude of 7500 feet in latitude 30° North. Calypso also seeks the colder lands, of the conifer forests of Alaska and Labrador, in latitude 54°-69° North; while in the Rocky Mountain region it is found at an elevation of 4000-5000 feet above sea level.

New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, frequent northward; Massachusetts, doubtfully reported.