Nature, in fact that parent of all things, has produced no animated being for the purpose solely of eating; she has willed that it should be born to satisfy the wants of others, and in its very vitals has implanted medicaments conducive to health.... Cato has recommended that flowers for making chaplets should be cultivated in the gardens: varieties remarkable for delicacy, which it is quite impossible to express, inasmuch as no individual can find such faculties for describing them as Nature does, for bestowing on them their numerous tints. Nature, who here in especial shows herself in a sportive mood, takes a delight in the prolific display of her varied productions. The other plants she has produced for our uses and our nutriment, and to them accordingly she has granted years, and even ages, of duration; but as for the flowers and their perfumes, she has given them birth for but a day—a mighty lesson to man, we see, to teach him that that which in its career is most beauteous and most attractive to the eye is the very first to fade and die.
Even the limner’s art possesses no resources for reproducing colors of the flowers in all their varied tints and combinations, whether we view them in groups alternately blending their hues or whether arranged in festoons, each variety by itself.—Pliny, Natural History (23-79 A.D.).
[In compiling the appendix of New England Orchids, the author has followed the order of classification and nomenclature adopted by Messrs. Britton and Brown in the Illustrated Flora of Northeastern North America, 1896, without doubt the highest and most systematic arrangement according to the progress of evolution and the advancement of the science of botany in North America.]
Orchidaceæ, Lindley, Natural System, 2d ed., p. 336. 1836.
Perennial plants arising from bulbs, corms, fibrous, or tuberous roots. Stems or scapes 2 inches to 3-4 feet high. Leaves parallel-veined, sheathing, and plicate, sometimes reduced to scales. Flowers perfect or irregular, solitary or in a spiked raceme, usually subtended by a leafy bract. Perianth consists of 6 segments. The calyx, or outer whorl, consisting of 3 parts (sepals); the corolla, or inner whorl, consisting of 3 parts (petals). The third petal is designated labellum (lip), or nectary, and is in orchids the most beautiful part, assuming grotesque shapes ornamented with spurs and fringes. The stamens and pistils are variously united with the style, forming an unsymmetrical column. Anther, 1, or in Cypripedium 2; 2-celled. Pollen in 2-8 pear-shaped, usually stalked masses (pollinia), united by elastic threads, the masses waxy or powdery, attached at the base to a viscid disk (gland). Stigma, a viscid surface, facing the labellum beneath the rostellum, or in a cavity between the anther-sacs (clinandrium). Seed-capsule (ovary) inferior, long and twisted, 3-angled, 1-celled. Ovules minute, spindle-shaped, and numerous; embryo fleshy. The colors of orchids are various and beautiful; their fragrance heavy and exquisite in several species. Orchids were known and designated by Linnæus in 1753 as Gynandrous, meaning “stamens and pistils united to the column.” There are about 410 genera and from 6,000 to 10,000 species, widely distributed throughout the damp and wooded regions of the world. More abundant in the humid atmosphere of the tropics, where many species are air-plants or epiphytes. The orchids of the temperate and sub-arctic regions are terrestrial, drawing their nourishment from the earth.
| North American Orchids, North of Mexico | 150-160 |
| New England Orchids | 48-56 |
| Hoosac Valley Orchids | 40-42 |
Genera XV. Species 56.
| I. | Cypripedium Linnæus, 1753—6 species. |
| II. | Orchis Linnæus, 1753—2 species. |
| III. | Habenaria Willdenow, 1805—18 species. |
| IV. | Pogonia Jussieu, 1789—4 species. |
| V. | Arethusa Linnæus, 1753—1 species. |
| VI. | Gyrostachys Persoon, 1807—6 species. |
| (Spiranthes Richard, 1818.[64]) | |
| VII. | Listera R. Brown, 1813—3 species. |
| VIII. | Peramium Salisbury, 1812—4 species. |
| (Goodyera R. Brown, 1813.[64]) | |
| IX. | Achroanthes Rafinesque, 1808—2 species. |
| (Microstylis Nuttall, 1818.[64]) | |
| X. | Leptorchis Thouars, 1808—2 species. |
| (Liparis Richard, 1818.[64]) | |
| XI. | Calypso Salisbury, 1807—1 species.[65] |
| XII. | Corallorhiza R. Brown, 1813—4 species. |
| XIII. | Tipularia Nuttall, 1818—1 species.[65] |
| XIV. | Limodorum Linnæus, 1753—1 species. |
| (Calopogon R. Brown, 1813.[64]) | |
| XV. | Aplectrum Nuttall, 1818—1 species.[65] |
Linnæus, 1753
Lady’s Slipper—Moccasin-Flower
The generic name, Cypripedium, comes from the Greek, referring to Κύπρις, a former name of Venus, the Divine Mother of the Romans before Christ, and πόδιον, signifying sock, or slipper.
Glandular pubescent plants. Anthers, 2. Labellum shoe-shaped, or conical. Sepals and petals similar in texture; lower sepals wholly or imperfectly united in all species save C. arietinum R. Brown. Stem, 6 inches to 3 feet high. Flowers, 1-4 in the Atlantic region and 1-12 in the Pacific region; pendulous, alternating in a bracted raceme. Pollen granulose, without caudicle or glands. Fragrance heavy, aromatic, or oily save in two exquisitely sweet species, C. parviflorum Salisbury, of the Atlantic region, and C. Montanum Douglas, of the Pacific slope. Leaves, 2-several, plicate, light green, somewhat resembling Hellebore foliage, with which plants the Cypripediums were early confused by the ancient herbalists. Roots fleshy, fibrous, with spicy, oily, or musk-like odor, used as a nervine. Seed-capsule long, three-angled; ovules numerous, minute, resembling saw-dust. Seedlings frequent in many stations. About 50 species for the world.
Continental Range—Throughout the conifer wooded and bogland regions from Alaska southward to Mexico. May-July.
| North American species | 13 |
| New England species | 6 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 5 |
New England species:
The Fragrant White Moccasin-Flower. (Cypripedium Montanum.)
This species is a native of the Rocky Mountain region, and is closely related to our eastern Fragrant Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum): these two Cypripediums being the only really fragrant species on the continent.
Ram’s-Head Lady’s Slipper—Ram’s-Head Moccasin-Flower
The specific name, arietinum, refers to the conical labellum resembling a ram’s head.
Small conifer bogland or damp woodland orchid, with fibrous roots. Rare. May 9th-August 1st.
Flowers, one, terminal, mottled dull purple and white. Labellum conical, ½-⅔ inch, prolonged at the apex into a reflexed spur. Sepals all free. Petals narrow, similar in color, and assuming the place of horns to the ram’s-head-shaped flower. Stem leafy, 6-12 inches high. Leaves, 3-4, dark apple-green; 2-4 inches wide, smooth, without hairs. Seed-capsule prominently ridged.
Continental Range—From Quebec, Ontario southward to North Haven, Connecticut, and Mt. Toby, Massachusetts; westward to Minnesota, the Great Lake region being the centre of distribution. Limited between the 40th-50th parallels.
New England Range—Maine, rather abundant; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, abundant; Massachusetts, rare; Connecticut, very rare.
White-Petaled, or Showy Lady’s Slipper—Queen of the Moccasin-Flowers
The specific name, reginæ, refers to the queenly appearance of the white-petaled flowers.
Large bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. Frequent. June 15th-July 4th.
Flowers, 1-4 terminal, large, showy, white, tinged with deep pink or wine; the most beautiful species among our native Cypripediums. Labellum shoe-shaped, inflated, drooping margins of the orifice inflected, crest deeply tinged with pink-purple; interior downy, ornamented with lines of deeper purple. Rarely pure white flowers occur. Sepals and petals similar, pure white; 2 lower sepals wholly united; side petals narrower than sepals. Stem, 1-3 feet high. Leaves, 5-7, alternating to top of stem; 3-7 inches long, clasping, 1-4 inches wide; 10-13 plaits; strongly pubescent, produces poisonous effect to susceptible people similar to that caused by Rhus.
Continental Range—From Nova Scotia southward to the higher mountains of North Carolina, and Huntsville, Alabama; westward to Minnesota, Walhalla Mountains, North Dakota, and the Barrens of Kentucky.
New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, no stations reported; Connecticut, frequent.
The Showy Moccasin-Flower. (Cypripedium reginæ.)
This is the most gorgeous Cypripedium in the world, and without doubt one of the most ancient types of the genus. The stigma is distinctly three-lobed. The plate shows the waxy texture of the white sepals and petals and the wine-colored crest of the shoe-shaped labellum, as well as the highly decorated interior.
Small White Lady’s Slipper—The Prairie Moccasin-Flower
The specific name, candidum, refers to the white labellum of this species.
Small, damp swamp-land orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. Rare. May 11th-June 29th.
Flowers small, solitary, and terminal. Labellum shoe-shaped, white, striped with purple interiorly; about 1 inch long; orifice small, with edges inflected. Sepals and petals lanceolate, greenish-brown and purple; lower sepals imperfectly united. Stem leafy, 6-12 inches high, pubescent. Leaves, 3-4, sheathing, erect, crowded, acute, 3-5 inches long, ⅔-1½ inches wide, several scales below, 7-9 nerved.
Continental Range—From Connecticut, Pennsylvania westward to Indiana, North Dakota, Columbia Plains, on the Canadian shore of St. Clair River, to the Barrens of northern Kentucky, and Fort Hill, California, which station appears doubtful; more central distribution being from central New York to North Dakota.
New England Range—Recently reported for Connecticut by Mr. A. W. Driggs, of East Hartford.
Large Yellow Lady’s Slipper—Downy Yellow Moccasin-Flower
The specific name, hirsutum, refers to the whole plant being hirsute, or clothed with hairs.
Large bogland or damp mountainside orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. May 19th-June 15th.
Flowers dull chrome yellow, 1-3, terminal, shoe-shaped, 1-2½ inches long. Labellum shoe-shaped, inflated, convex above, chrome yellow, edges of orifice inflected, lined with downy hairs and dotted lines of carmine. Sepals and petals graceful, petals very much twisted; lower sepals imperfectly united; siskin-green and brown-purple. Stem leafy to top, 1-2½ high, pubescent. Leaves, usually 5, broadly ovate, 3-5 inches long, 1½-3 inches wide; 7-9 nerved; plicate and hirsute, said to cause poisonous irritation similar to Rhus. Roots used as a nervine.[67]
Continental Range—From the wooded country of the sub-arctic lands in latitude 54°-64° North, southward throughout Canada, New England, to Alabama; westward to North Dakota, Colorado, slightly beyond the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountain region.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, abundant; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.
Small Yellow Lady’s Slipper—Fragrant Yellow Moccasin-Flower
The specific name, parviflorum, refers to the small flower of this species.
Small bogland or damp hillside orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. May 19th-July 4th.
Flowers small, yellow, solitary, and terminal. Often intergrades with larger yellow species—(C. hirsutum); fragrant, the only Cypripedium in the Atlantic region especially so. Labellum small, ½-1½ inch long, shoe-shaped, drooping lemon-yellow, lined with downy hairs and dotted lines of carmine. Sepals and petals brownish-purple, similar in texture; sepals 2 inches long, graceful, twisted, lower ones imperfectly united; petals glossy and twisting exceedingly. Stem leafy, slender, pubescent, 1-2 feet high. Leaves lanceolate, 3-5 inches long and 1-2¼ inches wide, pubescent, 7-9 nerved; not so villose as C. hirsutum Miller. Said to produce poisonous effect similar to Rhus.
Continental Range—In company with other species of New England Cypripedium; from Newfoundland, British Columbia, southward to Georgia; westward to the sub-humid regions of Kansas, extending slightly over the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain region. Ascends 4000 feet altitude in Virginia.
New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rather rare.
Two-Leaved Lady’s Slipper—Stemless Pink Moccasin-Flower
The specific name, acaule, refers to the lowly and humble (acaulescent), growth of the species, since the flower is stemless, arising from a short or subterranean stem.
Sphagnous bogland, conifer or mixed woodland orchid with fleshy-fibrous roots. May 19th-June 20th.
Flowers large, pink-purple, solitary, terminal, stemless. Labellum shoe-shaped, 2-2½ inches long, bi-lobed, pendulous, with closed fissure down its whole length, edges inflected, downy interiorly; pink-purple with darker veining of purple. (Rarely pure white flowers occur, with chrome yellow sepals and petals.) Sepals and petals brown-purple and green, shorter than labellum; two lower sepals wholly united. Stem very short, obscured by the basal leaves. Scape naked, 8-18 inches high, single-flowered, terminal. Few instances where two flowers or buds in embryo have occurred. Leaves 2, sheathing the base of peduncle, oblanceolate 3-5 nerved, hirsute and thickened; 6-8 inches long, 2-3 inches wide, resembling the leaves of Orchis spectabilis Linnæus.
Continental Range—From Newfoundland, and Fort Franklin, in latitude 54°-64° North; southward to Lookout Mountain, Mentone, and Cullman, Alabama; westward to northern Indiana, Minnesota, and Kentucky.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, abundant; Massachusetts, abundant; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.
The Pink Moccasin-Flower—The Stemless Lady’s-Slipper. (Cypripedium acaule.)
Showing the structure of the pendulous and bi-lobed labellum, and the processes of the sepals and petals. The lower sepals are wholly united in this species, and less grace or undulation appears than in the Yellow Cypripediums.
Linnæus, 1753
Showy Orchis
The generic name, Orchis, refers to ὄρχις, the son of a rural deity of classical mythology, in whose memory these flowers were designated.
Plants with biennial roots. Anther 1. Labellum connate with base of the column; produced below into a spur. Sepals separate, free to the base, similar in texture to the petals. Flowers small, delicate white and rose-purple, fragrant; in a short terminal spike. Anther-sacs divergent; pollinia granulose, 1 in each anther-sac, which is attached at the base to a viscid disk or gland. Glands enclosed in a pouch. Stem, scape-like, 5-angled, 4-12 inches high. Leaves 2, oblong-obovate, shining, basal, with several bracts above. Roots fleshy-fibrous or tuberous.
Continental Range—There are three reported species of this genus for the Continent. Orchis, as a genus, contains 80 or more species ranging throughout the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, Canaries, and North America.
| North American species | 3 |
| New England species | 2 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 1 |
New England species:
Showy Orchis
The specific name, spectabilis, refers to the beautiful spectacle of a group of these plants in bloom.
Small, damp woodland orchid with fleshy-fibrous roots. April 19th-June 19th.
Flowers fragrant, about 1 inch long, violet-purple mixed with rose-purple and white; 3-6 flowered in a bracted raceme. Labellum divergent, attached to a spur, purple and white. Sepals and petals arching in a galea. Glands enclosed in a pouch or hooded fold. Stem, scape-like, 4-12 inches high, thick, 5-angled. Leaves 2, basal with 1-2 scales below, and foliaceous bracts above sheathing the seed-capsules.
Continental Range—From New Brunswick, Ontario, southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to the Rocky Mountains. Ascends 4000 feet altitude in Virginia.
New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, common.
The Showy Orchis. (Orchis spectabilis.)
The first orchis of the season, showing the hooded fold above the orifice of the spur and the processes of the flowers on the bracted scape.
Small Round-Leaved Orchis
The specific name, rotundifolia, refers to the round leaf of this species.
Small woodland or sphagnous bogland orchid with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 10th-July.
Flowers white, rose-purple, flecked with deeper purple, ½-⅔ inch long, subtended by bracts; raceme 2-6 flowered. Labellum 3-lobed, white, purple-spotted, longer than petals, central lobe largest, two-lobed or notched at the summit; spur slender, shorter than labellum. Sepals and petals oval, rose-color. Glands enclosed. Stem slender, 8-10 inches high. Leaf 1 near the base, orbicular or oval, 1½-3 inches long, and 1-2 inches wide, sheathing scales below.
Continental Range—Rare; from Greenland, southward throughout Canada, in latitude 55°-56° North in British Columbia, Rocky Mountain region to Bristol Swamps, Addison County, Vermont, and Norfolk, Connecticut (?).
New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, not reported; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, doubtfully reported.
Willdenow, 1805
Rein Orchis—Naked Gland Orchis
The generic name, Habenaria, comes from habena, a thong or rein.
Leafy-stemmed plants. Anther 1. Glands naked. Labellum spreading or drooping, with a spur at base. Sepals and petals free, similar in structure and color. Anther-sacs parallel; pollinia without caudicles, powdery or granulose. Flowers mostly in a spiked raceme, various in colors, ornamented with spurs, fringed petals and throats. Fragrance delicate and exquisite in several species. Leaves 1-many, lanceolate, becoming bract-like above. In two species—H. orbiculata (Pursh) Torrey and H. Hookeriana A. Gray—the leaves are orbicular and basal, with or without bracts above. Roots thick, fibrous, tuberous or palmate. Seedlings appear numerous in many stations.
Continental Range—A genus containing about 450-500 species for the world, widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions in Europe, Asia, and America. There are 50-55 species on the continent of North America north of Mexico.
| North American species north of Mexico | 50-55 |
| New England species | 18 |
| Hoosac Valley species | 13-16 |
New England species:
Large Round-Leaved Orchis—Heal-All—Shin-Plasters
The specific name, orbiculata, refers to the round or orbicular leaves of this plant.
Tall spiked woodland orchid, with thick fibrous roots. June 17th-July 15th-August 5th.
Flowers greenish-white, many in spiked raceme. Labellum oblong-linear, white, spur long. Sepals and petals ⅓ to ½ as long as labellum. Sepals spreading, petals smaller. Stem or scape 1-2½ feet high, bracted, occasionally producing one small stem-leaf. Leaves 2, basal, large, round, flat-lying, 4-7 inches in diameter.
Continental Range—Not uncommon, but scarcely abundant, from Newfoundland, British Columbia, Lake Superior, southward to the western mountains of North Carolina; westward to Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, occasional; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rather rare.
Small, Round-Leaved Orchis—Hooker’s Orchis
The specific name, Hookeriana, refers to Sir J. Hooker, who studied this orchid and in whose honor Dr. Gray designated it.
Damp, hilly woodland orchid with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 10th-August 22d.
Flowers many, subtended by small bracts in spiked raceme, yellowish-green; spike 4-8 inches long. Labellum linear-lanceolate, acute ⅓-½ inch long. Sepals and petals greenish, spreading; petals awl-shaped ⅓ inch long. Stem 8-18 inches high, not bracted. Leaves 2, oval, obovate, or orbicular, slightly ascending, 3-6 inches long.
Continental Range—From Nova Scotia, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, southward to New Jersey and Pennsylvania, westward to Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, occasional; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.
Small Oblong-Leaved Orchis
The specific name, oblongifolia, refers to the oblong leaves.
Damp, hilly woodland orchid with fleshy-fibrous roots. June-August.
Flowers many in spiked raceme, yellowish-green similar or identical with the spike of flowers of H. Hookeriana. Stem 8-18 inches high, not bracted. Leaves 2, oblong, ascending.
Continental Range—In similar situations with H. Hookeriana and H. orbiculata, from Nova Scotia (Macoun) Campbellton, New Brunswick, (Chalmers), Chelsea Mountains, Quebec (Fletcher’s Flora, Ottawa); southward to New York (Paine and Dudley), New Jersey (Mrs. Britton), and throughout New England States; westward to Iowa.
A Group of Three Species of Genus Habenaria. 1. The Tall Northern Green Orchis. (Habenaria hyperborea.) 2. The Tall Northern White Orchis. (Habenaria dilatata.) 3. The Large Round-Leaved Orchis. (Habenaria orbiculata.)
Sub-Alpine Greenish Bog-Orchis
The specific name, obtusata, refers to the obtuse or blunt sepals and labellum of this species.
Small sub-alpine bogland orchid, with fibrous roots. June 22d-July 30th-September.
Flowers, greenish-yellow in loose spiked raceme 1-2½ inches long; flowers ¼ inch long. Labellum blunt or obtuse, deflexed, entire. Lateral sepals spreading, oblong and obtuse. Petals shorter, obtusely 2-lobed at base. Stem slender, not bracted, 4-10 inches high, 4-angled. Leaf 1, basal, obovate.
Continental Range—From Alaska, southward throughout Canada to Mt. Wachusett, Massachusetts; westward to Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado.
New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, very rare; Mt. Wachusett (Dr. G. E. Stone); Mt. Washington (Henry Baldwin); Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, not reported.
Tall Green Northern Orchis
The specific name, hyperborea, refers to the species being tall and a boreal or northern orchid.
Cold bogland or damp woodland orchid, with thick fleshy roots. May 30th-July 28th-August 18th.
Flowers small, greenish-yellow, on bracted spike 3-8 inches long; infrequent, said to be constructed for self-fertilization, if insects fail to visit the flowers. Labellum lanceolate, obtuse, and entire. Sepals and petals obtuse, ovate, ⅙-¼ inch long; upper sepal crenulate at apex. Stem tall, stout, leafy, 8 inches to 3 feet high. Leaves many lanceolate, acute. Seed-capsule much twisted.
Continental Range—From Greenland, Yakutat Bay and eastern part of Kadiak Island and vicinity of Sitka, Alaska, to Fort Franklin; southward to Pennsylvania and New Jersey; westward to Minnesota, Montana, Washington, New Mexico, and California. This species is closely allied with the Tall White Fragrant Bog-Orchis (H. dilatata). The latter, however, is not constructed for self-fertilization. Several species of Habenaria appear to intergrade with each other more or less throughout their range.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, abundant; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rare.
Intermediate Bog-Orchis
The specific name, media, refers to the intermediate form of this species between H. hyperborea and H. dilatata.
A tall bogland orchid, with fleshy roots. June-August.
Flowers greenish-purplish, spike densely flowered; it has often been confused with H. hyperborea and H. dilatata, which it closely resembles. Type specimen from Quebec. Labellum lanceolate, entire, obtuse, slightly dilated at the base; spur exceeding the labellum, curved and obtuse. Sepals ovate-oblong; petals lanceolate, obtuse. Stem 16 inches to 2½ feet high, rather stout. Leaves lanceolate, acute. Seed-capsule ⅖ inch long.
Continental Range—In bogs from Quebec, southward to New York and New England.
New England Range—There are no authoritative stations reported as yet, although the author collected intermediate forms of H. hyperborea in Dimmick Swamp, Pownal, Vermont, July, 1903, answering to Dr. Rydberg’s descriptions of this form. It is also reported by Marcus White and A. LeRoy Andrews for Pownal Swamps.[71]
Tall White Northern Orchis
The specific name, dilatata, refers to the dilated condition of the labellum of this orchid.
A tall slender or stout bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous or tuberous roots. June 2d-August 23d.
Flowers white, small, in a densely flowered spike 2-10 inches long. Slightly fragrant. Not constructed for self-fertilization as the closely allied species H. hyperborea. Labellum entire, dilated, or obtusely 3-lobed at base. Spur blunt and incurved. Sepals ovate, obtuse, and small. Stem slender, often stout, inferring that an intermediate form exists, which Dr. Rydberg has designated specifically as fragrans. Leaves lanceolate. Seed-capsule much twisted.
Continental Range—From Ankow River, Ocean Cape, Alaska, and Unalaska in latitude 60° North; southward to Litchfield, Connecticut, Amherst, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania; westward to Minnesota, Wyoming, Colorado, also occurring in the cañons of Clear Water Valley, Idaho.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rare.
The Spikes of Habenaria. (Habenaria Andrewseii and Habenaria psycodes.)
Fragrant Slender Bog-Orchis
The specific name, fragrans, refers to the exquisite fragrance of this species, which is so closely allied with H. dilatata and of which it appears to be a form.
Slender bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. July.
Flowers small, pure white, very fragrant; in a slender spiked raceme. Labellum narrowly linear, dilated at the base, obtuse, shorter than the curved filiform spur; otherwise as the preceding species. Sepals lanceolate, acutish, strongly striate. Stem very slender and leafy above, 8-12 inches high. Leaves linear, several.
Continental Range—Reported from a single station in Vermont. Slender forms of H. dilatata, very fragrant and slightly so, are present in the bogs of Pownal, Vermont, and North Adams, Massachusetts, where the writer has collected them, believing that they were forms brought about by the intergrading of the bogland Habenarias closely associated. Species of Habenaria appear to produce natural hybrids readily.[73]
New England Range—Vermont.
Long Bracted Orchis
The specific name, bracteata, refers to the long bracts, subtending the seed-capsules of this species.
A slender bracted bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. May 8th-July 14th-August 12th.
Flowers small, greenish, in a loosely flowered spike, 3-5 inches long, subtended by long bracts. Labellum long, spatulate 2-3 toothed or lobed, twice as long as sac-like spur. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, spreading, dilated, at base; petals very narrow, threadlike. Stem leafy, slender, or stout, 6 inches to 2 feet high. Leaves lanceolate, oval.
Continental Range—From Sitka and Unalaska to the Great Plains, approaching the Rocky Mountains in latitude 55° North; southward throughout New England to North Carolina; westward to Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Montana.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rather rare.
Small Yellowish Bog-Orchis—Small Wood-Orchis
The specific name, clavellata, refers to the club-shaped appendages of stigma or clavate spur attached to the flowers of this species.
A small bogland or woodland orchid, with fibrous roots. May 17th (Missouri), June (Alabama); July 15th-August (Maine).
Flowers small greenish-yellow, in a loosely flowered spike ½-2 inches long. Labellum dilated, 3-toothed at apex; spur longer than ovary, clavate. Sepals and petals ovate. Stem 8-18 inches high. Leaf 1, near the base, 1-3 bracts above.
Continental Range—From Lake Huron, Newfoundland, southward to Alabama; westward to Indiana, and Missouri. Ascends 6000 feet altitude in North Carolina.
New England Range—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, frequent; Connecticut, frequent.
The Small Bog. (Habenaria clavellata.)
Tubercled Orchis
The specific name, flava, comes from the Latin flavous, referring to the yellow flowers of this orchid.
A damp meadow or sphagnous woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. May (Florida), June 5th-August 25th (New England).
Flowers dull greenish-yellow, small, in a spiked raceme. Labellum entire, crenulated with obtuse tooth on each side, and a central tubercle at middle of base. Sepals and petals roundish, ¼ inch long. Sepals yellowish. Stem stout leafy 1-2 feet high. Leaves elliptic, acute; bracts longer than seed-capsule.
Continental Range—From Crow River, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada, southward to Alabama and the wooded Tidal Swamps, Duval County, Florida; westward to Minnesota and Missouri.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, occasional; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.
Yellow-Fringed Orchis
The specific name, ciliaris, refers to the fringed labellum, from the Latin ciliate,—beset with cilia or hairs, like eyelashes fringing the eyelids.
A tall, wet, sandy meadow or pine barren orchid, with small fibrous roots. June-July 7th-August 14th.
Flowers large, showy, orange-yellow, fringed, in a many-flowered, spiked raceme, 3-6 inches long; nearly 3 inches broad. Labellum oblong and fringed. Sepals orbicular to ovate; lateral sepals reflexed; spur 1-1½ inch long, very slender; petals toothed, oblong, much smaller. Stem slender, leafy, 1-2½ feet high. Leaves lanceolate, 4-8 inches long, becoming bract-like above.
Continental Range—From Essex County, Canada, southward to New England, the pine barrens of New Jersey, Alabama, and Florida; westward to Illinois and Nebraska. The fringed Habenarias are among our most beautiful native orchids, gracing lake-side solitudes with their flame-like spikes of purple, white, or orange.
New England Range—Maine, not reported; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.
White-fringed Orchis
The specific name, blephariglottis, refers to the fringed throat of this orchid.
A slender bogland orchid, in similar situations with H. ciliaris, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June (Alabama)-July 23d-August (New England).
Flowers pure white, in a loosely and many-flowered spiked raceme, smaller than those of H. ciliaris, with which it seems to intergrade. Labellum narrow, oblong, slightly fringed. Petals toothed or sparsely fringed. Stem leafy, slender, 1-2 feet high.
Continental Range—From Newfoundland southward to New England, North Carolina, and Alabama; westward to Minnesota. Intermediate forms between the Yellow-Fringed and the White-Fringed Habenarias are probably natural hybrids, as they are closely associated in their haunts during July and August, the hybrid usually being of a lighter yellow, blooming slightly earlier than the type species.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, infrequent; Connecticut, rare.
Cream-fringed Orchis
The specific name, holopetala, refers to the petals being complete, entire.
A small bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. July-August.
Flowers beautiful, smaller than in preceding species, cream, or lighter yellow than H. ciliaris. Labellum sparingly fringed. Petals narrower and entire. Stem 1 foot high. Leaves similar to type species H. blephariglottis and H. ciliaris.
Continental Range—From Canada southward to Alabama, North Carolina, in company with H. blephariglottis.
New England Range—Refer to range of H. blephariglottis for New England.
Ragged-Fringed Green Orchis
The specific name, lacera, refers to the lacerate or ragged and torn appearance of the fringed labellum of this species.
A bogland, meadow, or woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 20th-July 15.
Flowers greenish-yellow, in loose-flowered spike, 2-6 inches long. Labellum 3-parted, deeply fringed or ragged. Sepals ovate, obtuse, upper one broader than lower ones. Stem slender or stout, leafy, 1-2½ feet high. Leaves lanceolate, 5-8 inches long; bract-like above.
Continental Range—From Nova Scotia southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota and Indiana.
In Thompson’s Swamps, Pownal, Vermont, this species intergrades with H. psycodes and H. clavellata. The hybrids, or those crossed with H. psycodes produce flowers with light purple, and less fringed than in the true type of H. lacera; while those crossed with H. clavellata are much less ragged fringed than in the type form of H. lacera, although in a much smaller spike, with nearly white or creamy-green flowers, resembling a large spike of H. clavellata.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, frequent; Connecticut, common.
Large Purple-Fringed Orchis—Long Purples—Dead-Men’s Fingers—Dead-Men’s Thumbs
The specific name, grandiflora, refers to the grand flowers of this species; the most beautiful among the bogland Habenarias.
Tall, damp woodland or bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous or palmate roots. June-July 22d-August 16th.
Flowers lilac or deep purple, fragrant in densely-flowered spiked raceme; 3-15 inches long; 1-2½ inches broad. Rarely white flowered spikes occur. Labellum 3-parted, ½-1 inch broad; ½ inch long, deeply fringed. Sepals and petals connivent, somewhat toothed. Spur 1-1½ inch long, clavate. Stem leafy, 1-5 feet high. Leaves numerous, oblong, 4-10 inches long, 1-3 inches wide; bract-like above.
Continental Range—From Nova Scotia southward to North Carolina; westward to Wisconsin and Michigan.
New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, frequent; Connecticut, common.
Small Purple-Fringed Orchis—Long Purples—Dead-Men’s Fingers—Dead-Men’s Thumbs
The specific name, psycodes, comes from the Greek psychoda, a butterfly, probably referring to the dainty poise of the fringed, and winged-petaled flowers.
Tall bogland or damp woodland orchid, with fleshy or palmately-tuberous roots. July 1st-August-September.
Flowers pink-purple, rarely white, very fragrant in densely flowered spiked raceme, 2-6 inches long; 1-1½ inches broad. Labellum 3-parted, fan-shaped, fringed, ⅓-½ inch broad, much smaller and often confused with the larger species (H. grandiflora). Sepals and petals similar in texture, lower sepals ovate, upper one narrower. Petals oblong, toothed on upper margin. Spur clavate at apex. Stem leafy, 1-3 feet high.
Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Lake Huron southward to the swampy meadows in the western mountains of North Carolina; westward to Minnesota in tamarack sphagnous swamps.
New England Range—Maine, very common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, frequent.
Andrews’ Rose-Purple Orchis
Habenaria psycodes × lacera White and Andrews, Rhodora 3:245-248, 1901
The specific name, Andrewseii, refers to the species being named in honor of Dr. A. LeRoy Andrews, who described this species as a varietal form of H. psycodes × lacera. The species was first discovered and collected by Mr. Marcus White, July 22, 1899.
Tall bogland orchid, with fleshy roots. July 22d-August 16th.
Flowers white, to rose-purple. Labellum about ⅓-½ inch broad, divisions deeply cleft as in Habenaria lacera, yet more numerous. Sepals round-oval, obtuse. Petals cuneate-spatulate and denticulate above. Arms of column slightly acute, similar to Habenaria psycodes. Pollen stalked, greenish-yellow, somewhat 2-lobed, not obstructing the orifice of nectary, as observed in Habenaria lacera. Spur longer than ovary, clavate, much enlarged below. Ovary intermediate or rather short. Stem leafy, 1-2½ feet high. Raceme of flowers not as broad as in Habenaria psycodes, but more nearly resembling the spike of Habenaria lacera in form, yet fewer-flowered. Leaves several, as in Habenaria lacera.
Continental Range—Pownal Swamps, southwestern Vermont; no other station appears to be reported for this natural hybrid of the Purple-Fringed and Ragged Orchises (H. psycodes and H. lacera), yet it appears to be flourishing and increasing in numbers in its special haunts.
New England Range—Vermont, rare; Pownal Swamps August 5, 1901 (Marcus White and A. LeRoy Andrews); August 10-16, 1903 (Grace G. Niles).