The Best of Flora-Quest 2011

As promised I'm here to deliver to you, my faithful readers some botanical eye candy from the very fun and exciting Flora-Quest.  I know I'm over a week late but there's just never enough free time in my life between school, botanizing out in the field and doing this blog.  However I was able to squeeze in some time to sit down and put this post together for your enjoyment!  So without further postponement here are a few wildflowers close to my heart seen during this fantastic botanical excursion.  Does anyone like Orchids? :)

Iris verna

Iris verna

I think it's only appropriate I start off the beauty contest with Flora-Quest's official 2011 plant mascot, the Dwarf Iris (Iris verna).  I snapped these photographs just as the morning's first rays of sunlight washed over the dew covered plants.  This particular species of Iris is threatened in Ohio; only being found in the three southernmost counties of Adams, Lawrence and Scioto.

Iris verna

Iris verna

Dwarf Iris is quite the contrast from its other brethren when you consider its habitat requirements.  Most species of Iris are most commonly found growing alongside the banks and low terraces of streams and ponds but Iris verna occurs in the dry, acidic soils of Oak woodlands and sun-baked, open ridgetops.  There's just something mesmerizing about this species and its remarkable colors/patterns, I just couldn't take my eyes off it.

Iris cristata

Iris cristata

This is another woodland Iris native to our state, the Crested Dwarf Iris (Iris cristata).  Much more frequent than its aforementioned cousin, you can find it growing in forested stream valleys and ravine embankments throughout southern Ohio.  Iris cristata is a very short bloomer, its gorgeous and delicate flowers rarely lasting for more than a few days.  So whenever you come across a patch of these alongside a babbling brook in the dappled sunlight, take the time to admire their short-lived beauty.

Cypripedium acaule

Cypripedium acaule

Ah, it's orchid season once again in the hills of southern Ohio and not a moment too soon!  This very wet spring has caused some amazing displays of our native woodland orchids so you won't find me complaining too much about all the precipitation.  First up and an instant show-stopper was the Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) coming up en masse in a Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana) stand.

Cypripedium acaule

Cypripedium acaule

Also known as Moccasin Flower, the labellum or 'slipper' of this species of Cypripedium is quite different from the other four species found within our state lines.  It almost looks as if someone decided to discard their big wad of chewing gum on the end of a green stem.  This particular orchid prefers Ohio's dry, acidic upland conifer and Oak forests but is also found in sphagnum bogs as well.

Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens

Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens

 

Another Lady's-slipper that blooms around this time is the Large Yellow Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens).  You wouldn't think that roadsides would make for a prime place to observe and photograph this charming plant but a secluded, dirt road inside the depths of Shawnee Forest provided this stunning clump shown above.  A thorough hike through southern and southeastern Ohio's rich forested hollows could reward you some of these orchids in late April and May.  The other variation of this species, the Small Yellow Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum) is critically endangered in Ohio and is down to just a handful of plants.  I'll be bringing you this rare, life species in the next week or so when I make the trek to its secretive haunt!

Prosartes maculata

Prosartes maculata

 

While not an orchid, this species is just as glamorous and equally as rare.  This is Nodding Mandarin (Prosartes maculata), a life plant for me that has escaped my camera lens the past couple years due to its very short blooming time.  The wait was certainly worth it as this is one of the most striking and beautiful wildflowers spring has to offer.  It’s six, snow white petals are delicately dotted with purple specks and surround the long, thread-like filaments each adorned with a large pale gold anther.  How could you not love this flower?

Isotria verticillata

Isotria verticillata

 

Another very finicky and fickle orchid on my life list was the Whorled Pogonia (Isotria verticillata).  After some searching on my hands and knees in an Oak woodland, carefully looking between the Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) bushes and Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) I spotted one in bloom, and then another, and another!  In the end over 20 plants were showing off their very unique flowers that look like some ancient mythical creature of Greek legend.  Making the chase even more challenging was the abundance of Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) growing in the same area.  Both are strikingly similar in their respective vegetative forms of tall, straight stems topped with a whorl of leaves.  A lot like mushroom hunting, once I saw one I. verticillata and got the eye for it the rest quickly came out of the woodwork.

Bignonia capreolata

Bignonia capreolata

Another rare species high on my 'hit list' this spring was the captivating Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata).  Much more common to the southern states, it barely makes it north across the Ohio River and only occurs in a handful of river counties.  This particular population seemed to be thriving on its south-facing rock cliff along the Ohio River.  You might notice some familiarity with the flowers of the Crossvine.  The common and sometimes weedy Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) is a closely related species, both occurring in the Bignoniaceae family.  Maybe it's because it's a new face and friend to me but I much prefer the Crossvine's flowers.  The striking red corollas fringed with a gold-yellow colored lip really create quite the visual experience.

Galearis spectabilis

Galearis spectabilis

To wrap up this picturesque posting about some of my favorite species observed during Flora-Quest weekend 2011 is the quaint and relatively common Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis).  Of all the orchids taking advantage of this wet season its the Showy Orchis that seems to be ahead of the rest.  I've never seen so many in bloom in my favorite haunts around Athens County, which is a very welcome sight to see!  Its Latin genus name of Galearis translates to "helmet-like", referring to the purplish-pink hood over the orchids male/female fused column, while the scientific epithet means "showy or spectacular" which this flower most certainly is.  Sometimes it really is all in the name!

I apologize again for the time lapse in-between the event and this post but better late than never!  I hope you enjoyed!  I have quite a few fun and visually stimulating topics planned for the future so continue to tune in!