A Rare Orchid on the Prairies

Late June.  When the heightened humidity begins to make your clothes stick and the hum of annual cicadas rings in your ears; when the sun seems to hang motionless in the western sky and the raspberries are just about ripe, I know it's time to make my annual pilgrimage to a very special slice of Ohio.

E. Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea)

In a wet sedge meadow that seems no different than the rest but for a few short weeks each summer lives one of North America's most rare and spectacular of orchids: the eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea). I've posted on this site and species in years past but it deserves a breath of fresh air and some more attention as one of your blogger's most treasured of plants.

Lone orchid among the sea of sedges, forbs, and willows

In the past few years a few willow species (Salix discolor, S. eriocephala, and S. interior) have aggressively invaded and taken over the previously woody-free meadow.  This added competition combined with the stress from heat and drought of summers past had the prairie fringed orchids bloom much less vigorously than in previous seasons.  What two years ago was a profusion of blooming orchids, this section had only one flowering plant that I could locate.

E. Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea)

That being said there was still quite a few specimens in stupendous shape if you knew where to look.  Finding and enjoying their beauty pre-settlement wouldn't have been too hard a task throughout the fen and wet prairie regions of Ohio and the mid west/great lake states.  Being a life long fan of Big Ten football and basketball, I nicknamed this the "Big Ten orchid" for almost its entire geographical range occurring within states that are home to a conference's campus.

Closer look at their charming individual flowers

Within its wet prairie/meadow/marsh, fen, and shoreline habitats, prairie fringed orchid can grow upwards of four feet tall and contain well over 20 greenish-cream flowers spiraled around its stalk.  Each individual flower is about the size of a quarter and has its lower lip (labellum) deeply cut in a fringed fashion; almost as if the wind had shred and tattered tissue paper.  Their scent is light and faintly detectable by day but intensifies at night when its hawk and sphinx moth pollinators are most active and in the hunt for a nectar snack.

Handful of orchids peaking out above the sedges and grasses

I could witness these wondrous summer rarities every summer for the next 50 years and each meeting would be as precious and held dear as the last.  For your blogger nothing beats the sight of the prairie fringed orchids dancing in the warm summer breezes and their cream, waxy flowers gleaming in the sunlight.  There's little comparable to seeing their conspicuous wands contrasted against the surrounding green vegetation and brilliant sapphire sky.

A lovely pair of prairie fringed orchids

It may be hard to believe but the plant on the left in the photograph above could very well be older than I am. Fred Case, a brilliant botanist and master of North America's orchids recorded some plants eclipsing 30 years in age as an individual.  That's a lot of time, energy, and luck that has gone into an orchid that has evaded and escaped drought, flood, disease, browsing, and any kind of negative habitat change.  Just another reason to respect and appreciate these orchids not just for their looks but for their brawn as well.

E. Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea)

One of the more fun aspects to writing and publishing this blog is the opportunity to bring rare and unusual plants and habitats/ecosystems (like the prairie fringed orchid) home to those who cannot see or experience it for themselves.  I do my best to bring these topics and photos to life on your computer monitors and have you travel vicariously into the field with me; especially at sites and places as sensitive and secret as the prairie fringed orchids.

Orchid hiding alongside a spotted joe-pye weed (Eupatoriadelphus maculatus)

It really does seem like just the other day I was alongside these very orchids, admiring their physical charm and ghostly appearance like I am again a year later.  Even more difficult to believe is July is upon us again with so many more wonderful wildflowers and orchids to grace our landscape with their presence.  But you can't have July before you have the prairie fringed orchids knocking on the summer solstice's door once more...

Fate and a Tiny Orchid

A few summers ago I headed out on a seemingly routine hike through one of my favorite areas of Zaleski state forest in Athens county.  Comprised of nearly 27,000 acres, Zaleski is choked full of interesting habitats and flora with a few hidden rarities and surprises within its borders.  The particular spot I decided to explore is a nameless, deep hollow that branches off from a small stream valley and splits two parallel-running ridges; each with its own unique plant communities and diverse species compositions.  I opted to follow a lightly-worn deer path along the upper slopes of the southwest-facing ridge to scout out what summer wildflowers were in bloom and perhaps come across something new.  I'd walked the same expanse of mature deciduous forest many times before and had quickly grown to appreciate and love its undisturbed appearance and peaceful atmosphere.

I slowly weaved my way through the mixed forest of chestnut, black and white oaks, sourwood, serviceberry, and red maple; keeping my eyes carefully peeled for anything out of the ordinary.  The ground was covered in a surprisingly rich mosaic of vegetation accustomed to the xeric and acidic underlying soils.  Reindeer lichen and an assortment of moss species carpeted the ground, cushioning my light footsteps as they fell.  The waning late-afternoon sun filtered through the canopy and dappled the forest floor in intense beams of warm light.  Not even the thick air, heavy with humidity could spoil the tranquility of the place.

I eventually came to notice that one of my boot laces had come undone sometime during the hike and decided to stop and take care of the matter.  I slide my camera equipment off my back and knelt down to re-tie the laces when out of my peripheral vision I noticed an intriguing sprig of green growing  a few feet away in a large patch of moss just at the edge of the rock ledge.  It was quite small, only four or five inches in height but different enough to have caught my eye.  I leaned in closer and with a shocked smile realized I had made quite the fateful discovery.

Green Adder's-Mouth Orchid  -  Malaxis unifolia

That little green sprig turned out to be the relatively rare and minuscule green adder's-mouth orchid (Malaxis unifolia).  I sat back in disbelief at the randomness of the find and couldn't help but ponder the odds of choosing that very spot and moment to fix my laces.  These orchids are already notoriously hard enough to see and locate under the darkened canopy and overgrown ground cover in its early July woodland home, let alone their green color and miniature size.  Not the best of combinations for discovery but the increasing difficulty makes it all the more exciting!

Green Adder's-Mouth Orchid  -  Malaxis unifolia

It may come as little surprise then that this particular orchid is listed as potentially-threatened in Ohio with a limited number of collections and populations throughout the eastern half of the state.  I suspect it could be a lot more common and frequent than current records or knowledge indicates, considering its preferred habitat of dry, acidic mixed deciduous forest is readily available in our state.  Add in its tiny stature, color, and odd blooming time and you have the perfect set up for a vastly overlooked plant.

Each plant rises from a fleshy subterranean corm and produces a single stem topped with a raceme made up of dozens of puny inflorescences gradually maturing and elongating from the terminal cluster.  The scientific epithet of uniflora refers to the single leaf that sheathes the lower half of the stalk.  Despite the numerous individual flowers each plant produces, typically only one or two are successfully pollinated and quickly swell with microscopic seeds.  Looking at the photograph above you can see a single maturing capsule located  along the middle left side of the raceme.

Green Adder's-Mouth Orchid  -  Malaxis unifolia

The green adder's-mouth orchid has the distinction of being Ohio's smallest indigenous species of orchid (in terms of flower size) but that doesn't necessarily translate into little worth or interest.  I find it to be a rather charming and refined species of plant that few are lucky enough to lay eyes on and appreciate first hand.  Next time any of you reading this are hiking in the eastern half of Ohio and find yourself in a dry, acidic mixed oak or upland woods during the mid-summer months keep an eye out for this orchid.  You never know what you may luck into.

In the summers following my initial stumble onto this lone specimen of orchid I have journeyed back each year to get reacquainted with it and spend some more time admiring its unique design and appearance.  I'm happy to report this has been the fourth year in a row it has broken ground and flowered in the same exact spot as year's past.  With a bit of luck this little guy will be around to greet me as an old friend for many summers to come and I can enjoy its company under the mighty oaks and reminisce of our fateful chance encounter on that hot and muggy afternoon in early July...

Southern Kentucky and the Rosebud Orchid

Roasted, toasted, and fried to a crisp.  That about sums up your blogger after spending a day botanizing the steamy hot and humid southern Kentucky county of Laurel this past memorial day weekend.  With high temperatures topping out in the mid 90's and a sticky, saturated feel and look to the air, it wasn't the most pleasant of atmospheres or experiences on the body but boy did the wildflowers make up for any physical discomfort.  I'll be the first to boast about the diverse arrangement of plants my beloved home state supports but any chance to head south into its different habitats, ecosystems, and flora should be quickly taken advantage of.

I made the four hour one-way drive down to the Laurel Lake region with the high hopes of successfully searching out and photographing a species of wild orchid that had slipped through my grasp last year.  While orchid hunting for some other summer-blooming species last July I fortuned upon some specimens of the Rosebud orchid (Cleistes bifaria) in a power line cut within Daniel Boone National Forest.  Unfortunately I was greeted with maturing fruit capsules instead of their highly unique and tropical-looking flowers, so I knew a bit of patience would be needed before being rewarded with their exquisiteness the following May and June.  Fast forward to this past weekend and it was time to give it a go and see what luck nature would bestow upon me this time around.

I decided it would be wise to explore and seek out some other intriguing southern species while in the area and spent the first part of my day slowly driving along some gravel forested roads within the national forest.  The feel was quite similar to my countless experiences within Shawnee state forest or Wayne national but a distinct difference in the plant community's composition is evident; especially when my eye's caught the day's first botanical beauty.

Cumberland Azalea (Rhododendron cumberlandense)

Hiding under the shadows of the leafed-out canopy were the burnt-orange colored flowers of the Cumberland Azalea (Rhododendron cumberlandense).  This was the first time I'd ever laid eyes on this wondrous native shrub and it swiftly made quite an impression on me for its stunning beauty and delicate appearance.  At first glance many are probably tempted to place this under the banner of the flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) for it's comparatively orange-colored blossoms but luckily several characteristics help to distinguish the two.  Cumberland azalea's flowers are smaller and darker colored than the flame azalea's, ranging from burnt orange to blood red.  The Cumberland azalea's leaves are also completely leafed out during antithesis against the flame's leaves just starting to appear.  Notice the flowering time as well to separate the two.  Flame azalea blooms in April through early May while Cumberland azalea typically doesn't flower until early June and into July.

Cumberland Azalea (Rhododendron cumberlandense)

The Cumberland azalea gets its name from its restricted natural distribution to the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee.  It is hardly found elsewhere outside this region with some isolated populations in the northern mountains of Alabama and Georgia as well as western North Carolina and Virginia where it grows on ridges and upland mixed deciduous forest.  It was a real treat to see this uncommon and delightful species just starting to bloom and was a pleasure to add to my growing list of native azalea's I've come across.

White Milkweed (Asclepias variegata)

Growing frequently alongside the forest roads were the showy umbels of the white milkweed (Asclepias variegata) coming into bloom.  Relatively rare and state-listed as potentially-threatened in Ohio at the northern fringe of its range; this southeastern species of the Appalachians and coastal plain becomes much more common the further south you travel.

White Milkweed (Asclepias variegata)

This species is easily one of the most attractive milkweeds with its diagnostic purple ring around the snow white corolla of each inflorescence.  I just wish it was as common an occurrence here in Ohio as it is to the south.  Its habitat preference of rocky, dry upland woods, roadsides and thickets sounds right at home in southern Ohio where it still hangs on in select pockets and locations.

Carolina Thistle (Cirsium caroinianum)

As I made my way to the selective spot for the rosebud orchids, I noticed some tall, aggressive-looking plants topped with purple flowers that one rarely sees back home.  The purple flower heads belonged to the Carolina Thistle (Cirsium carolinianum), a threatened species in Ohio that much like the aforementioned white milkweed, becomes more common the further south you are.  The thistles can be a pain to differentiate and identify to species but the early blooming time; sticky, white-tipped phyllaries; and spineless peduncles helps set this one apart.

Power line cut choked full of botanical goodies

I finally arrived to my premiere destination and reluctantly exited my air conditioned car to hike a shrubby and sun-drenched power line cut choked full of botanical goodies.  Late last summer I posted about the white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia) in a sphagnum seep in this very same location, so it's no surprise it would be home to another fascinating member of Orchidaceae.  

The sun beat down on me as beaded sweat dripped down my back and face; sawbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) clawed and ripped at my shins and pesky clouds of flies and gnats annoyingly buzzed overhead.  They all did their best to break my careful concentration at the vegetation around me, my eyes scanning back and forth in hopes that a blip of pink would catch my gaze.  Was I too late again?  Did the extremely hot temperatures and early start to the year already fry my bounty?  I pushed on as my camera equipment weighed heavier and heavier in the heat with no shade to be had in the open swath of grasses and shrubs.  Suddenly my peripheral vision caught something suspect and my attention narrowed to see that I had indeed lucked out and found the unrivaled splendor of my foray.

Rosebud Orchid (Cleistes bifaria)

Surrounded by taller, maturing vegetation was a small scattering of the rosebud orchids (Cleistes bifaria) in varying degrees of freshness and color.  I slipped off my backpack and sank to my knees to get a closer look and appreciation for this long awaited find.  Of the over 50 taxon of native orchids I've had the pleasure of seeing, none share the same bewildered looks of the rosebud orchid.

Rosebud Orchid (Cleistes bifaria)

Similar to other orchids, the rosebud seems to suggest a beast of myth or legend opening its mouth and waiting for an unassuming victim to come too close.  Looking into the 'throat' of the orchid shows off a gorgeous and delicate display of pink, cream, and yellow lines and shading with the greenish pollinia tucked away inside.  The spreading sepals curl back and vary in color from honey gold to dark brown, adding a fitting crown to this king's head.

Rosebud Orchid (Cleistes bifaria)

The plants only rise about a foot off the ground and can be quite difficult to see among the taller, competing vegetation.  The rosebud orchid prefers well-drained acidic soils in meadows, savannas, and openings in upland mixed oak or pine forests in Kentucky.  It is known to respond well to fires and prescribed burns which help to keep the open and sunny habitat it needs; such as this managed power line cut.  Another species of Cleistes, the larger spreading pogonia (C. divaricata) can be found further towards the Atlantic on the coastal plains in lowland savannas.  It differs from the featured lesser spreading pogonia by having larger flowers that also feature a light fragrance.

Closeup look at the Rosebud Orchid (Cleistes bifaria)

Even sitting in the open under a blistering sun and suffocating humidity wasn't enough to draw my attention away from this remarkable orchid I had long dreamed of seeing in person.  There's just something about the complex beauty and design of these impossibly cool plants that just pushes my botanical buttons like nothing else.  It's just an insatiable drive and passion in searching out and seeing these plants in their natural habitat that keeps me going and I don't see it stopping anytime soon.

Rosebud Orchid (Cleistes bifaria)

After a couple hours getting to know my new friends stunning faces and capturing their portraits with my camera, I slowly sauntered back to my car and proceeded to let the air conditioning blast my face and down a couple bottles of water in an attempt to recover from the southern Kentucky heat.  It was worth the burden indeed as I marked off yet another wild orchid on my list.  I can never get enough of that feeling of accomplishment and wish myself many more in the near and distant future.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers Redux

What a weekend!  Flora-Quest 2012 was a complete success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.  I have a couple blog posts forth coming to share the flora, birds and experiences had by myself and those lucky enough to be along for the ride.  The incredibly early start to spring has yet to slow down and caused for some interesting changes for this year's event.  Most of the traditional regulars and favorites were largely passed or done completely but one low was equaled by the high of having numerous plants never before seen at Flora-Quest in bloom.  I will get into all that here shortly.

I had a hunch Sunday as I packed up to head back to Athens that perhaps I should check on the progression and condition of one of North America's most recently described and most gorgeous native orchids.  Of course it's an orchid; what else could it be if I love it that much right?  I'm thankful I did as I found them in picture-perfect full bloom and begging for my camera's attention.  For my devotees you may remember I did a post on the Kentucky Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense) last spring.  That being said I'm not going to rehash and repeat what can easily be read by clicking right here.  What I would like to do is share a series of photographs I took of these regal and impressive orchids.  If I can't take you there physically then some pictures are the next best thing.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

First up is an aesthetically pleasing group shot of the sensational Kentucky lady's slippers.  This population along a sandy stream in Lewis county, Kentucky is the northern-most known station for these rare plants in the world.  Six plants total broke the soil this year with one bearing two flowers; something new for this year as no plants were double-bloomed last year.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

A shot of the double-flowering stem.  I'd imagine that this is a good sign this particular plant is in good health to use the extra energy in putting forth a second flower.  I couldn't be happier and more thankful that it did.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

Zoomed out shot of four of the plants.  These have the largest flowers of any other North American Cypripedium and can grow up to three feet tall.  They were long thought to be another variety to the C. parviflorum complex by many botanists but size, slight morphological differences and especially habitat choice sets this apart.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

Close up side profile of the inflorescence.  It's not hard to see how this genus of plants got its common name of lady's slippers.  A quick whiff inside the labellum presents your olfactories with a light and pleasing fragrance reminiscent of something sweet.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

Also called the southern lady's slippers for their largely southeastern and gulf states distribution.  The scientific epithet of kentuckiense hails from the first plants being discovered and described from a Kentucky population.  Those first specimens were actually found along the same stream as these pictured here.

Kentucky Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

One last look at the soft lemony-yellow flowers of the Kentucky lady's slippers.  I anxiously awaited another chance to sit down and spend some time with these natural beauties since my last visit with them.  That's the beauty of plants in many ways.  They are like an old friend you see but once a year and have to make the most of it when the time is right.  In the short few years we've known each other our bond has become strong and I look forward to coming back to these plants year after year and catching up with them

Purple Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera peramoena)

As summer winds to its inevitable close I find myself already looking forward to next year's edition.  I've seen a remarkable amount this past season, more than I could ever hope or even try to share with you on here, but a few species still eluded me.  How anyone could ever truly see everything they want in one year is beyond me and I think it's important to miss some just for the sake of something to look forward to as the depths of winter take hold.  Despite the few that remained on the life list plenty more have a very satisfying check mark next to their name.  One wildflower that received an extra bold mark for it's ability to evade my detection the past few years was was the delightful Purple Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera peramoena). 

Purple Fringeless Orchids - Platanthera peramoena

It's becoming more and more evident that perhaps I should change the name of this blog to Ohio's Native Orchids, as my infatuation and deep-rooted love for these wondrous monocots only grows stronger by the day.  I do my best to keep things balanced on the seemingly infinite number of subjects within the vascular plant world but I can't help but keep coming back to orchids.  Ohio has 46 native members of the Orchidaceae family and the purple fringeless is no doubt one of the most remarkable of its kin.

Close up of the individual inflorescences beginning to unfurl

While walking through a wet meadow in Indian Creek Wildlife Area I came across this lone and rather robust plant who's buds were just beginning to break their silence and show off their perfect blooms.  Each flower was easily the size of a quarter and the most rich and brilliant shade of pink I've ever seen.  Part of me was a bit disappointed to have not found the plant in full bloom, however the chance to see a few fully-opened flowers along with buds in varying degrees of unfurling was rather unique.  Each delicately designed and constructed flower beckons its large butterfly and moth pollinating friends to pay a visit and leave with a package of pollen, or pollinia, to share with the next inflorescence it visits.  Hard to imagine any passing Lepidoptera would choose to ignore this beckon of pink in a sea of green.

Purple Fringeless Orchid - Platanthera peramoena

 

Taking a closer look at an individual inflorescence of this orchid reveals the true beauty and design behind the flower itself.  The scientific epithet even plays tribute to this plants beauty.  The latin word 'peramoena' translates to 'very loving' in regards to the flowers stunning and 'lovely' appearance.  It hails from the same genera of its closely related cousins; the Greater and Lesser Purple Fringed orchids (Platanthera grandiflora, P. psycodes).  The purple fringed orchids exhibit an obvious fringe to the central lobe of their lower lips while the purple fringeless only shows a slight 'toothing' around the margin of the lip (hence the name 'fringeless'). 

Purple Fringeless Orchid - Platanthera peramoena

P. peramoena is largely southern in range and can be found predominately in the south-western quarter of Ohio.  This orchid is relatively dependent on moisture and is most commonly found in the wet, mucky soils of meadows, prairies, swamps, lake/stream banks as well as openings in floodplain/wet woods.  It's also known to tolerate moderate disturbance that removes taller, competing vegetation such as trees and shrubs.  It can withstand some amounts of shade however the more sunlight it receives the healthier and more robust the plant appears.  Like many other orchids this species can be very fickle on when it decides to bloom or remain dormant in the ground.  One can never guarantee seeing this plant from one year to the next even if you know exactly where to look.  Here's to hoping next year is a boom year for this species as just this one only added to the drive and thirst to see more!

You can trust to see future posts exhibiting Ohio's native orchids.  As of the day of this publication I have seen 35 of the 46 indigenous species this year alone with the promise of a few more still to go!

Plethora of Platanthera (Orchids)

Geeze...say that tongue-twister blog title five times fast!  After reading this post and enjoying the photographs that accompany it, it won't just be your tongue all knotted up but your eyes as well.  These orchids are sure to grab the attention of even the most inexperienced or mild of botanists, let alone someone as crazy as your blogger.  A couple weekends ago myself and brilliant botanists and great friends Dan Boone and Raymond Cranfill journeyed to the steamy confines of southern Kentucky in search of some stunning summer flora.  I was looking forward to all the possibilities and interesting finds that were sure to happen but I couldn't help but be most excited about the promise of Platanthera orchids!

Our first stop was a place owned and managed by the Kentucky chapter of the Nature Conservancy called Hazeldell Meadow.  This little 32 acre gem is tucked away in the rolling, forested hills of Pulaski county and is Kentucky's only highland rim wet barrens/prairie.  Surrounded by a mature forest of Maple, Beech and Oak is an open field of grasses and wildflowers with a few being quite rare within the state.  We timed our arrival and visit to coincide perfectly with the mass blooming of possibly the eastern United States most breath-taking plant, the Yellow Fringed Orchid (Platanthera ciliaris).

Hazeldell Meadow

Platanthera ciliaris beginning to open

As we came to the edge of the meadow and broke free from the shade and cover of the forest our eyes were met with the most jaw-dropping display of brilliant orange scattered across the opening.  Hundreds if not thousands of yellow fringed orchids were in full bloom and covered with early morning due.  I knelt down to set up the camera equipment and couldn't help but just stare out across the barren and shake my head with amazement.  It's not everyday you get to see something like this; something that gets your heart racing and heads trembling with excitement and pure adrenaline.

Close-up of the fringed flowers

Platanthera ciliaris in full flower

This particular orchid is state-listed as threatened in Ohio where I've seen it growing in select power line cuts of Shawnee state forest.  In Kentucky it's not common but not rare either if you know where to look and Hazeldell Meadow is one of the best.  These really should be called orange fringed orchids considering their sharp color is much, much more reminiscent of orange than yellow.  If you click on the photographs you can see them in a larger resolution.  You can really see the detail of the dew clinging to the inflorescences!

A bird's eye view of the raceme

Absolutely gorgeous!

Platanthera ciliaris grows in a variety of moist, open habitats from meadows, prairies and savannahs to woodlands, flats and roadsides.  Each plant can grow to nearly three feet tall topped with a single raceme of up to 40 individual inflorescences, all deeply fringed and unmistakeably orchid-like.  Orchids never cease to amaze me in their delicacy and unbelievable structure.  How on earth did these plants evolve to have such an amazingly designed flower, each lip so deeply cut and fringed.  Whatever greater power there is out there is truly the greatest botanist of them all!

After plenty of time in the yellow fringed orchid paradise and more pictures than I could count it was time to pile back into the car and make for our next destination.  Lying a bit further to the southeast of Hazeldell Meadow is Daniel Boone national forest, another botanical hot spot full of exciting flora and fauna.  Plus it's not everyday you get to explore its depths with the direct descendent of the man himself.  I count myself among the lucky few to say I've been in Daniel Boone national forest with the Daniel Boone!

Even though I may moan and groan about mankind's unforgiving stain and destruction of the natural world I can't really complain about power line cuts.  There's just something about this man-made habitat that houses countless rare and fascinating plant life.  Really, it's the clearing and opening of the environment that allows these plants to survive and flourish under the strengthened light but for once I can thank our species for its need to conquer by creating and maintaining the opportunity for these plants to exist and persist.

Power line cut in Daniel Boone N.F.

Our sights were set on a specific undulating power line cut that houses one of Kentucky's rarest and most intriguing orchids.  A low-lying point within the cut contained a sphagnum seep which has created a very interesting and specific habitat for many other cool plants along with our desired species.  Stepping into the soggy mat of sphagnum and Sensitive Ferns (Onoclea sensibilis) I was immediately immersed in a world of unique and rare flora and circumstances.  It wasn't long before my eyes began to pick out brilliant white stalks from the surrounding green vegetation.  These belonged to the bounty of my search, the White Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera integrilabia)!

Platanthera integrilabia

Platanthera integrilabia

I obviously have a knack for rare and beautiful plants and it's always a pleasure when the two are combined into such a perfect mixture such as this wildflower.  I'm most versed in Ohio's native orchids but I am always anxious and excited to see any other species indigenous to our continent's substrate.  One of the first things I noticed about this wildflower was its exceptionally long nectar spur.  You'd have to have a pretty darn long proboscis to achieve sweet success from these blooms.  Some people see the face/body of a monkey in this plant which has earned it the other common name of the Monkey-face Orchid.

Platanthera integrilabia is currently under consideration for federal listing as an endangered plant due to its range-wide rarity and fragile ecosystem requirement.  It was once more common in bogs and acidic seepage areas throughout the southern Appalachians but habitat loss and alteration has decimated historical populations.  It is most common on the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky and Tennessee, which is where I happened to meet and greet this remarkable plant.

White Fringeless Orchid

Close-up of its 'monkey face'

The flowers, like many other Platanthera species of orchids, are nocturnally scented to best attract their pollinating moth friends.  I stooped down for a quick whiff but caught only a light fragrance that I'm sure explodes with potency as the sun wanes.  While the sphagnum seep was under an acre in size and beginning to fill with woody plants like River Birch (Betula nigra) and Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata) I estimated well over 200 flowering plants with the number perhaps being closer to 300.  They rarely existed singly but rather in small to large clusters in open areas of the sphagnum and always close to the running spring water carving its way through the seep.  As I admired one of the largest white fringeless plants I'd seen I caught a different Platanthera species blooming from a creeping mat of another very rare Kentucky plant.

Club-spur orchid and S. Bog Clubmoss

Platanthera clavellata

Hiding among the maturing, spore-containing strobili of the endangered Southern Bog Clubmoss (Lycopodiella appressa) were the pale green flowers of the Club-spur Orchid (Platanthera clavellata).  Also known as the Green Woodland orchid, this semi-frequent and charming little plant can be found in a variety of moist and acidic situations.  Despite being one of the more common wetland orchids it is seldom seen by the casual observer.  Its pale green color and small size help it blend in with the bushy and thickly vegetated habitat it prefers to grow in.

After a satisfactory amount of time with the white fringeless and club-spur orchids it was time to search out the last of the Platanthera plants we had our hopes set on seeing.  Once again we would be scanning the ground in a power line cut for another Kentucky threatened species that was sure to steal the show.  Following a bit of searching and some false alarms from the orange glow of neighboring yellow fringed orchids the cherry on top of our botanical sundae came into view, the Yellow Crested Orchid (Platanthera cristata).

Platanthera cristata

Platanthera cristata

At first glance it's not hard to understand someone confusing these with the previously shared P. ciliaris but with a closer look they are easily separated.  While these photographs do nothing to help differentiate the two by size, the yellow crested is about half the dimensions of the yellow fringed.  Everything about this plant is smaller.  Not only are the individual inflorescences tiny but take notice at the amount of fringing of the lip.  Quite a difference from the heavier and deeper cuts of P. ciliaris.  The yellow crested orchid is an Atlantic coastal endemic and much more common as you get into the coastal states of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.  Interestingly, the plant seems to follow the Cumberland Plateau up into Tennessee before just barely slipping into Kentucky; creating arguably the furthest inland populations of the species.

Aerial view of Platanthera cristata

A passing, pollinating mosquito

I've gotten into the habit of taking pictures from above the plant on the Platanthera genera of orchids.  It really gives an amazing vantage of the symmetry and architecturally perfect arrangement of the inflorescences.  As I continued to photograph my favorite of the half dozen plants in bloom, a tiny little mosquito (I think, I'm no entomologist!) landed at the top of the raceme and posed for a shot or two.  For the next few minutes I watched him buzz around to each flower and land on the slightly fringed lip.  He would then climb into the inflorescence in an attempt at a sugary meal.  I say 'he' because if memory serves me right, male mosquitoes feed on the nectar and juices of plants while the females go after mammalian blood.

Thunder began to rumble in the distance with the occasional flash of lighting on the horizon as we loaded up the car and began the three hour journey back to Cincinnati.  I picked a few ticks off my pant leg, wiped the sweat from my brow and let the air conditioning hit my reddened and hot face.  Southern Kentucky on a hot, muggy August day is rarely the best place to spend time during this time of the year but who can pass up on an opportunity to see and photograph some of nature's rarest and most incredible plants?  Certainly not me!  It was worth all the insect bites, caterpillar stings and sweat in the eyes to achieve the reward I sought.  As our car got ever closer to home and further from the days finds I already was looking forward to seeing their gorgeous faces next year!

The Tale of the Three-birds

"Rise up this morning, smile with the rising sun.  Three little birds pitched by my doorstep.  Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true, singing 'this is my message to you-ou-ou...'"  If I didn't know any better I'd say Bob Marley was singing about the rare and lovely Three-birds orchid (Triphora trianthophora) and not the little feathered friends that would greet him each morning to eat the marijuana seeds he would toss as he rolled the day's first joint.  At least that's how the story goes...

This past Sunday I did rise with the morning sun and had a big smile on my face in anticipation for what the day had in store.  I was going to be searching for my very own three little birds only these weren't likely to be found on my doorstep but rather under the dappled sunlight in the depths of an old-growth woods.  I also had the pleasure and good fortune to be accompanying a few of Ohio's most knowledgeable naturalists and fellow nature bloggers on this particular botanical foray.  Warren Uxley, Jim McCormac, author of the wildly popular Ohio Birds and Biodiversity blog and Ohio's very own walking nature encyclopedia was along for the journey as was Cheryl Harner of Weedpicker's Journal fame (scroll over the name of their blogs to activate a link to their respective sites).  In fact, Cheryl is owed all the credit for this experience with her careful study and checking of the population to best predict the right time to see them in full bloom.  My fingers were crossed her instincts were sound!

Can you see them?

Old-growth Sugar Maple/Beech woods

Our destination was an old-growth woods in north-central Ohio which shall remain nameless to better protect this rare species of orchid from the inconsiderate's shovels and hands.  You'd be surprised at the amount of ignorance portrayed by those who dig up wild orchids and think they can transplant them successfully.  Beauties and rarities such as these are best touched with our eyes only.

Spending a day strolling through an ancient woods full of towering leviathans is more than enough fun for a big tree lover like myself.  American Beech, Sugar Maple, Tuliptree, Red Oak and Basswood of remarkable proportions emerged from the deep, rich soil like solid pillars of a Greek temple, holding high the ceiling of emerald leaves.  As we entered a section dominated by Beech and Sugar Maple, Cheryl hinted that we were getting close.  A couple minutes later Jim pointed out a slightly raised and flat area of the woods and said, "That seems like the perfect spot for Triphora!".  Cheryl was quick to smile and say that's exactly where we were to look.  Didn't I tell you Jim was good?

Triphora trianthophora

Triphora trianthophora

My footsteps became light and carefully planned as my heartbeat and pulse raced faster.  My eyes meticulously scanned the leaf littered ground looking for any hint or sign of the dainty and miniscule orchid.  Suddenly my eyes fixated on a sunbeam hitting the ground, illuminating a small white object near the base of an ancient Sugar Maple.  Could it be...or was the sun just playing games with my eyes?  As I moved in for a closer look the glare lessened and a small clump of the Three-birds orchid in full, perfect bloom appeared.  My jaw dropped as I slowly sank down to my knees.  This was the first time I'd ever laid eyes on this spectacular plant and every second was worth the wait.  Scattered in a ring around the Sugar Maple was over 100 Triphora plants in varying sized groups and all in full bloom.  Cheryl could not have timed them any better!

Large clump of Three-birds orchid

Triphora trianthophora

Only growing 6-7" tall with tiny, mouse-ear sized leaves, the Three-birds orchid has single axillary flowers with 3-4 per plant on average.  The nickle-sized flowers can range from pure white like these to a soft pink color.  Each flower's throat is colored with the most unique shade of green that acts as runway lights directing incoming pollinators.  Looking further past the green patch on the lip is the purple colored pollinia.  Pollinia is orchid-speak for the packages of pollen that insects pick up and transfer to the next flower, thus pollinating it.  Most literature states these delicate beauties are primarily pollinated by bees from the Halictidae family.

Triphora trianthophora

Triphora trianthophora

Not only is the sheer beauty and mesmerizing architecture of this orchid of particular interest to me but also this plant's life history and story.  The first peculiar thing on the list is its habitat and bloom time.  Most orchids are known for their sensitive light needs, quickly disappearing in shaded conditions.  This orchid grows as a saprophyte in the rich humus of American Beech and Sugar Maple forests until about late July/early August.  Trying to find evidence of this orchid is impossible before this point.  The plant then sends up a very small and slender green stalk accompanied with three buds.  A combination of soil moisture and a drop in nighttime temperature seems to trigger this response from the plant.  It's also theorized this plant reacts to a specific amount of daylight in the days prior to flowering.  By early to mid August the first set of buds break their vow of silence and reveal their intricate beauty to the world.  All the flowers on every plant do this at the exact same time in an area, creating a sight too incredible for words especially if you find an exceptionally large patch.  This habit of mass blooming ensures the best odds of as many flowers being pollinated as possible.

The 'three birds' in flight

Triphora trianthophora

The picture above left really gives the best interpretation of why this orchid got its name.  The three flowers appear like little birds in mid flight.  Upon pollination the flowers begin to wilt and go to seed immediately.  This can sometimes only give someone a few hours to work with when trying to find and especially photograph these flowers.  In a week or so they will bud and bloom again, doing this a few times until by early September all that remains are tiny, brown stalks topped with the maturing seed capsules.  Even these do not last long after releasing their seed and the plant slips back into mystery and legend only to reappear next August.  In subsequent years of a good bloom these plants will go into a period of dormancy.  Unless the exact meteorological conditions are met this plant has no problem with remaining in its subterranean home, only sending up flowering stems when needed and necessary.

I've started to call this plant the 'social orchid' and I think you'll understand why.  Come late July, emails, texts and phone calls begin to go out with the words Triphora trianthophora being whispered back and forth.  The lucky few begin to check on their populations with daily updates in eager anticipation of when they will break bud.  Without people like Cheryl and her gracious help, getting to see these guys goes to the brink of a near impossibility.  This leads to my theory that this rare and potentially threatened plant is more common than currently known and documented.  Not too many people are scouring the darkened forest floors of Beech/Maple woods come early August, let alone on the lucky day they are most noticeable.

Three-birds is found scattered throughout the eastern half of the United States.  It's the only North American Triphora to be found outside of Florida where four other species occur.  Most populations persist in rich and deep soiled, mesic woods comprised of Beech, Sugar Maple, Tuliptree, Red Oak, White Ash and Black Walnut.  It prefers woods with a thick and loose mat of humus from which the plants grow in.  This is probably why our population was found in an old-growth forest where decaying leaf litter is in no short supply.  Remember my post from last winter about Davey Woods old-growth forest in Champaign County?  It really fits the bill when it comes to desirable habitat for this species.  Triphora is recorded from Champaign and Clark counties so it might not be too crazy to think this plant could be hiding somewhere in that exceptional woodland.

Triphora triathophora

Triphora triathophora

You would have thought these little orchids were walking the red carpet in their Oscar's finest attire by the all the shutter clicks and flashes going on under the mighty Beech and Maples.  They certainly seemed to enjoy the company and attention as they beamed their brilliant jeweled white perfection back at our camera sensors.  I know I say just about every other species of orchid is one of my favorites but this one, these three little birds, instantly flew themselves into the top category.  They say the best things in life are free.  As long as these charming little lovlies grace our forests come August, I'd say that saying holds true.

I look forward to Jim and Cheryl's potential posts about this remarkable day as I'm sure they will do their predictably amazing job on bringing our experiences, both shared and separate to your computer screens.  We saw plenty of other fascinating flora and fauna during our hike from juicy caterpillars to egg-laying butterflies.  Perhaps that will make the blogroll on the others but I just couldn't pry myself away from the tale or photographs of this perfect flower.