More Orchids in our Backyards

By Crystal Cockman

July 27,2016

You may remember an article I wrote back in the springtime about orchids in our backyards. Many people do not know we have orchids in our woods here in North Carolina, but we have quite a number of them. This time of year some other species of orchid are in bloom, and here is a list of just a few.

Yellow-fringed orchid (Platanthera ciliaris) are blooming right now and prefer the habitat of hillside seepage bogs, swamps, and seeps. They are bright yellow to orange in color and have fringed lips clustered in racemes. They require open areas of sunlight and so are frequently found on roadsides and in open understory longleaf pine forests. Butterflies pollinate them, especially swallowtails. They bloom from late June through September. Yellow-fringed orchids are native to the eastern and south central United States. They are at risk in some areas from loss of habitat, changing hydrology and collecting, and they are endangered in Michigan.

Another less noticeable species is the Club-spur orchid (Platanthera clavellata). They are also found in boggy areas. These small and delicate flowers have a stalk that can be as tall as 16 inches high. The stalk ends with a floral raceme at the top with 5-20 greenish white flowers. The flowers have long nectar spurs and are twisted to the side, rotated approximately 45 degrees. They are also called Green woodland orchid, small woodland orchid, or green wood orchid. In the absence of cross-pollination, these flowers are self-pollinating, with the pollen germinating in the clinandria and growing down into the stigma. They have a wide range, and are found across central and eastern Canada through the United States west to Texas.

Ragged-fringed orchid (Platanthera lacera) is one species whose name fits its appearance. They are somewhat raggedy to look at, but they are also very delicate and pretty in their own way. They are found across central and eastern Canada and the United States from Manitoba to Georgia. They have up to 60 flowers on the 2 to 6 inch spike at the top of the plant, and the flowers themselves are ½ to ¾ of an inch long and are whitish green to yellowish green in color. It is also an open area wetland plant, and is sometimes found along roadsides.

Nodding ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes cernua) are a species that looks less classically like an orchid. The flowers are white and grow on the upper part of the stem, and they grow in spiraling rows. They are one of few orchids that have a scent. Nodding Ladies’ Tresses can be distinguished from other species in the same genus by the downward curve of its tubular flowers, which gives them a ‘nodding’ appearance.

These are just a few of the orchids blooming now. So next time you are out in the woods keep an eye out for these beautiful wildflowers. Some are easy to spot and others require more effort, but they are all worth venturing out to see.