north american native orchid journal - at The Culture Sheet

NORTH AMERICAN 

NATIVE ORCHID JOURNAL 

Volume 11 2005 

In this issue: 

AN ALBINO ADDER’S MOUTH FROM 

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS 

TWO WEEKS AND 39 ORCHIDS IN WESTERN 

NEWFOUNDLAND 

DID YOU KNOW?? 

Some North American Orchid Factoids 

JEWELS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES 

And from the past… 

SPIRANTHES PARKSII– NAVASOTA LADIES’- 

TRESSES

The North American Native Orchid Journal (ISSN 1084-7332) is an 

annual publication devoted to promoting interest and knowledge 

of the native orchids of North America. A limited number of the 

print version of each issue of the Journal are available upon request 

and electronic versions are available to all interested persons or 

institutions free of charge. The Journal welcomes article of any 

nature that deal with native or introduced orchids that are found 

growing wild in North America, primarily north of Mexico, 

although articles of general interest concerning Mexican species 

will welcome. 

Requests for either print or electronic copies should be sent to the 

editor: 

Paul Martin Brown, 10896 SW 90 th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34481 or 

via email at naorchid@aol.com.

NORTH AMERICAN 

NATIVE ORCHID JOURNAL 

Volume 11 2005 

CONTENTS 

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR 

3 

AN ALBINO ADDER’S MOUTH FROM 

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS 

Paul Martin Brown 

4 


NEWFOUNDLAND 

6 


From the Past… 

requested reprints 

SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL – 

NAVASOTA LADIES’-TRESSES 

Cliff Pelchat 

23 


The Slow Empiricist 

34 

DID YOU KNOW?? 

Some North American Orchid Factoids 


39 

A CASE FOR EVOLUTION 

Stan Folsom 

44

Unless otherwise credited, all drawings in this issue are by Stan Folsom 

The opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the authors. Scientific 

articles may be subject to peer review and popular articles will be examined 

for both accuracy and scientific content. 

Volume 11 pages 1-49; issued October 30, 2005. 

Copyright 2005 by the North American Native Orchid Journal 

Cover: Liparis loeselii by Stan Folsom

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR 

Although a smaller issue than the previous ones the variety 

of articles will interest native orchid enthusiasts. The 2004 field 

season was a banner year for native orchids with the rediscovery 

of four long-lost species (see p. 43) and in 2005 the publication of 

Wild Orchids of South Carolina by Jim Fowler and the updated and 

expanded edition of Wild Orchids of Florida by Paul Martin Brown 

and Stan Folsom scheduled for release in late November. 

Note to the reprint and electronic edition. Did You Know?? on 

page 39 has been updated to August 2006 for these editions. 

Paul Martin Brown, editor

Brown: AN ALBINO ADDER’S MOUTH 

FROM CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS 

AN ALBINO ADDER’S MOUTH 



Malaxis bayardii, Bayard’s adder’s-mouth, is one of the rarest orchids to 

be found in the northeastern United States. Long suffering under confusion 

and synonymy, it was revalidated by Catling in 1991. In Barnstable County, 

Massachusetts, where there were several older records for Malaxis bayardii, there 

is a current colony of upwards to 500 plants. The number seen vary from year 

to year but the area is (somewhat) managed and the plants are very happy. In 

July of 2005 Emily Kellogg observed several plants that lacked all pigment – 

true albinos – not just white flowers. 

Malaxis bayardii forma kelloggiae P.M. Brown form. nov. 

Forma floribus et folia alba conspecibus diversa. 

Differing from the species in that the entire plant, leaves, stem, and flowers, are 

white 

TYPE: U.S.A.: Massachusetts, Barnstable County. Sandwich, growing along old 

woodroad near Peter’s Pond. 4 July 2005 (HOLOTYPE: photograph E. Kellogg, 

North American Native Orchid Journal 11: 5. 2005). 

ENTYMOLOGY: Named for Emily Kellogg, who first observed the form 

Although very rare in North America this lack of pigmentation does 

occur in Epipactis helleborine (Brown, 2004), Platanthera aquilonis (Brown, 2000; 

Light, 1989) and P. brevifolia (Wm. Jennings, pers. comm.) and may very well 

randomly occur in other species. Such mycotrophic genera as Hexalectris and 

Corallorhiza also have white plants but often the flowers have pale yellow 

markings. Cypripedium acaule has been found with white leaves although the 

flowers were typical pink and this condition does not appear to persist annually. 

4

Brown: AN ALBINO ADDER’S MOUTH 


The only genus and species in North America with normally white plants 

lacking in all obvious chlorophyll is Cephelanthera austiniae of the Pacific 

Northwest. After Kellogg’s initial observation additional plants were found by 

Brian Cassie and Brian Podlisny and brought to the author’s attention. Unlike 

some aberrant forms these white plants were pollinated and set seed. Plants of 

Malaxis bayardii flower from late June into August, and appear to be in flower 

much long as the floral parts do not with rapidly as do those on Malaxis unifolia. 

Literature Cited: 

Catling, P.M. 1991. Systematics of Malaxis bayardii and M. unifolia.. Lindleyana 6:3-23. 

Light, M.S.. and M. MacConnail. 1989. Albinism in Platanthera hyperborea. Lindleyana 4(3): 

158-60. 

Acknowledgments: 

In addition to Emily Kellogg, Brian Cassie, and Brian Podlisny , Kent Perkins (FLAS) 

provide literature information. 

Malaxis bayardii forma kelloggiae 

Barnstable County, MA 

Photo by Brian Podlisny 

5

Brown: TWO WEEKS AND 39 ORCHIDS IN WESTERN 

NEWFOUNDLAND 

Looking Ahead to Volume 12 2006 

WILD ORCHIDS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY: 

past, present, and future field guides and floras on 

North American native orchids 

A (NEW) NAME FOR AN (OLD) HYBRID 

And a great deal more…… 

6


NEWFOUNDLAND 


NEWFOUNDLAND 


One of the truly rewarding trips to be taken in North 

America is that of two weeks along the western and northwestern 

coast of Newfoundland, the island portion of the Province of 

Newfoundland and Labrador, in eastern Canada. Newfoundland 

is a large island that is the easternmost outpost of Canada and is 

often known as "The Rock" because of the minimal soils over the 

bedrock that comprises the island. Coastal northwestern 

Newfoundland is essentially limestone and often has large 

exposed barrens whereas many of the southwestern areas are large 

open bogs and marshes. The Appalachian Mountains of North 

America have their northern terminus in Newfoundland and the 

spectacular Gros Morne National Park is one of the gems of the 

national park system. 

Roads are few, but for the most part in excellent repair and 

practically all of the prime orchid sites are roadside areas or quite 

nearby. Getting there requires either flying into St. John's and 

renting a vehicle and then driving across the entire island, which 

can take more than a day, or starting at North Sydney, Nova 

Scotia and taking the ferry across to Channel-Port aux Basques on 

the southwestern tip of the island. I find this preferable, as it is the 

starting point for the trip and it takes less driving time than 

crossing back and forth to St. John's. Regularly scheduled air 

transportation is available to Sydney, as well as car rentals, and it is 

only a short drive to North Sydney to the ferry terminal. 

7


NEWFOUNDLAND 

Some Newfoundland Favorites! 

Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens ‘planipetalum’ ecotype 

Calypso bulbosa var. americana forma rosea 

Cypripedium reginae 

Pseudorchis straminea 

Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. praetermissa 

Platanthera hookeri forma abbreviata 

Platanthera grandiflora forma albiflora 

8


NEWFOUNDLAND 

9


NEWFOUNDLAND 

The ideal time to go is in early July when the northern 

spring is just finishing up in the southern areas and when you 

return two weeks later summer will be in full swing. Our trip 

starts in the port town of Channel-Port aux Basques. After leaving 

the village Route 1 is the only choice for a trip north. Shortly you 

will be within large open boggy areas, which abound with Arethusa 

bulbosa, the dragon's-mouth orchid. Large clumps of showy 

bright pink flowers on 6-8" stems are easy to find along the old 

railroad line that is now a hiking trail. Both the white-flowered 

forma albiflora and the very rare lilac blue flowered forma 

subcaerulea can be found here. This will not be the last of the 

Arethusa that you will see, but these are by far the easiest to get to. 

Only a few kilometers north is the entrance to J.T. Cheeseman 

Provincial Park. Be sure to visit the park and walk the nature trail 

watching for Cypripedium acaule, the pink lady's-slipper, or 

moccasin flower still in bloom. This is the only area where you 

are sure to still find this spring beauty in flower at this time. 

Occasionally the white-flowered form, forma albiflorum may be 

seen. When you return two weeks later this trail will be your last 

stop and will have many orchids in flower including Goodyera 

repens, lesser rattlesnake orchis; Goodyera tesselata, checkered 

rattlesnake orchis; Liparis loeselii, Loesel's twayblade or fen 

orchis; Listera cordata, heart-leaved twayblade, Platanthera 

blephariglottis, northern white fringed orchis; Gymnadeniopsis 

clavellata var. ophioglossoides, northern club-spur orchis; P. dilatata, 

tall white northern bog orchis; P. lacera, green fringed orchis 

or ragged orchis; P. orbiculata, pad-leaved orchis and its 

ecological dwarf forma lehorsii; P. psycodes, small purple fringed 

orchis. often with the frequent forma albiflora; P. xandrewsii, 

Andrews' hybrid fringed orchis; Pogonia ophioglossoides, rose 

pogonia; and Spiranthes romanzoffiana, hooded ladies'-tresses. 

If you have not had enough of the local bogs as you drive 

northward you will soon come to an enormous area on the right 

call Blow Me Down, near a marked area called The Tolt. It was 

here that the trains were blown of the track by the winter winds. 

10


NEWFOUNDLAND 

Again, the dragon's mouth is scattered throughout the bog and 

this time accompanied by both Pogonia ophioglossoides, rose 

pogonia and Calopogon tuberosus, common grass-pink just 

starting to flower. If these two are not quite out yet do not despair 

as you will have thousands of them further north. 

A leisurely drive north will take you to Corner Brook, home of 

Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and a bustling northern city. Many 

good accommodations and restaurants are to be found here. After 

a restful night, the mornings' journey will continue northward 

towards Rocky Harbour and Gros Morne National Park. In Deer 

Lake you will take Route 430 north. It is advisable to drive directly 

to Rocky Harbour, get settled, for you will want several days here, 

and then plan your trips in the area. Comfortable half and full day 

trips may be made to many of the nature trails within the National 

Park and good maps and directions can be found at the park 

headquarters. Orchids can be found on most all of the trails but 

the two major orchid-laden areas at the Lomond Trail off of 

Route 131 west of Wiltondale (you passed it on the way here) and 

the lower elevation section of the Gros Morne Trail. 

Accessed by an excellent boardwalk and trail The Lomond 

Trail has one of the largest populations of the utterly spectacular 

Cypripedium reginae, the showy lady's-slipper with it's often 2 and 

3 flowered stems with large pink and white slippers growing 75 

cm tall! It is estimated that there are over 25,000 plants in this 

swamp. Scattered along the trail and in the woodland beyond the 

swamp are excellent stands of Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata, 

spotted coralroot, with both the forma flavida and forma rubra; C. 

maculata var. occidentalis, western spotted coralroot; C. striata, 

striped coralroot (a recent find and so far only in the striking 

forma eburnea); C. trifida, early coralroot; Cypripedium parviflorum 

var. pubescens, large yellow lady's-slipper; Listera convallarioides, 

broad-lipped twayblade; L. cordata, heart-leaved twayblade; 

Platanthera huronensis, green bog orchis; P. aquilonis, northern 

green bog orchis; P. macrophylla, Goldie's pad-leaved orchis; P. 

orbiculata, pad-leaved orchis; P. psycodes, small purple fringed 

orchis; and Malaxis unifolia, green adder's-mouth. 

11


NEWFOUNDLAND 

The main hiking trail to Gros Morne, just south of Rocky 

Harbour, offers many good orchids along the trailsides of the 

lower slope. If one is physically able, the entire hike to the top is 

spectacular, but long and very arduous towards the summit. The 

broad tablelands on top afford an unparallelled view of eastern 

Canada. Starting right in the parking lot watch the trailsides 

carefully for twayblades, both the broad-lipped and Listera 

auriculata, auricled twayblade, as well as the heart-leaved, 

rattlesnake orchids, pad leaved orchises and many coralroots. The 

trail is well maintained and is a series of open footpaths, 

boardwalks, and stairways. 

The real gem of this area is the Rocky Harbour Bog. It is a bit 

difficult to find and unmarked, but if you make inquiries at the 

National Park headquarters they may be able to point out the 

entry access along the highway. After you climb up (yes, the bog is 

above the road and is actually a raised heath) and into the bog you 

will find endless acres of orchids, carnivorous plants, and other 

spectacular wildflowers. All three of the bog orchids, Calopogon, 

Pogonia, and Arethusa can be found here and in all of their color 

forms. The white fringed orchis also occurs here a bit later in the 

summer. I expect there are in excess of 100,000 ochid plants 

growing within the Rocky Harbour bog! 

If time permits be sure to take a ride to the Tablelands near 

Trout River. Although not an orchid area, the expansive 

serpentine barrens offer an unusual collection of highly 

specialized plants and scenery. 

These first few days have been but an introduction to the 

orchid wonders of Newfoundland. Now for the serious orchid 

hunting! About an hour or so north of Rocky Harbour you will 

come to Bellburn flats area and the Table Point Reserve, near an 

old grass airstrip. This is one of the premier orchid sites on the 

island. You can easily pull off onto the access road and start to 

explore. The brilliant yellow patches you see scattered throughout 

the flats are those of the large yellow lady's-slipper, Cypripedium 

parviflorum var. pubescens. They occur here in the thousands. The 

plants appear to be only a few inches tall, but much of their stems 

12


NEWFOUNDLAND 

are within the dense dwarf shrub layer. You will see great 

variation within these plants. The extreme variation was originally 

described var. planipetalum, having broad, flat petals rather than 

slender twisted petals. Recent work has demonstrated that this 

growth form is an extreme expression of habit and not consistent 

from year to year or even with a given clump. Nevertheless it is 

the most sought after form by most photographers. Nestled deep 

within the shrub layer will be a few scattered plants of Platanthera 

hookeri, Hooker's orchis, in its dwarf form, forma abbreviata. 

Several species of orchids had named variations described from 

Newfoundland, Some of these are extreme expressions as in the 

flat-petalled yellow lady's-slipper while other are ecological 

dwarves. This form of Hooker's orchid is one of the latter as is 

Platanthera orbiculata, pad-leaved orchis, forma lehorsii to be found 

primarily in the southwestern headlands. 

Your next stop will be at Plum Point, Make 

reservations early at Plum Point Motel and Cabins, for it is just 

about the only place to stay in northwestern Newfoundland that is 

suitable for your exploring purposes. Plan several days here, as 

there are many full day trips to be made. After getting settled and 

consulting the maps these are the places you will want to visit. 

1. Port au Choix National Park for the hundreds of yellow 

lady 'slippers and broad-lipped twayblades. It is here that 

you will start to see one of Newfoundland's orchid 

specialties, Pseudorchis straminea. One of the rarest orchids in 

North America, it is locally abundant from here north to 

Cape Norman. On The way back to Plum Point be sure to 

stop off at Reef's Harbour and search for the many Malaxis 

brachypoda, white adder's-mouth and the unusual forma 

bifolia that abound in the grassy slopes by the boat 

launching area. 

• Cape Norman and Cook's Harbour on Route 435 is the 

site of the northernmost lighthouse on the island the broad 

open tundra-like flats often have a variety of orchids 

nestled within them. Watch for the many other spectacular 

wildflowers as well. Icebergs are regularly seen here. 

13


NEWFOUNDLAND 

• Burnt Cape, across from Cape Norman, is one of the alltime 

favorite places to explore. From the tiny town of 

Raleigh on Route 437 cross the causeway on to Burnt 

Island and drive to your right out to the Cape. The large 

cigar-shaped island is nearly barren of tress and sliced with 

deep ravines that run the length. The gravel roads are good 

and travel is easy. Towards the end of the island, at a picnic 

area that is just opposite the town of Raleigh on the 

mainland, is the real attraction - Calypso bulbosa var. 

americana, eastern fairy-slipper, and the type locality for 

the forma rosea. You have to search carefully and watch 

your step in and around the ravines but within the sides of 

them, and occasionally on the top edges, are to be found 

the calypsos. Other species that are scattered on the cape 

include Coeloglossum viride var. viride, northern bracted 

green orchis; Corallorhiza trifida, early coralroot; Goodyera 

repens, lesser rattlesnake orchis; Listera borealis, northern 

twayblade; L. cordata, heart-leaved twayblade; 

Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. ophioglossoides, northern clubspur 

orchis; P. obtusata, blunt-leaved rein orchis forma 

collectanea; and Pseudorchis straminea, Newfoundland orchis. 

Several interesting and unusual ferns can also be found 

here and the whale watching is excellent! 

• Watts Point Ecological Reserve - this is the only out of 

the way stop that is recommended. Driving north when 

route 430 turns east at Eddies Cove continue for 2-3 km to 

the wide-open barrens of the preserve. Exploring areas on 

both sides of the road, but particularly on the east, you will 

find tens of thousands of Amerorchis rotundifolia, small 

round-leaved orchis. These are some of the smallest 

plants I have ever seen of this species (some no more than 

2 or 3 cm tall) and the alternative common name, flyspeck 

orchid, seems apt. Small roadside scrapes often yield large 

numbers of Malaxis brachypoda, white adder's-mouth. 

Numerous other wildflowers that are only found across the 

strait in Labrador are also found here. It needn't be a long 

14


NEWFOUNDLAND 

stop, but well worth it. 

• From an historical perspective you may want to also 

visit L'Anse aux Meadows, site of the first Viking 

establishment in North America, at the terminus of 

Route 436. 

The last area to be suggested is somewhat apart form 

all of these. It is Tilt Cove on the Baie Verte peninsula. As 

you begin your trek back to southwestern Newfoundland you 

may want to revisit the Lomond Trail for later flowering 

species and then take Route 1 east and eventually Route 410 

north to Baie Verte. Not far from Baie Verte (which has a very 

nice hotel and an excellent small mineral museum) is the small 

community of Tilt Cove off Route 414. This area is most 

unusual as it lies in a serpentine area and where there was 

extensive copper mining. The town is at the bottom of a large 

basin that opens to the sea to the north. Most of the town is 

abandoned now after two major heydays in its history. A few 

of the homes are still occupied and a small museum is also 

open. But the real attraction her is the presence of Dactylorhiza 

praetermissa, southern marsh orchid, a species found 

throughout northern Europe. First though to be either an 

escape or adventive, the species presence has been traced back 

at least 100 years and may be truly native. It occurs in large, 

showy clumps on the seepage hillsides throughout the bowl of 

the town. Other orchids accompany the marsh orchid and 

include Platanthera dilatata, tall white northern bog orchis; P. 

aquilonis, northern green bog orchis; P. huronensis, green bog 

orchis; and Spiranthes romanzoffiana, hooded ladies'-tresses. 

By now your two weeks are coming to a close and you will be 

heading south to Corner Brook once more. On your last day 

afield driving south towards Port au Basque, watch in the 

vicinity of Doyles for roadside meads with hundreds of fringed 

orchises. Both purple fringed species, Platanthera grandiflora 

large purple fringed orchis and its various forms - forma 

albiflora, forma bicolor, forma carnea, forma mentotonsa; P. lacera, 

15


NEWFOUNDLAND 

green fringed orchis or ragged orchis; P. psycodes, small 

purple fringed orchis and the forma albiflora, forma ecalcarata, 

forma rosea, forma varians and the hybrids P. xandrewsii, 

Andrews' hybrid fringed orchis and P. xkeenanii, Keenan's 

hybrid fringed orchis are to be found in many roadside areas. 

Do not forget to return to Cheeseman Park before you leave 

to check on the later flowering species. 

Note; Three species are found in restricted areas and are not 

particularly easy to locate. 

Epipactis helleborine, broad-leaved helleborine, is starting to 

show up in some of the more urban areas, particularly around 

St. Johns in the east and Corner Brook in the west. Look 

around some of the local city parks for this recent visitor from 

Europe. 

Goodyera oblongifolia, giant rattlesnake orchis, is known from 

only one area near Serpentine Lake. It would flower in late 

July, but the road in is difficult and often gated. Perhaps you 

will be the one to find it elsewhere! 

Piperia unalascensis (Platanthera foetida), Alaskan Piperia, was 

recently discovered just north of Port aux Choix. This species 

is a common plant of western United States with a few 

disjunct localities in the upper Great Lakes and on Anticosti 

Island as well as the Gaspe region of Quebec. It was not a 

great surprise to find it in western Newfoundland. 

CHECKLIST OF THE ORCHIDS 

OF WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND 

1. Amerorchis rotundifolia 

small round-leaved orchis 

2. Arethusa bulbosa 

dragon's-mouth 

forma albiflora 

forma subcaerulea 

3. Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus 

common grass-pink 

forma albiflorus 

4. Calypso bulbosa var. americana 

16


NEWFOUNDLAND 

eastern fairy-slipper 


forma rosea 

5. Coeloglossum viride var. viride 

northern bracted green orchis 

5a. Coeloglossum viride var. virescens 

long-bracted green orchis 

6. Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata 

spotted coralroot 

forma flavida 

forma rubra 

6a. Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis 

western spotted coralroot 

7. Corallorhiza striata var. striata 

striped coralroot 

8. Corallorhiza trifida 

early coralroot 

9. Cypripedium acaule 

pink lady's-slipper, moccasin flower 

forma albiflorum 

forma biflorum 

10. Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin 

northern small yellow lady's-slipper 

10a. Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens 

large yellow lady's-slipper 

12. Cypripedium reginae 

showy lady's-slipper 

forma albolabium 

13. Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. praetermissa 

southern marsh orchid 


14. Epipactis helleborine* 

broad-leaved helleborine 

15. Goodyera oblongifolia 

giant rattlesnake orchis 

16. Goodyera repens 

lesser rattlesnake orchis 

forma ophioides 

17. Goodyera tesselata 

checkered rattlesnake orchis 

18. Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. ophioglossoides 

northern club-spur orchis 

17


NEWFOUNDLAND 

19. Liparis loeselii 

Loesel's twayblade, fen orchis 

20. Listera auriculata 

auricled twayblade 

forma trifolia 

21. Listera borealis 

northern twayblade 


22. Listera convallarioides 

broad-lipped twayblade 


24. Listera cordata var. cordata 

heart-leaved twayblade 

forma disjuncta 


forma viridens 

26. Listera xveltmanii 

Veltman's twayblade 

27. Malaxis brachypoda 

white adder's-mouth 

forma bifolia 

28. Malaxis unifolia 

green adder's-mouth 

forma bifolia 

30. Piperia unalascensis 

Alaskan piperia 

32. Platanthera aquilonis 

northern green bog orchis 

34. Platanthera blephariglottis 

northern white fringed orchis 

forma holopetala 

36. Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata 

tall white northern bog orchis 

38. Platanthera grandiflora 

large purple fringed orchis 


forma bicolor 

forma carnea 

forma mentotonsa 

39. Platanthera hookeri 

Hooker's orchis 

forma abbreviata 

18


NEWFOUNDLAND 

40. Platanthera huronensis 

green bog orchis 

41. Platanthera lacera 

green fringed orchis, ragged orchis 

42. Platanthera macrophylla 

Goldie's pad-leaved orchis 

43. Platanthera obtusata subsp. obtusata 

blunt-leaved rein orchis 

forma collectanea 

forma foliosa 

44. Platanthera orbiculata 

pad-leaved orchis 

forma lehorsii 


46. Platanthera psycodes 

small purple fringed orchis 


forma ecalcarata 

forma rosea 

forma varians 

48. Platanthera xandrewsii 

Andrews' hybrid fringed orchis 

49. Platanthera xkeenanii 

Keenan's hybrid fringed orchis 

50. Pogonia ophioglossoides 

rose pogonia 


51. Pseudorchis straminea 

Newfoundland orchis 

52. Spiranthes romanzoffiana 

hooded ladies'-tresses 

19


NEWFOUNDLAND 

7 

6 

5 

2 

3 

5 

1 

4 

9 

8 

10 

1. Channel-Port aux Basques 

2. Old railroad trail 

3. Cheeseman Park 

4. Corner Brook 

5. Rocky Harbour/Gros Morne 

National Park 

6. Table Point Ecological Reserve 

(Bellburns) 

7. Plum Point 

8. Burnt Cape (Raleigh) 

9. Cape Norman 

10. Watts Point Ecological Reserve 

11. Tilt Cove 

20 

Western Newfoundland


NEWFOUNDLAND 

HOW TO GET THERE- 

Via air to Sydney, Nova Scotia: most flights connect there 

through Toronto, Ontario. 

Vehicle Rental: this is an excellent multi-vendor site for rentals. 

http://www.travelnow.com/cars/search.jsp?pageName=carSearc 

h&cid=39241&pickUpCity=Sidney,NS,CA&validateCity=true&s 

ubmitted=true 

Via Marine Atlantic Ferry Service from North Sydney, Nova 

Scotia to Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland full 

information may be found at their website: 

http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/marinee/wheel/index_nav.htm 

Where to Stay 

Channel-Port aux Basques 

http://www.gatewaytonewfoundland.com/accomodations.html# 

a variety of accommodations 

Corner Brook 

http://www.accomodationsweb.com/canada/newfoundland/cor 

nerbrook/ 

many excellent accommodations 

Rocky Harbour 

Ocean View Hotel 

Route 430 North/Deer Lake 

Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland 

Canada 

http://www.travelhero.com/prophome.cfm/id/79704/hotels/res 

ervations/index.html 

Plum Point 

http://www.nfcap.nf.ca/west/PlumPoint/ 

Plum Point Motel & Cabins 

(try to get a cabin if you can as they are excellent and offer two or 

three rooms and good kitchen facilities) 

Phone: 709-247-2355 

Fax: 709-247-2327 

Plum Point, NF. 

A0K 4A0 

21


NEWFOUNDLAND 

http://www.nfcap.nf.ca/west/PlumPoint/Motel.htm 

Baie Verte/Tilt Cove 

http://www.centralnewfoundland.com/bview17.php3 

Baie Vista Inn 

P.O. Box 84 

Baie Verte 

Newfoundland, Canada 

A0K 1B0 

Phone: 709-532-8250 

Toll Free: 1-877-532-8250 

Fax: 709-532-8033 

Email: baie.vista@nf.sympatico.ca 

IF YOU GO: 

Although it is summer the weather in July is highly variable 

from very warm along the southwest coast to cold and possibly 

sleet/light snow showers at Cape Norman and it is often very 

windy. You need to bring layered clothing and a waterproof jacket 

or poncho. At Plum Point Motel there are laundry facilities as well 

as a general store nearby. Be sure to fuel up your vehicle each 

evening as the gas stations tend not to open early in the 

mornings (we have had to wait as late at 10AM to get gas some 

mornings!). 

It is best to pack a lunch, or have the restaurant do it, as 

local restaurants are not easy to find and never seem to be where 

you are. The Ocean View Motel in Rocky Harbour and Plum 

Point Motel both have superior dining facilities. The little store in 

Raleigh (Burnt Cape) has wonderful home made-pies for take out. 

Don't miss them. 

Two very good eating places along the road are the 

Pasadena Family Restaurant in Pasadena just north of Corner 

Brook (Pasadena is also an alternative to Corner Brook for 

accommodations) and Maynard Motor Inn, PO Box 59, Hawkes 

Bay, Newfoundland (709) 248-5225. They also have excellent 

accommodations and are about 1 hour south of Plum Point. 

22

Pelchat: SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL – NAVASOTA LADIES’-TRESSES 

SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL – 

NAVASOTA LADIES’-TRESSES 

Reprinted in a slightly different format from North American Native Orchid 

Journal 6(4): 268-279. 2000 

Cliff Pelchat 

Spiranthes parksii, the Navasota ladies’-tresses, is the only 

endemic orchid that Texas can claim and it has had an elusive 

history since its discovery in 1945, and was first described by 

Donovan Stewart Correll, (Correll 1947). In his 1950 book, 

Native Orchids of North America North of Mexico, Correll states 

that it was discovered in Texas in 1945 and that it had no close 

allies in North American orchid flora; "This species has no close allies 

in our flora. Its affinity seems to be with several Mexican and Central 

American species. It apparently occurs in moist habitat, and blooms in 

October." (Correll 1950) The specimens Correll used to describe 

the Navasota ladies’-tresses were collected by Haliburton 

Braley Parks along the Navasota River (Democratic Bridge) in 

Brazos County, (Correll 1947). For the next 30 years H. B. Parks 

was the only person to have seen a live specimen of this plant. 

Many of the herbarium specimens deposited by H. B. Parks 

contain short non-specific descriptions for location (such as 

“Democratic Bridge”), which certainly contributed to the 

difficulty of locating existing populations of S. parksii. Carlyle 

Luer along with Correll searched for the plants on 2 different 

occasions without finding them leading him to speculate on their 

origin; "The writer has thoroughly searched the type locality, along the 

Navasota River in eastern Texas, in two different years, once with Dr. 

Correll, but without success. Within a radius of a few miles, three familiar 

species of Spiranthes were discovered in flower: S. cernua, S. ovalis, and the 

robust Texan S. lacera var. gracilis . . .It is considered unlikely that a 

southern relict might survive in the western part of the Coastal Plain and the 

Eastern Woodland where no other localized endemic species of orchid is 

23


1 

3 

24 

2 

4


5 

Fig. 1. Blackland Prairies to the west and the 

Pineywoods to the east 

Fig. 2-3 S. parksii 

Fig. 4 S. cernua typical 

Fig. 5 S. cernua “cleistapogamic” race 

Fig. 6 S. parksii exhibiting peloria 

Fig. 7: S. parksii; spike basal rosettes 

Photographs by Cliff Pelchat 

7 

25 

6


known to occur. However, endemic species of other plants are not 

infrequent. Very possibly Spiranthes parksii represents an aberrant or 

polyploid form of var. gracilis, or a non-persisting hybrid of var. gracilis and 

S. cernua." (Luer 1975) Nevertheless, S. parksii Correll was listed 

as endemic to Brazos County, Texas, (Correll 1950) and (Correll 

& Johnston 1970). In 1975 it was listed as an Endangered and 

Threatened Orchid of the United States, (Ayensu 1975). And, in 

1982, it was listed as federally endangered (MacRoberts & 

MacRoberts 1997). Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s it has had 

a tendency to become newsworthy such as when it stopped the 

expansionof Texas highway 6 in 1983, (Liggio 1999), or when it 

became the focus of a conservation effort in 1990 that involved 

the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the San Antonio Botanical 

Gardens, when 500 plants were reproduced for planting back into 

the wild, (Houston Chronicle 1990). 

Rediscovery 

On October 25 th , 1978 the Navasota ladies'-tresses was 

rediscovered in Brazos county by Paul Catling and K. L. 

McIntosh in a Post Oak woodland northwest of the town of 

Navasota (Catling and McIntosh 1979). They located 7 plants 

along the banks of a temporary stream surrounded by scattered 

oaks (post oak, Quercas stellata and blackjack oak, Quercas 

marilandica) along with American beauty berry, Callicarpa americana. 

Another site with 13 plants was also discovered close by in an 

open oak woodland on the banks of another temporary stream. 

They reported that Spiranthes parksii occurred both on the tops of 

banks in open sand with a sparse cover of grass and on the sides 

of banks in the shade of tress and thickets. Since that time it has 

been documented in Lee, Leon, Freestone, Grimes, Burleson, 

Madison, Robertson, Fayette, Washington and Jasper counties, 

(Liggio 1999) and (Bridges and Orzell 1989). The Jasper county 

site represents a small disjunct population within the Piney Woods 

of Angelina County National Forest in East Texas 170 kilometers 

26


east of all other known populations. Recent surveys of the Jasper 

County Black Branch Barrens area of the Angelina National 

Forest have resulted in finding a few other plants (MacRoberts & 

MacRoberts 1997). 

Range/Habitat 

Spiranthes parksii, with the exception noted above for Jasper 

County, inhabits the Post Oak Savannah region of East Texas. 

The Post Oak Savannah is a region located northwest and west of 

Houston and occupies a space between the Blackland Prairies to 

the west and the Piney Woods to the east. To the south the Post 

Oak Savannah tapers out and mixes with the Blackland Prairies 

habitat, (Figure 1). This unique habitat is made up of an area of 

about 8,500,000 acres of gently rolling hills with elevations from 

65 to 300 meters above sea level. It receives about 75 to 115 cm 

of rainfall annually with the peak rainfall occurring during the 

months of May or June. Vegetatively it consists of open fields 

dominated by tall grasses and spots of woodlands that are 

comprised mostly of post oak, Quercus stellata and blackjack oak. 

Quercus marilandica. Soils consist of acid loamy sands in the upland 

areas to acid loamy sands and clays in the bottomland areas. 

(Correll & Johnston, 1970) The area was extensively cultivated 

for grains, vegetables and fruit trees up through the 1940’s. 

(Wilson, unpublished) This cultivation may explain the rarity of 

S. parksii and the disjunctive nature of some of the populations. 

Within this range Spiranthes parksii is found mostly along 

drainage areas that represent naturally disturbed areas through the 

post oak woodlands leading to the Navasota River and is rarely if 

ever found in unnaturally disturbed areas such as roadsides, 

power-line right of ways or open fields (Wilson, unpublished). 

When I first began searching for this plant I looked in the open 

grassy areas near woods and along drainages areas [outside of 

woods] as described by others and as noted on herbarium sheets, 

e.g. Texas International Speedway. Though I found some plants, 

mostly at the beginning of drainage areas from the grassy fields 

27


leading into woodlands and adjacent to the edge of woods along 

hiking trails the most plants were found within the woods on the 

banks of the natural drainage ditches. This observation confirms 

that Spiranthes parksii does not typically inhabit open areas or areas 

disturbed by man. Today S. parksii is well documented growing in 

the Navasota region and one especially good and accessible 

(because it is not private property) location is Lick Creek Park 

located in College Station. I have observed it growing in this park 

along the banks of drainage streams and at the mouth of these 

drainage areas leading from the open grassy areas of the Post Oak 

Savannah. I have also observed it growing on the margins of the 

wooded forest near drainage ditches where hiking trails have been 

formed. This habitat lies in close proximity to Texas A & M 

University and Dr. Hugh Wilson, from the University, undertook 

a detailed study of S. parksii. Unfortunately this study was 

brought to an abrupt halt by the expansion of a recreational bike 

path. 

Morphology 

The genus Spiranthes is highly variable from the 

morphological point of view and, at times, it is difficult to 

differentiate between species in the field. The problem of field 

identification is compounded for the species S. parksii because it 

blooms at the same time and in the same range as two other 

species, S. cernua (L.) L.C. Richard and S. lacera Raf. var. gracilis 

(Bigel.) Luer, and is found in similar habitat as S. cernua mixed in 

with blooming populations. However, once one establishes a 

pattern of identification there is no mistaking S. parksii for either 

S. cernua or S. lacera var. gracilis, though there are some plants that 

seem to be intermediate between S. parksii and S. cernua and these 

are not easily resolved in the field. While photographing these 

plants with a 105mm macro lens many of the characters described 

by Correll (Correll 1947 and 1950) are apparent. The line drawing 

by G. Dillon that accompanies Correll’s description is extremely 

accurate, and looks as if it was drawn form a live specimen rather 

then an herbarium sheet. 

28


The plants I have observed are from 21 cm to 25 cm tall 

with the flowers taking up the top 7 cm - 8 cm of the spike (Fig. 

2). They are in 4 ranked coils of 14 to 30 flowers that spiral 

counterclockwise looking down on the top of the plant. The 

plants tend to have the flowers concentrated more at the top of 

the rachis twisting, generally, in a CCW direction forming 4 ranks 

giving the rachis a symmetrical appearance. In contrast S. lacera 

var. gracilis tends to have a single rank forming a long spiral to the 

top for most of the length of the rachis. There are no leaves 

present at anthesis, but I have observed the leaves of plants in the 

springtime and they form basal rosettes of 2 to 3 lance like elliptic 

shaped leaves (Fig. 7). It should be noted that I find the number, 

size and dimensions of leaves for Spiranthes spp. to be quite 

variable depending on the time of year observed, the amount of 

moisture present and apparently the amount of nutrients in the 

soil. Plants of S. vernalis grown in pots and fed high nitrogen 

fertilizer have produced over 8 large grass like leaves along with 

one large bract like leaf on the spike that have sustained through 

anthesis compared to the 4 to 5 often observed in the field. 

These observations suggest that identification of S. parksii based 

on vegetative characteristics of the rosettes is highly unlikely 

unless the plants were specifically marked while in bloom. 

The flowers and most of the rachis are covered in a fine 

pubescence, the apex of which is tipped with a ball or club. The 

same pubescence is found on S. cernua but S. lacera var. gracilis is 

essentially glabrous. The characteristically obovate petals, (Correll 

1947), are also easily seen in the field through the lens of the 

camera or with a 10x loupe. The lip is presented in such away 

that the apex has a cleft and the center leading inward to the 

column is padded on each side and creamy yellow in color, (this 

coloring is also described by Catling & McIntosh 1979). The 

margins of the lip are ragged and tooth like or in botanical terms 

dentate compared to the crenulate (scalloped or round toothed) 

and undulate (wavy) appearance of S. cernua. Small pubescent 

29


hairs can be observed in the throat of the corolla formed by the 

lip, dorsal sepal and petals, (Figure 3). The distinctive oval shape 

of the petals (Correll 1947) can be seen, in the field, under close 

observation with a loupe or through the lens of a camera. The 

floral bract is white tipped which is often referred to as a single 

identifying characteristic of this orchid, but (in this authors 

experience) cannot in itself be used as a single characteristic for 

identification because S. cernua can also show a tendency for 

whitening of the floral bracts. Overall the flower shape is quite 

distinctive in that it appears to be short and fat. When viewed 

from the side, the flower from the ovary to the tip of the dorsal 

sepal forms an arch giving the flower a humped shape in relation 

to its length and width and extends horizontally from the rachis 

instead of drooping or nodding as in the case of S. cernua. The 

dorsal sepal extends just beyond the petals, curls upward at the 

apex, and has a cleft at the apex. The lateral sepals hug the corolla 

tightly and look like 2 upturned horns following the lines of the 

upturned apex of the dorsal sepal and extending a little beyond it. 

The flower coloring is white with variations from creamy yellow 

to white in the center of the lip and yellow to light green coloring 

running through the petals from the base to the midpoint. 

In the same location and blooming simultaneously, as 

mentioned above, with Spiranthes parksii is S. cernua, (Fig. 4). 

These plants include examples of the sexual and asexual apomictic 

types, along with peloric forms as well as the “cleistapogamic” 

characteristic referred to by C. Sheviak, (Sheviak, 1982) (Fig. 5). I 

have also observed examples of S. parksii that appear to be 

apomictic, and exhibit some peloria, (Fig. 6). These plants have 

monstrous looking flowers that are tightly closed with the lip 

barely protruding pointing straight up parallel with the axis of the 

stem. On some of the flowers the lateral sepals are at an angle 

away from the corolla and many of the unopened flowers below 

at the bottom of the spike are already withering while the ovaries 

are swelling. Another most unusual characteristic was the almost 

completely white floral bracts. Close examination of these 

30


revealed fine green striping running lengthwise to the apex, but 

they were mostly white. I have observed the same white coloring 

in the ovaries of peloric forms of S. cernua. I have also observed 

plants that seem to be intermediate between S. cernua and S. parksii 

in that they have the general appearance of S. parksii with regards 

to general flower shape, presentation of the lateral sepals and 

white tipped floral bracts, however the lip margin is much more 

undulate and the lateral sepals are not as closely pressed to the 

corolla. C. Sheviak noted that S. parksii is linked to the S. cernua 

complex “by its reproductive mode and some morphological characteristics 

and indeed is likely related” (Sheviak 1982). I believe that further, 

more detailed, studies of S. parksii are required to understand its 

standing within the S. cernua complex and will lead to a clearer 

understanding of the origin of this plant. 

Conservation 

Earlier in this article I made mention of Lick Creek Park 

and the bike trails that destroyed the on going study being 

conducted by Hugh Wilson from the Texas A & M University. In 

this case the community of College Station wanted recreational 

mountain bike trails and the best habitat for this type of recreation 

happens to be prime habitat for Spiranthes parksii – humans 1, 

orchids 0. Repeated attempts by Hugh Wilson to have the area 

set aside as a preservation area fell on deaf ears, both at the 

community level and the national level, e.g. the Federal 

Government and the Nature Conservancy. Even Texas Highway 

6 was allowed to proceed through prime S. parksii habitat once a 

so called mitigation plan, involving a preservation area now 

referred to as a weed lot, (Wilson unpublished), was built – 

humans 2, orchids 0. The most disturbing example of habitat 

destruction for S. parksii, however, is the clear cutting of trees in 

documented S. parksii habitat (remember it is essentially a 

woodland orchid) for the purpose of building the giant Texas 

A&M bonfire in the name of tradition and school spirit – humans 

3, orchids 0, they [the orchids] are out! In 1994 Hugh Wilson 

made repeated attempts to save this habitat from destruction, 

both to the Texas A&M University administration, and to the 

31


Director, Office of Endangered Species for the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Services. Of course all of the habitat destruction is well 

within the boundaries of the law and perfectly legal, but one has 

to question the ethical ramifications and hypocrisy of this 

situation. Ironically the only true protection of S. parksii is being 

afforded by the Texas Municipal Power Authority, (TMPA), as a 

result of strip-mining operations on leased land. This protection 

will also disappear as the mining operations wind down and the 

land leases expire removing them from the stewardship of the 

TMPA. 

Summary 

Spiranthes parksii is an interesting and unusual orchid. It is 

interesting because it has a limited range and therefore can teach 

us much about the conservation of orchid species as we continue 

to study its habitats. The general observations of the Lick Creek 

Park populations show that there are similarities between S. parksii 

and S. cernua and indicate that further more detailed studies will 

result in a better understanding of this relationship. Finally, I 

hope that greater awareness of this orchid and others like it will 

lead to better conservation efforts on the part of individuals that 

will insure that all of the natural wonders around us are available 

to future generations. 

References: 

Ayenus, E.S. 1975. Endangered and Threatened Orchids of the United 

States. Amer Orchid Society Bulletin 44(5): 384 – 394 

Catling, P. M. and K. L. McIntosh. 1979. SIDA 8(2): 188-193 

Correll, D. S. 1950. Native Orchids Of North America North Of Mexico. 

Waltham, Ma. Chronica Botanica 

Correll, D. S. 1947. A new Spiranthes from Texas Amer. Orchid Society Bull. 

16:400 

Correll, D. S. and Johnston, M. C. 1970. Manual of The Vascular Plants of Texas. 

Texas Research Foundation,1970. 

Bridges, E. L. & S. L. Orzell 1989. Additions and noteworthy Vascular Plant 

collections from Texas and Louisiana, with historical, ecological and 

geographical notes. Phytologia 66: 12-69 

Houston Chronicle 1990, Kathy Huber. Lab Gardeners Try To Thwart 

Orchid Pirates. Houston Chronicle, Saturday 2/10/1990, P.1, 2 Start edition. 

32


Liggio, J. and Liggio A.O. 1999. Wild Orchids of Texas. University of Texas 

Press, 1999. 

Luer, C. A. 1975. The Native Orchids of The United States and Canada Excluding 

Florida. New York Botanical garden, New York. 

Evans, Robert E. and MacRoberts, Michael H. and Barbara R. 1997. Notes 

On Spiranthes parksii Correll (Orchidaceae) Deep In East Texas. Phytologia, 

83(3) September 1997: 133-137 

Sheviak, C. J. 1982. Biosystematic Study of the Spiranthes cernua Complex. 

New York State Museum Bulletin No. 448 1982. 

Wilson, H. D. unpublished. Spiranthes Parksii - Endangered Orchid of the Texas 

Post Oak Savannah, Texas A & M Website. 

Cliff Pelchat, 2900 Farmington Circle, Edmond, OK 73003; cplechat@cox.net 

EDITOR’S UPDATE: 

Cliff also published two additional articles in the McAllen International 

Orchid Journal about Spiranthes parksii. 

Spiranthes parksii. McAllen International Orchid Society Journal 6(3): 9-15. 2005. 

Spiranthes parksii – additions to last issue’s article. McAllen International Orchid 

Society Journal 6(4): 9. 2005. 

33

Empiricist: JEWELS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES 


The Slow Empiricist 

It is not true that orchids are fragile hothouse plants for 

they occur all over the world from beyond the Arctic Circle south 

to nearly Antarctica! And if the melting going on there continues 

they may eventually pop up there. 

So, if they are so widespread and seemingly hardy why are 

they rare, threatened and endangered? There are lots of reasons 

from man’s constant expansion into orchid habitat to extremes in 

the particular orchids’ natural range with southern species 

reaching the limit of their ability to survive further north of their 

range. Weather also plays its part with drought years cutting into 

survival and reproduction (although orchids often go dormant in 

dry years to bloom exuberantly in normal or wetter years). Some 

orchids are fire respondent and also bide their time until a wild 

fire or controlled burn eliminates the competing flora so they can 

bring forth a large blooming population. 

Back to the overarching question if orchids are so 

widespread and seemingly hardy where are they hiding? Where are 

these unlikely places where one can find an orchid? 

Having traveled extensively in the United States and 

Canada there is one enormous habitat that is sprinkled liberally 

with many species of orchids. Quite simply it is along the 

roadsides themselves that many orchids find a home. Spiranthes, 

ladies-tresses, are particularly happy in that kind of habitat. They 

like open sunny locations that are mowed to keep down 

34


competition. Some like to nestle up nearer the hedgerow for some 

shade or shelter, others like to grow in the damper ditches. 

35 

Sacoila lanceolata, the leafless 

beaked orchid growing along a 

roadside in Levy County, Florida


Not only Spiranthes, but Platanthera, the fringed and rein 

orchises, Calopogon, many of the grass pinks, Sacoila, the leafless 

beaked orchid, and even some species of Listera and Liparis, the 

twayblades, like the roadsides’ expanses for a home. 

I have seen the following growing along the highway, often 

in mixed colonies: 

• Florida and the southeast: 

Sacoila (FL), Calopogon, Platanthera, Spiranthes, Gymnadeniopsis 

• Northeast: 

Spiranthes, Pogonia. Gymnadeniopsis, Epipactis, Platanthera, and 

even pink lady’s-slippers! 

• Northwest: 

Spiranthes, Platanthera, Piperia, a stray Calypso and mountain 

lady’s-slippers 

The prairies of southern Manitoba amazed us with plants 

of Platanthera praeclara, the western prairie fringed orchis, 

extending from the prairies into the roadside shoulders and 

ditches, often with the green rein orchises, Platanthera huronensis 

and P. aquilonis. So much of what you see in both Newfoundland 

and Alaska are roadside plants, in part because there are so few 

roads to the interior that the main roads are where you tend to be! 

Some even stranger places I’ve seen orchids growing along 

the highway were Spiranthes casei, Case’s ladies-tresses, growing in 

rip rap in Vermont, Listera borealis, northern twayblade, growing 

in the gravel parking lot in Alberta near Lake Louise and Calypso 

bulbosa var. occidentalis, western calypso, in northern California 

growing under the redwoods right along and nearly within the 

road! 

Another unlikely habitat occurs at high elevations where 

the weather can be harsh and unforgiving but in the mountain 

meadows or tucked into small sheltered depressions on 

windswept heights orchids find a niche! I have seen the rattail 

adder’s-mouth orchids, Malaxis soulei, in August in the Huachuca 

Mountain heights in Arizona and Cypripedium montanum, mountain 

lady’s-slippers, gracing the roadsides in Radium Hot Springs, 

36


British Columbia. In the Olympics of western Washington the 

Alaskan orchid, Piperia unalascensis, grows in a dwarf form (forma 

olympica) and down in Port Angles roadsides abound with up to 

five species of Piperia! 

Old cemeteries that don’t get mowed frequently have 

habitats that invite orchids to colonize them. New England is rich 

with small cemeteries that yield the ardent explorer with 

handsome rewards. One such cemetery in Connecticut has 

Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis, southern slender ladies’-tresses, and 

several hybrids as well as S. vernalis, grass-leaved ladies’-tresses, 

flowering in mid-August. 

You don’t always need a neglected old cemetery to find an 

orchid jewel. Florida has a cemetery where dancing lady orchids. 

Tolumnia bahamense, grows in the undeveloped areas. It is here the 

Florida rosemary bushes afford the orchid an opportunity to 

climb and flower with charming cascades of butterfly-like 

blossoms. They appear to be doing a stately gavotte in the gentle 

breeze. 

Sometimes vacant lots or abandoned housing 

developments offer orchids the right conditions to seed in 

although more often the orchids have been destroyed by the 

clearing and bulldozing. Those orchids that are successional may 

take up residences as nature reclaims the area. A borrow pit in 

southern New Hampshire that was cleared for a golf driving range 

that failed is filled with grass pinks, Calopogon tuberosus, and rose 

pogonia, Pogonia ophioglossoides, and a few northern tubercled 

orchids, Platanthera flava var. herbiola, are starting to show up. Of 

course, several species of Spiranthes are found throughout the pit 

habitat. Succession is claiming the area though and poplars, 

willows, and other trees have seeded in as nature reforests the 

clearing chasing out the orchids. In housing developments that 

never materialized in California and Washington, and Florida we 

have found orchids in the ditches as well as the vacant lots. 

Florida yielded wild coco, Eulophia alta, water-spider orchids, 

Habenaria repens, and a variety of Spiranthes of course. Wet ditches 

in otherwise dry areas in California had Epipactis gigantea, 

37


chatterbox, and Washington State yielded a race of Spiranthes 

romanzoffiana, hooded ladies’-tresses, growing in vacant lots near 

Sequim. 

Lastly, don’t be afraid to explore in your own back yard. 

We have found many orchids within a mile of our winter home in 

Florida. All you have to do is look and be open to the possibilities 

that an orchid might be there. There have even been records of 

orchids coming up in the crack in the cement sidewalks where the 

broad-leaved helleborine, Epipactis helleborine, can be quite at home. 

With an open mind and a keen eye you might just find a few 

jewels of your own! Good Exploring! 

Your Slow Empiricist 

Stan Folsom with a roadside colony of Spiranthes ochroleuca in 

southern Nova Scotia 

38

SOME NORTH AMERICAN ORCHID FACTOIDS 

SOME NORTH AMERICAN ORCHID 

FACTOIDS 

(Updated for August 2006) 

Did You Know???? 

There are 210 species plus an additional 3 subspecies and 24 

varieties of native orchids found in North America north of 

Mexico for a total of 237? 

(Note: Opinions will always vary as to the precise number as 

different orchidists view species differently. The old lumpers vs. 

the splitters! This number takes the more open approach and 

embraces as many species as have been described. From a very 

conservative standpoint the number might be reduced to 234). 

We also have 14+ non-native or alien species that have been 

documented as naturalized, introduced, escaped, waifs, etc. 

Of these only 6 are truly naturalized and reproducing in 

populations in the wild. 

• Cyrtopodium polyphyllum southern Florida 

• Epipactis helleborine much of the temperate United States and sparingly 

in Canada 

• Listera ovata southern Ontario 

• Oeceoclades maculata southern and central Florida 

• Spathoglottis plicata southern Florida 

• Zeuxine strateumatica southeastern United States 

Both Dactylorhiza species founding Ontario and Newfoundland are of 

questionable origin. 

For the combined total of 251 species, subspecies, and varieties that have 

been found growing in the wild in the North America north of Mexico plus 

more than 200 named color and growth forms: 

112 species are found only in the US and Canada 

39


Four NEW orchids in North America 

Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis Piperia yadonii 

San Juan Islands, WA-Chelsea Kieffer Monterey Co., CA – Brad Kelley 

Spiranthes casei var. novaescotiae Malaxis wendtii 

Yarmouth Co., NS – P.M. Brown Brewster Co. TX – C. Pelchat 

40


The most recently discovered species new to the US is Microthelys 

rubrocallosa 2004 in Arizona 

Of this total 22 have been described as new species in the past 25 

years. 

• Calopogon oklahomensis D.H. 

Goldman 

• Corallorhiza bentleyi 

Freudenstein 

• Cypripedium kentuckiense C.F. 

Reed 

• Deiregyne confusa Garay 

• Epidendrum floridense Hágsater 

• Galeandra bicarinata G.A. 

Romero & P.M. Brown. 

• Govenia floridana P.M. Brown 

• Malaxis abieticola Salazar & 

Soto Arenas 

• Malaxis wendtii Salazar 

• Piperia candida Morgan & 

Ackerman 

• Piperia colemanii Morgan & 

Glicenstein 

41 

• Piperia yadonii R. Morgan & J. 

Ackerman 

• Platanthera pallida P.M. Brown 

• Platanthera praeclara Sheviak & 

Bowles 

• Platanthera tescamnis Sheviak & 

Jennings 

• Platanthera zothecina (Higgins & 

Welsh) Kartesz & Gandhi 

• Schiedeella arizonica P.M. Brown 

• Spiranthes delitescens Sheviak 

• Spiranthes diluvialis Sheviak 

• Spiranthes eatonii Ames ex P.M. 

Brown 

• Spiranthes infernalis Sheviak 

• Spiranthes sylvatica P.M. Brown 

Also 8 new varieties have been described or revalidated at the varietal level 

Corallorhiza maculata (Rafinesque) Rafinesque var. ozettensis E. Tisch 

Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Willdenow) Nuttall var. pringlei (Greenman) Freudenstein 

Cypripedium parviflorum Salisbury var. makasin (Farwell) Sheviak 

Hexalectris spicata (Walter) Barnhardt var. arizonica (S. Watson) Catling & Engel 

Epidendrum magnoliae Mühlenberg var. mexicanum (L.O. Williams) P.M. Brown 

Piperia elegans (Lindley) Rydberg subsp. decurtata Morgan & Glicenstein 

Spiranthes casei Catling & Cruise var. novaescotiae Catling 

Spiranthes ovalis Lindley var. erostellata Catling 

Triphora trianthophora (Swartz) Rydberg var. texensis P.M. Brown & R. Pike 

28 new hybrids have been described in the past 25 years including: 

• Cleistes xochlockoneensis P.M. Brown • Cypripedium xalaskanum P.M. 

Brown


• Cypripedium xcolumbianum Sheviak 

• Cypripedium xherae Ewacha & 

Sheviak 

• Liparis xjonesii S. Bentley 

• Listera xveltmanii Case 

• Platanthera xapalachicola P.M. 

Brown & S. Stewart 

• Platanthera xandrewsii (Niles) Luer 

• Platanthera xbeckneri P.M. Brown 

• Platanthera xbicolor (Rafinesque) 

Luer 

• Platanthera xcanbyi (Ames) Luer 

• Platanthera xchannellii Folsom 

• Platanthera xcorrellii Schrenck 

• Platanthera xestesii Schrenck 

• Platanthera xhollandiae Catling & 

Brownell 

42 

5 

• Platanthera xkeenanii P.M. Brown 

• Platanthera xlassenii Schrenk 

• Platanthera xlueri P.M. Brown 

• Platanthera xosceola P.M. Brown & 

S. Stewart 

• Platanthera xreznicekii Catling, 

Brownell & G. Allen 

• xPlatanthopsis vossii Case 

• Spiranthes xborealis P.M. Brown 

• Spiranthes xeamesii P.M. Brown 

• Spiranthes xfolsomii P.M. Brown 

• Spiranthes xitchetuckneensis P.M. 

Brown 

• Spiranthes xintermedia Ames 

• Spiranthes xmeridionalis P.M. Brown 

• Spiranthes xsimpsonii Catling & 

Sheviak 

Florida, not surprisingly, has the most species that are restricted to 1 state (73). 

Apart from non-natives other states, provinces, and countries in North 

America north of Mexico that have species, subspecies, or varieties restricted to 

just that state or province are: 

New York 1 

• Platanthera pallida ENDEMIC 

California 4 

• Piperia colemanii ENDEMIC 

• P. leptopetala ENDEMIC 

• P. michaelii ENDEMIC 

• P. elegans subsp. decurtata ENDEMIC 

• P. yadonii ENDEMIC 

Nevada 1 

• Spiranthes infernalis ENDEMIC 

Arizona 4 

• Corallorhiza maculata var. mexicana 

• Hexalectris revoluta var. colemanii ENDEMIC 

• Malaxis corymbosa 

• Microthelys rubrocallosa 

• Spiranthes delitescens ENDEMIC 

New Mexico 

• 1 Platanthera brevifolia 

Texas 7


• Deiregyne confusa 

• Dichromanthus cinnabarinus 

• Hexalectris grandiflora 

• H. revoluta var. revoluta 

• Malaxis wendtii 

• Spiranthes parksii ENDEMIC 

• Triphora trianthophora var. texensis ENDEMIC 

Alaska 5 

• Cypripedium yatabeanum 

• Dactylorhiza aristata var. aristata 

• Dactylorhiza aristata var. kodiakensis 

• Platanthera tipuloides var. behringiana 

• Platanthera chorisiana 

Nova Scotia 1 

• Spiranthes casei var. novaescotiae ENDEMIC 

Greenland 1 

• Platanthera hyperborea ENDEMIC? 

The most recently ‘rediscovered’ species in the US are: 

• Deiregyne confusa 2004 Texas 

• Ponthieva brittoniae 2004 Florida 

• Pelexia adnata 2004 Florida 

• Cranichis muscosa 2004 Florida 

43 

6

Folsom: A CASE FOR EVOLUTION 

A CASE FOR EVOLUTION 

Stan Folsom 

Charles Darwin based his theory of evolution on 

observations of living things that have evolved and adapted to the 

changes that have occurred in their environment. He labeled this 

process as survival of the fittest. Orchids help to bear out 

Darwin’s tenets (Darwin, 1859, 1962). 

Orchids have been around as long as mankind and most 

likely well before that and although they are not well known from 

the fossil record. They are considered the most advanced form of 

flora on the planet with many varied adaptations that have helped 

them survive. They have met the changes that have occurred on 

this planet since they first appeared in the prime evil landscape in 

clever ways to ensure their survival. Orchids are continuing to 

evolve as they adapt to fit the conditions they encounter today. 

Orchids have seen the world change mightily over the 

millennia of their existence. Whole areas of the landmasses 

underwent massive alterations as lush, verdant areas gave way to 

encroaching deserts when weather patterns changed. Mountains 

pushed up in former plains and seas receded. Ice ages and 

cataclysmic events like gigantic volcanic eruptions or giant 

meteors striking the earth wrought havoc with living things. Yet 

orchids have endured and through adaptation have grown to over 

30,000 species and spread to the four corners of the world. 

This paper explores some of the techniques orchids have 

used to maintain their viability on Earth. We will examine some of 

44


the mechanisms and strategies that North American orchids have 

developed to cope with these events that have changed their 

world. 

Let us examine the pollinization processes that orchids 

have devised to ensure their survival. This process has evolved to 

be very specific in many orchid species. They have unique 

techniques and attract only certain agents of pollination. 

As everyone knows orchids have 3 sepals and 3 petals with 

the stamen(s) and pistil fused into a column. The three petals 

consist of two lateral petals and the third petal is formed into a lip. 

The lip acts as both an attractant and landing platform for many 

pollinators. The many genera and species of orchids have lips in 

varying size, shape, and colors that entice many kinds of 

pollinators including butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, flies, and 

gnats, to name a few. Some orchids use scent, often at a specific 

time of day or night, to attract the pollinators, others brilliant 

color, and still others dynamic patterns. Many botanists have 

watched orchids hoping to discover the actual pollinators or kinds 

of actions that were required to ensure fertilization. Roger 

Hammer, of Homestead, Florida, spent several nights in the 

Fakahatchee Swamp to observe the giant nocturnal moth that 

pollinates the ghost orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii (Hammer, 1996). 

Calopogons are constructed in 

such a way that their lip is 

uppermost. With the lip in this 

position when the heavy bee 

pollinator attaches itself to the 

attractive yellow beard (a false 

pollen) it snaps down with the bee’s 

weight and deposits the pollen 

brought from the bee’s visit to 

another blossom into contact with 

the flower’s stigmatic surface, therefore effecting pollination. 

Some species even allow rain, by assisting the transfer of the 

pollen, to act as the agent for pollination (Catling, 1980). 

45


Habenaria macroceratitis and H. quinqueseta have evolved so 

that they have long spurs that yield a reward for the long 

proboscis of its moth pollinators much as in the situation with the 

ghost orchid. The fringed orchids (Platanthera spp.) of North 

America are also pollinated in this manner ensuring their survival. 

Some orchids have developed the ability to self-pollinate. 

This way they do not have to rely on the presence of an outside 

agent such as a moth, fly, or bee to effect their fertilization. 

Genera such as Spiranthes and Corallorhiza have species that have 

evolved to the point that they do not even need to have their 

flowers open to achieve fertilization. This 

mechanism is called cleistogamy—or fertilized 

within the bud. Other species of orchids and, yes 

there are other plants 

out there too, such as 

dandelions, Taraxacum 

officinale, are apomictic 

– developing seed 

without any agent of 

pollination and plants 

often are lacking in 

one or more of their 

critical sexual organs 

such as a rostellum 

C. odontorhiza and the ovaries 

with 

develop into 

cleistogamous 

flowers 

embryos and the 

plants actually clone 

themselves. This process often occurs 

in species that have originated from 

ancient hybridization and involve 

many species in their ancestral 

parentage. 

Orchids have also devised 

means for survival through clever 

strategies like lying dormant for years 

P. ciliaris 

46


when growing conditions are not suitable. Some have become 

dependent on calamity to continue their existence. Wild fires, 

landslides, tornados and hurricanes all play their part in destroying 

natural areas but the fire-respondent and successional species of 

orchids have learned to take advantage of these opportunities to 

repopulate an area. 

Orchid seeds are hardy as well as being able to remain 

dormant for some years, as they have been discovered in the 

upper stratosphere. Some tropical species, especially in places like 

Florida, are hardy enough so that they withstand freezes that 

destroy the plants but not their seeds which seem to have the 

ability to lodge in protective niches and survive. The Christmas 

Day freeze of 1989 in Florida took out entire colonies of tropical 

orchids but as of 2005 new young plants are growing in the areas 

where their parents used to exist suggesting that the seeds can 

withstand colder temperatures. 

Some orchids have developed in special niches to ensure 

their survival. Spiranthes sylvatica prefers shady hedgerows while 

others prefer damp seep habitats. Some have adapted to wet 

conditions forming mats on streams or growing in wet bogs. 

Then there are those that have taken to the trees and many 

have developed pseudobulbs to store water. Some, such as the 

ghost orchid and harrisella, are leafless and when out of flower are 

virtually invisible to predators. 

Hybridization between orchid species is another form of 

insurance for survival if the new plants breed true in future 

generations. Scientist can now examine the DNA and determine 

the gene flow from the parents. They can also ascertain the new 

plants’ status as diploid or polyploid. Sheviak (1982, 1991) has 

done much of this work on North American species and has 

clarified the status of several species especially in the genera 

Spiranthes and Platanthera.. 

47


Casual observation can often notice 

differences in related species. Spiranthes 

cernua—a compilospecies—show gene 

flow or influence, from the basic diploid 

species that are found within its range. In 

the Northeast, Spiranthes cernua shows a 

marked influence of S. ochroleuca and in the 

Midwest of S. magnicamporum. Spiranthes 

diluvialis, an allotetraploid species derived 

from S. magnicamporum and S. romanzoffiana 

has evolved into a solid, wide-ranging 

species that although still rare, often 

occurs now where neither ancestral parent 

may be found (Sheviak, 1984). 

Lastly, alien species have arrived 

whether having been borne in on storm 

winds or hitchhiking a ride in cargo from 

far off lands or brought to our shores as a 

garden plant. An example in Florida is 

Zeuxine, the lawn orchid, our only annual 

orchid, and has seeded in all over the place 

but does not drive out native species. 

Zeuxine has been documented to have 

arrived in lawn seed from the Far East in 

the 1920s. Another example would be 

Oeceoclades maculata, the African spotted 

orchid with its beautiful mottled leaves. 

This species started to appear about 25 

years ago and has now insinuated itself 

through central and southern Florida. It is 

S. diluvialis 

assumed it first arrived as wind-borne seed from Africa and has 

also colonized several islands in the Caribbean. Further north 

Epipactis helleborine, the broad-leaved helleborine, has been known 

in North America for more than a century after it was first seen 

near Syracuse, New York. It is now found throughout most of 

temperate North America and shows a decided fondness for 

48


calcareous habitats and even in the cracks of the sidewalks in 

Boston! Dactylorhiza found in Ontario and Newfoundland present 

another problem in that although the species are European in 

their primary distribution. Their arrival in northern North 

America has not been documented and as they are in similar 

habitats as in northern Europe their alien status is unsure. 

Orchids are still evolving and meeting the conditions of 

their environment. There are orchids that have adapted to 

mowing and consistently bloom on spikes that stay below the 

mowers blades. Orchids have seeded into human areas where they 

can find the right conditions such as the lime leaching from 

cement sidewalks and roadways. They are traveling on hurricanes, 

in cargoes from other countries, along railways and roadways as 

they seed into new places. 

Whatever the process, however, North American orchids 

have proven they are survivors and will hopefully be around for 

many more millennia to come. The prospect invites conjecture as 

to what new and exciting forms will evolve in the future. 

Literature Cited: 

Catling, P. M. 1980. Rain-assisted autogamy in Liparis loeselii (L.) L. C. Rich. 

(Orchidaceae). Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club107:525-529. 

Darwin, C. 1859. On the origin of species by means of natural selection. London. John 

Murray. [1st edn]. 

-------. 1862. On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are 

fertilised by insects. London. John Murray. 

Hammer, R. 1996. A Week in the Fakahatchee. Orchids. 65(3): 252-261. 

Sheviak, C. J. 1982. Biosystematic study of the Spiranthes cernua 

complex. Bull. New York State Mus. Sci. Serv. 448. 

------. 1984. Spiranthes diluvialis (Orchidaceae), a new species from the 

western United States. Brittonia 36: 8–14. 

------. 1991. Morphological variation in the compilospecies Spiranthes 

cernua (L.) L.C. Rich.: Ecologically-limited effects of gene flow. 

Lindleyana 6: 228–234. 

Stan Folsom, 10896 SW 90 th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34481. 

Stan has written numerous articles for the NANOJ and is a fine artist 

whose work is found in the series of orchid field guides co-authored with 

Paul Martin Brown. 

49

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