Midsummer Orchids

Platanthera psycodes, Lesser Purple Fringed Bog Orchid.

 The hazy, hot and humid period in late July in early August is generally a slow time for wildflowers in New England--the spring ephemerals are long past and the late-summer asters and goldenrods haven't started--but there are a number of native orchids that bloom during the height of summer.

 

Goodyera tesselata, Checkered Rattlesnake-Plantain, in late July in Ashford, Ct.

 

 Goodyera, the rattlesnake-plantains, is a large, almost cosmopolitan genus of terrestrial orchids, with two species extant in Connecticut (and one more probably extirpated). Goodyera tesselata is the less common of the two, a small plant with pale, checkered leaves. It favors well-drained, piney woods, and is more frequently encountered to the north of my area. Checkered Rattlesnake-Plantain  is thought to be derived from an ancient hybridization event between two other Goodyera species.

 

Goodyera pubescens, Downy Rattlesnake-Plantain, in late July in Mansfield, Ct.

 

Goodyera pubescens, or Downy Rattlesnake-Plantain, is by far the more common species in its genus in southern New England, and is one of the most frequently encountered wild orchids overall. An observant hiker can spot the green-and-silver variegated rosettes and spikes of white flowers of this charming plant, on virtually any walk through the woods in eastern Connecticut. The rosettes of leaves grow from branching underground rhizomes, and can form large colonies.

Platanthera clavellata, Small Green Wood Orchid, in late July in Mansfield, Ct.

Platanthera is the most diverse genus of orchids in New England, with about 16 species, though many of these are very rare, localized, or "historical" (locally extinct). Many species have had a hard time with development, invasive species (including earthworms and slugs), forest succession, deer overpopulation, a warming climate, and probably in some cases direct picking and digging by gardeners. One species that seems to be doing pretty well in Connecticut is P. clavellata, which is not that uncommon in acidic, swampy woods and on stream banks. It is difficult to spot out-of-flower, with a few nondescript oval leaves, and even in flower is not what you would call showy, so it is quite possible that it is even more frequent than my impressions would indicate.

Platanthera psycodes, Lesser Purple Fringed Bog Orchid, in late July in Tolland County, Ct.

Platanthera psycodes, on the other hand, is rather uncommon in my area, but beautiful and totally obvious when in flower. Flowering plants are waist-high. with lovely violet-pink petals. The flowers are not strongly scented, have long nectar spurs behind the petals, and are pollinated by butterflies. The plants pictured here were scattered along a cold, spring-fed stream, in mucky, acidic soil.