Showy Orchis

(Galearis spectabilis)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis [L.] Raf.)

Identification: Flowers violet (or rose) and white. Upper petals violet, forming a hood. Lower petal and inside of flower white, contrasting sharply with the violet hood. Plant with a series of small leaves around the flowers and two large, ovate leaves at the base of the plant. Plant 4 to 12 inches in height.

Distribution: Minnesota and Ontario in the West to New Brunswick in the east, southward to Oklahoma and Georgia.

Habitat: Showy Orchis is found in rich woods.

Flowering period: April to June.

Similar Species: The striking flowers of violet and white are easily identifiable.

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