Part 48

Limodorum

Linnæus, 1753

(Calopogon R. Brown, 1813)

GRASS-PINK—MEADOW-GIFT

The generic name, Limodorum, comes from the Greek, signifying a meadow-gift.

Scapose orchids with solid bulbous roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum=, hinged, arching above, and spreading; raised on a narrow stalk, dilated at the apex, bearded on the upper side with long club-shaped hairs. =Sepals= and =petals= nearly alike, separate and spreading. =Flowers= fragrant, pink-purple, 3-15 in a loose terminal raceme, seed-capsule (ovary) straight. =Anther= terminal, operculate, and sessile. =Pollinia= 2, 1 in each anther-sac, loosely granular. =Stem= or =scape= straight, not twisting as usual in other orchids, 1-1½ foot high. =Leaf= 1, grass-like blade, appearing first season, and followed next year by scape of flowers. =Seed-capsule= erect, oblong, and straight.

Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Canada, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota and Arkansas. There are 4 species of this beautiful genus endemic only to the Atlantic region.

A peculiar character of this genus lies in the ovary and stem being straight, causing thereby the labellum to arch above instead of drooping below the organs of fertilization, as instanced in Orchis and Cypripedium. Seedlings appear numerous in many swamps.

North American species north of Mexico 4 New England species 1 Hoosac Valley species 1

New England species:

1. L. tuberosum Linnæus, 1753. (Calopogon pulchellus R. Brown, 1813)

1.—LIMODORUM TUBEROSUM Linnæus, 1753

(Calopogon pulchellus R. Brown, 1813)

GRASS-PINK—MEADOW-GIFT

The specific name, tuberosum, refers to the tuberous or bulbous roots of this orchid.

Beautiful grassy sphagnous meadow orchid, with bulbous roots. May 15th-June 1st-July 20th-August 1st.

=Flowers=, 3-15 pink-purple, 1 inch long, subtended by acute bracts in spiked raceme 4-15 inches long. =Labellum= hinged, arching above, owing to ovary and stem being straight; broad, triangular at apex; bearded on the upper side with yellow, orange, and rose-colored club-shaped hairs. =Sepals= and =petals= acute, ovate-lanceolate, similar in texture and color. =Stem= or =scape= 1-1½ feet high. =Leaf= 1, linear-lanceolate, 8-12 inches long, grass-like with several scales below. =Seed-capsule= straight, erect, oblong.

Continental Range—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia to the shores of Lake Huron, southward throughout New England to Florida; westward to western Texas and Minnesota.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.

A beautiful grassy-leaved orchid found in company with the dainty Rose Pogonia, and frequently with the rarer Arethusa in wild cranberry marshes.]

Aplectrum

Nuttall, 1818

PUTTY-ROOT—ADAM-AND-EVE

The generic name, Aplectrum, comes from the Greek meaning without a spur.

Scapose orchids with bulb or corm-like roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= 3-lobed, shorter than petals. =Sepals= and =petals= about ½ inch long. =Flowers= without a spur, dull yellowish-brown in a loose raceme. =Anther= borne a little below the summit of column. =Pollinia= 4, lens-shaped. =Stem= or =scape= 1-2 feet high. =Leaf= 1, basal, arising from side of scape; several corms adhering to latest bulb; leaf develops in late autumn, about September 9th, hyemal; several sheathing scales above. =Seed-capsule= oblong, ovoid, angled.

Continental Range—From Ontario, southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and probably in northern California. Rather rare and local.

North American species north of Mexico 2 New England species 1 Hoosac Valley species 0

New England species: