Part 66

This is a curious and showy flower, much sought because of its rarity; its leafage is full, and fine in its long lines and strong curves, and the four flying white pennants give the blossom a cheerful and animated expression.

*----* Pogonia ophioglossoides.

Found in swamps and other moist grounds during June and July.

The stalk grows between 6 and 9 inches high; it is smooth, and slender; the color is green.

The leaf is oval, with a thick texture, and smooth surface. Color, a rather light green. Only 2 leaves clasp the stalk, one about midway, and another, much smaller, quite near the flower.

The 5 petals and calyx-parts are long, and narrow, and spread apart to disclose the “bearded” lower petal (or lip); their color is a light rose-pink, the fringed lip being darker, with a pale yellow “beard.” The flower is poised lightly upon the summit of the stalk.

This is one of the prettiest of our Orchids; its fragrance is fresher, and less heavy than that of many of its stouter relatives.

*----* Calopogon pulchellus.

Found in swamps and wet grounds, in July.

The smooth, green, flower-stem rises directly from the root, to the height of about a foot.

One grass-like, green leaf grows from the root.

The lower petal of the blossom is wedge-shaped, with a prolonged base, and somewhat fringy in the center,--owing to the straightness of the foot-stem it points upward; the other petals and calyx-parts are pointed-oval in shape; the pistil is petal-like, and curling. The color of the flower is dark magenta, the fringes on the lip being magenta and yellow. From 2 to 6 flowers, on very short foot-stems, grow upon the single stem.

The lip is provided with a hinge, which permits it to fall, and rest upon the curling tip of the pistil beneath.

*Early Purple Fringed Orchid.* Habenaria fimbriata. *Meadow Pink.*

Found on moist and shaded banks, or beside wayside runlets, in June.

The single, erect, and leafy stalk, which grows from 15 inches to 2 feet in height, is sharp-angled, somewhat twisted, and smooth to the touch. In color it is a cool, pleasing green.

The lower leaves are sometimes 6 inches long and about 2 wide, above they are small and narrow; the shape is a long-pointed oblong, deeply indented on the strong midrib; with an entire margin, and a smooth shining surface. The color is a cool dark green, silvery with bloom underneath.

The flower is large and beautiful. The lower petal, or lip, is widely spreading and deeply 3-cleft with a fine fringed margin, and a long and slender, curving spur; the other petals are sharp-pointed, their outer margins notched; two of the calyx-parts flare like wings at either side, while the third part is erect between the upper petals; the texture is very fine, and delicate. The color is an exquisite pale lilac, the lip being slightly darker, and fading to a pure waxen white at the throat; the spur is pale pink, or nearly white. The flowers, on fine, twisted and curved, green foot-stems, are arranged alternately, and close together, in a large feathery spire, each foot-stem springing from the angle of a small leaf or bract.

The blossoms are slightly odorous, as though no gift had been refused to this lovely Orchid. Not least among its delightsome qualities is the rich toned green of its leaf, contrasting with the fairy lightness of its blossoming spire.

*Small Purple Fringed Orchid.* Habenaria psycodes.

Found by roadside springs, or in low damp meadows, during July and August.

The stalk is sparingly leafy, round and smooth, and varies in height from 1 to 8 feet; light green in color.

The long leaf is sharp-pointed at the tip, thin but tough in texture, and smooth; in color yellow-green, not dark. The leaves are few in number, clasping, and near the top somewhat sheath-like; they are placed alternately.

The flower is small; the lip fan-shaped, 3-cleft, and fringed; the other petals erect and fringy; the slender spur is curving, and longer than the foot-stem; the calyx-parts are small and rounded, one being erect and the two others spreading at the sides. The texture is fine, and the color is a clear light lilac, the spur being purplish-green. The curious little foot-stem looks like a rolled leaf; it is green, or slightly tinted pink. The flowers are placed in a terminal spire, springing from the angles of small pale green leaves (bracts).

Green at first, the lilac flush overspreads the buds as they swell before the blossoms expand. It is an odorous flower, and fortunately not uncommon. The spur is more curving than that of the Large Purple Fringed, and the whole plant is more slender and less perfect in its details, yet it is sufficiently like its early sister to be taken for a belated specimen of the fimbriata when first espied amongst the tall grasses.

*----* Habenaria Hookeri.

Found along swamps, or in woods, in June.

The angular, somewhat twisted, green flower-stem rises from between two leaves, to the height of 8 or 12 inches.