Part 67

The large and rounding leaf is 3 or 4 inches broad, and not greatly longer; it has many parallel ribs marking it underneath, a thick and leathery texture, and a smooth, very glossy surface. The color is a strong dark green, the underside being covered with a pale bloom. The two leaves are opposite each other, lying upon the ground.

The flower is rather noticeable in shape, for the lip is wide at the base, with a pointed and much curving tip; the upright petals are very sharp-pointed (like a scimetar), and their needle-like tips cross each other; the spur is a trifle longer than the foot-stem, and very slender; the broad upright part of the calyx behind the upper petals curves forward over them, and nearly meets the upward curve of the lip (thus increasing a resemblance to a pair of nippers); the side calyx-parts are oblong, with fine tips, which turn back. In color all parts of the flower are green, the lip tending somewhat toward yellow. The flowers are set, on twisted foot-stems, alternately, and a certain space apart, in a spike; they each spring from the angle of a sharp-pointed little leaf (or bract) which is longer than the foot-stems.

One of the most interesting features of this Orchid is the peculiar varnished appearance of the underside of the foot-leaf.

*Fringed Green Orchid.* Habenaria lacera. *Ragged Orchis.*

Found, during July and August, on moist banks, and beside running water.

The round smooth stalk grows to be 8 or 12 inches high; it is nearly white at the foot, gaining to a dull, but pale, green near the flowers.

The few leaves are lance-shaped, large near the ground and lessening to a mere sheath above, of a tough texture, and smooth surface. They are alternately placed, and clasp the stalk with a marked fold on the midrib. The color is a faded yellow-green.

The lip of the small flower is fan-shaped, with a very narrow base, 3-cleft, and spreading; the other petals are erect and fringy; the spur is long and curved; the calyx is small, the side-parts flaring, the third part erect behind the petals; it is colored a pale yellow-green. The foot-stem is slightly twisted, as long as the spur, and pale. The blossoms are placed alternately, rising from the angles of small enfolding leaves (bracts), in a scattering terminal spike.

There is a monotony of hue about this plant, and a general dinginess of aspect, that render it rather uninteresting; the lip more nearly approaches clarity of tone than any other part of the flower.

*----* Habenaria hyperborea.

Found in cold dark bogs, and deep woods, in July and August.

The rigidly erect stalk, in height 10 to 18 inches, is round and smooth at the foot, but becomes angular or grooved, and twisted, above; pale green in color.

The lower leaves are oblong, and round-pointed, the upper leaves longer and sharp-pointed; they are folded on the midrib, and leathery in texture; in color dark green, the underside pale, shining, and moist. They are placed alternately, and clasp the stalk like a sheath. Three or 4 large leaves occur at the foot; the change to the pointed shape is very abrupt.

The flower is small; the lip is sharp-pointed and flaring, the other petals smaller and narrow, their tips overlapping, under the erect calyx-part, while the two side calyx-parts curve downwards; the spur is blunt, short, and curved. The seed-box is very noticeable, shaped like a large dangled bag, with a very small neck, from which the blossom spreads. All parts of the flowers are tinted alike, a dull green. They are set tight to the stalk each in the clasp of a small sharp-tipped pale-green leafy bract, in a close club-shaped spike.

The stamens just show their brown tips under the hooded petals, thus increasing the fantastic likeness to a little old woman which is given to the flower by its big seed-box. Reports from Iceland and Greenland show that this Orchid ventures far into the arctic regions.

*Rattlesnake Plantain.* Goodyera pubescens.

Found in rich woods, usually near evergreens, and blossoming in July and August.

This leaf is oval, with a short, wide foot-stem; its entire margin is ruffled a little, it is thick, silky-soft to the touch, and of a gray-green color finely netted with whitey-green markings. The leaves are set in a cluster, close to the ground.

The small greenish-white flower has a lip like a short pouch, with a sharp, narrow tip, the outer parts being folded loosely about it; it is waxen in texture, and placed on the top of the green, downy seed-box. The flowers are set closely in a spike, whose stem rises from the middle of the leaf-tuft to the height of 6 or more inches.

The foliage of this Orchid is more striking than its flower, and usually lasts very late into the fall.

*Lady’s Tresses.* Spiranthes Romanzoffiana.

Found during July and August beside meadow runnels, and on moist banks.

The round little flower-stem is twisted and smooth; about 8 or 10 inches high; and of a pale green color, pink at the foot.

The long narrow leaf, with its sharp-pointed tip, is not large, and contracts to a mere sheath near the flower; its texture is thick, and surface smooth; it clasps the stem. The arrangement is alternate, and the color is a dull, but pale, green.

The small flower is indeterminate in shape, with an oblong down-bent lip, all the other parts being erect and holding their tips together; the throat is round and hollow; the texture is waxen and the color white, or sometimes tinged with faint dull yellow. The flowers, set down in the hold of enfolding, green sheath-like bracts whose pointed tips curve over the blossoms, are arranged in rows to form a close spike.

The twisting of the flower-stem causes the ranks of blossoms to appear to be placed in a spiral arrangement. The flowers have a cloying perfume.

*Lady’s Tresses.* Spiranthes præcox.

Found in moist meadows and waysides during September and October.