That area was a farm at one time. This is the same general area that I photographed the Platanthera lacera, P. clavellata, Cypripedium acaule, Tipularia discolor and Goodyera pubescens(almost). Also several other rare plants in the area.
My first Orchid of the season
- Thread starter oji
- Start date
Last night while looking for a spot to photograph the night sky, I came across several rye fields that I haven't been in before. Today, I returned to visit two and found a group of Ladies'-tresses that looked much different that what I have been seeing in the area. These smaller orchids have slightly larger flowers and less of them. The flowers are also pure white in color.
Becks Ladies'-tresses (S. tuberosa). I have seen the spider on other white flowers.
The necessary close up.
Becks Ladies'-tresses (S. tuberosa). I have seen the spider on other white flowers.
The necessary close up.
Wow, you guys are having all the luck with Spiranthes, those are some fantastic pictures! A friend and I hiked nearly eight miles today, and we didn't see a single one. It's tough hunting these needles in haystacks; in previous years I've found S. laciniata, S. lucida (in northern NJ), and of course S. cernua, but I haven't had any luck with S. lacera or S. tuberosa to date.
Oji, I thought you might find this photograph to be of some interest. Notice the difference in size between the tresses. The plant centered is almost twenty-four inches tall, while the plant to the lower left of it is close to six inches tall. As you know, both fall into the normal height range for S. l. var. gracilis, but it is drastic to see.
It reminds me of the movie Twins with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito! If you want to see something unusual (non-orchid) on Rt. 530 in Pemberton Borough in front of Shady Oaks Apts. is a Quercus marilandica that is 55' tall and 8' in circumference.
Guy, I was in that spot yesterday around lunchtime. As you walk around you keep seeing more and more! Today I was in the area you were in this morning. We must be seeing each others footprints.
Guy, In your picture you can see a green coloring inside the flower. You can't see it in my photo but there is no green.
I looked for Spiranthes laciniata last week but I didn't see any but if it isn't blooming it's hard to see in all the green.
Teegate, Ladies'-tresses are one of the harder orchids to identify. One thing I have learned to look at that helps me ID the plant is the flower. If you look at the second picture of my post #162, the flower is completely white. Now look at the flower in your post #170. Notice how the throat of the flower you photographed is green, that small detail and the dense spiral of the spike (inflorescence) is a strong indicator that it is Spiranthes gracilis or Southern Slender Ladies'-tresses.
Oji's flower, is appears identical, but the flower is solid color. S. tuberosa is the only Spiranthes to bloom midsummer with a flower that is pure white. The color of the flower, time of year and details in the flower itself helped with its ID.
I have been reading a new field guide which has helped me learn much more. Being able to see the flower in person helps too.
Oji's flower, is appears identical, but the flower is solid color. S. tuberosa is the only Spiranthes to bloom midsummer with a flower that is pure white. The color of the flower, time of year and details in the flower itself helped with its ID.
I have been reading a new field guide which has helped me learn much more. Being able to see the flower in person helps too.
