My first Orchid of the season

[oji]

Listera australis- Southern twayblade

 

[Teegate]

Very nice Tom! Now you have to find one before this date next year.

Guy

 

[Gibby]

I'm jealous and what a great find, Oji. Yesterday, I was searching all over for Swamp Pink, hoping the warm weather caused an early bloom. I came home dirty and cut up with nothing on my camera, but I enjoyed the hunt.

 

[bobpbx]

Tom, that reminds me. I found a crane-fly orchid yesterday in Manahawkin. As you know (since you clued me into it), I could only identify it by the leaf, but it is a sure-thing due to the bicolor going on.

 

[oji]

Guy, I hope I don't! Gibby, I plan on looking for some Swamp Pink later this week. Bob, Did that area have different soil? The area it grows around here was a farm at one time. The Phila. Botanical club has a field trip in this area coming up.

 

[bobpbx]

Bob, Did that area have different soil.

Definitely. Swampy hardwood muck.

 

[Gibby]

Oji, I took a moment on my way home today from work to see if I could find an example of the orchid you photographed. I found a small group of them. I was astonished! Twayblades are tiny! What they lack in size they make up in beauty. A deep marron flower complimented by green blushing leaf. Incredible! I'm heading back tomorrow evening with a tripod and remote to get a few sharp macro photographs. ( Sundews are emerging too)

 

[oji]

Oji, I took a moment on my way home today from work to see if I could find an example of the orchid you photographed. I found a small group of them. I was astonished! Twayblades are tiny! What they lack in size they make up in beauty. A deep marron flower complimented by green blushing leaf. Incredible! I'm heading back tomorrow evening with a tripod and remote to get a few sharp macro photographs. ( Sundews are emerging too)

Nice! It's funny, you'll be standing in an area wondering if any are there and once you spot one your eye gets trained on what to look for and you notice they are all around you.

 

[Gibby]

Nice! It's funny, you'll be standing in an area wondering if any are there and once you spot one your eye gets trained on what to look for and you notice they are all around you.

Exactly! I was looking through the ground litter of needles, moss and branches, when I noticed something different. As soon as I saw the orchid, I knew what it was. The appearance stands out against the normal ground textures. Soon as I found the one, I noticed many more in the area. Quite unique to see.

 

[piker56]

I agree. When I canoe, I often beach, walk about 10 yards into the woods and just stand and look. It's amazing what you can see while you're still.

 

[Gibby]

Using the tripod and being patient, payed off this afternoon. A photograph to compliment Oji's.

 

[bobpbx]

Nice shot Gibby. Orchids are unique treasures.

 

[Teegate]

I did not look for Orchids today but found leatherleaf in bloom. Click to make them larger.

Guy

 

[Teegate]

I also believe this is Swamp Pink.

 

[Gibby]

I have a question about a detail I noticed today while visiting a spot I first saw Southern Twayblade. Some orchids have a bicolor leaf, which are red on the bottom and green on the top. The flowers of the same plant are solid red. The other orchid has a solid green leaf and this plant has a flower with a "blond" top. With that being said, my question is - Am I observing two different species of orchids that are similar in appearance or is it just a color trait of Twayblade? Thanks in advance.

 

[ecampbell]

Can you give me an ID on this little gem I found on a deer path off of Riders Switch?

 

[oji]

Ed, my guess is Anemone quinquefolia.

 

[Gibby]

Ecampbell, that is False Rue Anemone (Isopyrum biternatum).

 

[manumuskin]

I think I saw some of them yesterday.I was thinking some type of vilet but I doubt on second thought a violet would grow along the edge of a dirt road going through a cedar swamp.I'm glad I didn't eat it which I sometimes do to violets,roses and day lilly flowers.

 

[oji]

2nd