Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Galearis rotundifolia


This species was once classified as Amerorchis.  It is closely related to the European genus Orchis and was once classified as part of that genus.  Under either name, it is the only such species in the North America.  It does not, however, grow in Washington, though it grows in Idaho and Montana and other northern states further east.  It is not a large plant, growing to 20 cm tall with 1.5 cm flowers.  Where it is found, however, it often grows in profusion, carpeting the ground.  We have been in places where it grows so thickly it is difficult to walk without stepping on plants.  It has a number of different color forms one of which we found this summer and which will be the subject of a future post.

July 8
(Canadian Rockies)












 July 10
(Canadian Rockies)











8 comments:

Angel Mar said...

Very beautiful! He did not know the gender. Recalls in the structure of the flower to our Orchis militaris. Fantastic photographs Ron!

Upupaepops said...

angels with spotted dresses

Ron said...

They are closely related to Orchis, Angel, but have been moved from that genus because of their distribution in North America.

Ron said...

Great description, Marti. They are really amazing when you see them in the wild. Wish they grew here in Washington.

Andrew Lane Gibson said...

Simply spectacular, Ron! This is a species I have had many a dream of seeing. One day...

Ron said...

Thanks for looking and commenting, Andrew. Hope you get to see it soon. You need to make a trip out our way.

Unknown said...

This one really is a stunner. It looks particularly european, as mentioned above. I can see how it is closely related to Orchis. Top photos again. I also like that it grows side by side with butterwort. That makes for a nice colormix.

In Germany the last species is in bloom at the moment and then the long wait starts again.

Ron said...

Thanks for the comments, Martin. We have a few things hanging on yet. Found a few Epipactis with flowers last Monday and up in the Mountains there are some Piperias and Spiranthes still blooming, but I'm done for the season. Training for a Mount Bker climb now.