Saturday, July 30, I was down on Whidbey Island at Deception Pass State Park to look for several orchids there. I found three Platantheras (formerly Piperias) and one Goodyera in bloom. Goodyera oblongifolia, the Giant Rattlesnake Orchis, was just starting to bloom. The three Platantheras were at different stages of their bloom seasons. Platanthera elegans, the Elegant Piperia, was nearly finished. Platanthera transversa, the Flat-spurred Piperia, was still good but past its prime, and Plaatanthera elongata, the Long-spurred Piperia was at the peak of its bloom. The latter species was also more abundant than usual, with hundreds of plants and several large colonies. It should be noted that all the Piperias are now reclassified as Platantheras, though I prefer the old names since they are so distinctive.
Giant Rattlesnake Orchis
Goodyera oblongifolia
Elegant Piperia
Platanthera elegans
Flat-spurred Piperia
Platanthera transversa
Long-spurred Piperia
Platanthera elongata
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