Fall (or is it winter?) Orchids

[Afid]

I decided to check out some of the orchids near my house today, I wasn't disappointed!
Calypso bulbosa var. americana
Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis (Two photos)
Goodyera oblongifolia (two photos)

[neophyte]

wow - that's amazing!

ps: what gave away the C. maculata without the flowers?

[Afid]

Originally Posted by neophyte

what gave away the C. maculata without the flowers?

It is tricky for sure, in this case it was mainly due to it being a population I have known for several years. The capsules of C. maculata are much larger than any of the "small" species (trifida and wisteriana [and others elswhere]) which leaves only C. striata nad C. mertensiana. C. mertensiana has a large mentum (spur) that is separate from the capule, C. striata has no mentum at all, and C. maculata has a small mentum fused to the capsule. I have attached some pictures of C. maculata and C. mertensiana with the mentum pointed out (and a fly with pollinia on its back).

[Afid]

It is also a lot easier to identify them in person. It is quite difficult to get identifiable photographs of Corallorhiza capsules.

[Roberta]

I am quite amazed that the Calypso bulbosa and the Goodyeara oblongifolia still have leaves in the snow. Probably not long to dormancy, though, I'd think. I look at those photos and shiver... but then at my house it was about 92 deg F with 10% humidity today. Hoping for fall to resume... soon.

[Afid]

Interestingly enough both species will retain their leaves all winter. G. oblongifolia is evergreen, and C. bulbosa has a bizarre "backwards" growth cycle. It grows a new leaf in the fall, which persists through winter only to drop off in late spring a few weeks after flowering.

[Tindomul]

Gorgeous!!!! Would love to see these someday.