Part 17

_New England Range_—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, frequent; Connecticut, frequent.

[Illustration: =The Small Bog.= (_Habenaria clavellata._)]

11.—HABENARIA FLAVA (Linnæus) A. Gray, 1753-1840

TUBERCLED ORCHIS

The specific name, _flava_, comes from the Latin _flavous_, referring to the yellow flowers of this orchid.

A damp meadow or sphagnous woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. May (Florida), June 5th-August 25th (New England).

=Flowers= dull greenish-yellow, small, in a spiked raceme. =Labellum= entire, crenulated with obtuse tooth on each side, and a central tubercle at middle of base. =Sepals= and =petals= roundish, ¼ inch long. Sepals yellowish. =Stem= stout leafy 1-2 feet high. =Leaves= elliptic, acute; =bracts= longer than seed-capsule.

_Continental Range_—From Crow River, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada, southward to Alabama and the wooded Tidal Swamps, Duval County, Florida; westward to Minnesota and Missouri.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, occasional; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.

12.—HABENARIA CILIARIS (Linnæus) R. Brown, 1753-1813[74]

YELLOW-FRINGED ORCHIS

The specific name, _ciliaris_, refers to the fringed labellum, from the Latin _ciliate_,—beset with _cilia_ or hairs, like eyelashes fringing the eyelids.

A tall, wet, sandy meadow or pine barren orchid, with small fibrous roots. June-July 7th-August 14th.

=Flowers= large, showy, orange-yellow, fringed, in a many-flowered, spiked raceme, 3-6 inches long; nearly 3 inches broad. =Labellum= oblong and fringed. =Sepals= orbicular to ovate; lateral sepals reflexed; =spur= 1-1½ inch long, very slender; =petals= toothed, oblong, much smaller. =Stem= slender, leafy, 1-2½ feet high. =Leaves= lanceolate, 4-8 inches long, becoming bract-like above.

_Continental Range_—From Essex County, Canada, southward to New England, the pine barrens of New Jersey, Alabama, and Florida; westward to Illinois and Nebraska. The fringed _Habenarias_ are among our most beautiful native orchids, gracing lake-side solitudes with their flame-like spikes of purple, white, or orange.

_New England Range_—Maine, not reported; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.

13.—HABENARIA BLEPHARIGLOTTIS (Willdenow) Torrey, 1805-1826

WHITE-FRINGED ORCHIS

The specific name, _blephariglottis_, refers to the fringed throat of this orchid.

A slender bogland orchid, in similar situations with _H. ciliaris_, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June (Alabama)-July 23d-August (New England).

=Flowers= pure white, in a loosely and many-flowered spiked raceme, smaller than those of _H. ciliaris_, with which it seems to intergrade. =Labellum= narrow, oblong, slightly fringed. =Petals= toothed or sparsely fringed. =Stem= leafy, slender, 1-2 feet high.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland southward to New England, North Carolina, and Alabama; westward to Minnesota. Intermediate forms between the Yellow-Fringed and the White-Fringed _Habenarias_ are probably natural hybrids, as they are closely associated in their haunts during July and August, the hybrid usually being of a lighter yellow, blooming slightly earlier than the type species.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, infrequent; Connecticut, rare.

14.—HABENARIA HOLOPETALA (Lindley) A. Gray, 1835-1867[75]

CREAM-FRINGED ORCHIS

The specific name, _holopetala_, refers to the petals being complete, entire.

A small bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. July-August.

=Flowers= beautiful, smaller than in preceding species, cream, or lighter yellow than _H. ciliaris_. =Labellum= sparingly fringed. =Petals= narrower and entire. =Stem= 1 foot high. =Leaves= similar to type species _H. blephariglottis_ and _H. ciliaris_.

_Continental Range_—From Canada southward to Alabama, North Carolina, in company with _H. blephariglottis_.

_New England Range_—Refer to range of _H. blephariglottis_ for New England.

15.—HABENARIA LACERA (Michaux) R. Brown, 1803-1810

RAGGED-FRINGED GREEN ORCHIS

The specific name, _lacera_, refers to the lacerate or ragged and torn appearance of the fringed labellum of this species.

A bogland, meadow, or woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 20th-July 15.

=Flowers= greenish-yellow, in loose-flowered spike, 2-6 inches long. =Labellum= 3-parted, deeply fringed or ragged. =Sepals= ovate, obtuse, upper one broader than lower ones. =Stem= slender or stout, leafy, 1-2½ feet high. =Leaves= lanceolate, 5-8 inches long; bract-like above.

_Continental Range_—From Nova Scotia southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota and Indiana.

In Thompson’s Swamps, Pownal, Vermont, this species intergrades with _H. psycodes_ and _H. clavellata_. The hybrids, or those crossed with _H. psycodes_ produce flowers with light purple, and less fringed than in the true type of _H. lacera_; while those crossed with _H. clavellata_ are much less ragged fringed than in the type form of _H. lacera_, although in a much smaller spike, with nearly white or creamy-green flowers, resembling a large spike of _H. clavellata_.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, frequent; Connecticut, common.

16.—HABENARIA GRANDIFLORA (Bigelow) Torrey, 1824-1826

(_Habenaria fimbriata_ A. Gray, 1867)

LARGE PURPLE-FRINGED ORCHIS—LONG PURPLES—DEAD-MEN’S FINGERS—DEAD-MEN’S THUMBS

The specific name, _grandiflora_, refers to the grand flowers of this species; the most beautiful among the bogland _Habenarias_.

Tall, damp woodland or bogland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous or palmate roots. June-July 22d-August 16th.

=Flowers= lilac or deep purple, fragrant in densely-flowered spiked raceme; 3-15 inches long; 1-2½ inches broad. Rarely white flowered spikes occur. =Labellum= 3-parted, ½-1 inch broad; ½ inch long, deeply fringed. =Sepals= and =petals= connivent, somewhat toothed. =Spur= 1-1½ inch long, clavate. =Stem= leafy, 1-5 feet high. =Leaves= numerous, oblong, 4-10 inches long, 1-3 inches wide; bract-like above.

_Continental Range_—From Nova Scotia southward to North Carolina; westward to Wisconsin and Michigan.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, frequent; Connecticut, common.

17.—HABENARIA PSYCODES (Linnæus) A. Gray, 1753-1840

SMALL PURPLE-FRINGED ORCHIS—LONG PURPLES—DEAD-MEN’S FINGERS—DEAD-MEN’S THUMBS

The specific name, _psycodes_, comes from the Greek _psychoda_, a butterfly, probably referring to the dainty poise of the fringed, and winged-petaled flowers.

Tall bogland or damp woodland orchid, with fleshy or palmately-tuberous roots. July 1st-August-September.

=Flowers= pink-purple, rarely white, very fragrant in densely flowered spiked raceme, 2-6 inches long; 1-1½ inches broad. =Labellum= 3-parted, fan-shaped, fringed, ⅓-½ inch broad, much smaller and often confused with the larger species (_H. grandiflora_). =Sepals= and =petals= similar in texture, lower sepals ovate, upper one narrower. Petals oblong, toothed on upper margin. =Spur= clavate at apex. =Stem= leafy, 1-3 feet high.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Lake Huron southward to the swampy meadows in the western mountains of North Carolina; westward to Minnesota in tamarack sphagnous swamps.

_New England Range_—Maine, very common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, frequent.

18.—HABENARIA ANDREWSEII White n. sp. (per letter), 1903

ANDREWS’ ROSE-PURPLE ORCHIS

_Habenaria psycodes_ × _lacera_ White and Andrews, _Rhodora_ 3:245-248, 1901

The specific name, _Andrewseii_, refers to the species being named in honor of Dr. A. LeRoy Andrews, who described this species as a varietal form of _H. psycodes_ × _lacera_. The species was first discovered and collected by Mr. Marcus White, July 22, 1899.

Tall bogland orchid, with fleshy roots. July 22d-August 16th.

=Flowers= white, to rose-purple. =Labellum= about ⅓-½ inch broad, divisions deeply cleft as in _Habenaria lacera_, yet more numerous. =Sepals= round-oval, obtuse. =Petals= cuneate-spatulate and denticulate above. Arms of column slightly acute, similar to _Habenaria psycodes_. =Pollen= stalked, greenish-yellow, somewhat 2-lobed, not obstructing the orifice of nectary, as observed in _Habenaria lacera_. =Spur= longer than ovary, clavate, much enlarged below. =Ovary= intermediate or rather short. =Stem= leafy, 1-2½ feet high. =Raceme= of flowers not as broad as in _Habenaria psycodes_, but more nearly resembling the spike of _Habenaria lacera_ in form, yet fewer-flowered. =Leaves= several, as in _Habenaria lacera_.

_Continental Range_—Pownal Swamps, southwestern Vermont; no other station appears to be reported for this natural hybrid of the Purple-Fringed and Ragged Orchises (_H. psycodes_ and _H. lacera_), yet it appears to be flourishing and increasing in numbers in its special haunts.

_New England Range_—Vermont, rare; Pownal Swamps August 5, 1901 (Marcus White and A. LeRoy Andrews); August 10-16, 1903 (Grace G. Niles).

[Illustration: =Andrews’ Rose-Purple Orchis.= (_Habenaria Andrewseii._)]

IV

Pogonia

Jussieu, 1789

SWEET POGONIAS

The generic name, _Pogonia_, comes from the Greek Πωγωνίας, signifying _bearded_, from the bearded labellum of the type species.

Small bogland or woodland orchids, with fibrous creeping roots. =Anther=, 1. =Labellum= erect from base of the column, spurless. =Sepals= and =petals= free. =Anther= terminal, stalked, attached to back of column. =Pollinia=, 2, 1 in each anther-sac, powdery-granular, without caudicle. =Flowers= solitary or 1-3 in terminal raceme. =Leaves= 1-5, alternating, or in whorls as in _Pogonia verticillata_. Seedlings numerous in many places.

_Continental Range_—There are about forty-five species of this genus distributed in the wooded regions of the world. The species of _Pogonia_ have formerly been confused with _Arethusa_.

North American species north of Mexico 5 New England species 4 Hoosac Valley species 3-4

New England species:

1. _P. ophioglossoides_ (Linnæus) Ker, 1753-1816. 2. _P. trianthophora_ (Swartz) B. S. P., 1800-1888. 3. _P. verticillata_ (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818. 4. _P. affinis_ Austin, 1867.

1.—POGONIA OPHIOGLOSSOIDES (Linnæus) Ker, 1753-1816

ROSE POGONIA—SNAKE-MOUTH

The specific name, _ophioglossoides_, refers to the flower resembling a snake’s mouth.

Small sphagnous swamp-land orchid, with fibrous creeping roots. April-May (Florida), June 21st-July 20th (New England).

=Flowers= 1, sometimes 2, terminal, nodding, rather large for plants; rose and purplish-yellow; fragrant, subtended by a foliaceous bract. =Labellum= free, somewhat appressed to the column below, fringed and spurless. =Sepals= and =petals= about equal, similar. =Stem= 8-15 inches high. =Leaves= 1-3, rarely 1 basal leaf; the stem-leaf is ½-3 inches long, bluntly acute; foliaceous bract subtending seed-capsule.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, southward to the pine barrens of Alabama and Florida; westward to Minnesota and Kansas.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.

2.—POGONIA TRIANTHOPHORA (Swartz) B. S. P., 1800-1888[76]

NODDING POGONIA

The specific name, _trianthophora_, refers to the 3-lobed labellum and the usually 3 nodding flowers of this species.

Small woodland orchid, with tuberous roots. July-August 11th-September 24th.

=Flowers= 1-7 on axillary peduncles, pale purple, at first nearly erect, soon drooping, ½-⅔ inch long. =Labellum= 3-lobed, clawed, roughened, without a spur. =Sepals= and =petals= equal, connivent. Stem 3-8 inches high. =Leaves=, 2-8, alternate, ovate, clasping stem. =Seed-capsule= oval, drooping.

_Continental Range_—From Canada, southward to North Carolina, Alabama, and Kentucky; westward to Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana.

_New England Range_—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, infrequent.

3.—POGONIA VERTICILLATA (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818

LARGE WHORLED POGONIA

The specific name, _verticillata_, refers to the whorled or verticillate growth of the leaves.

Small moist woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous creeping roots. May 20th-June 15th.

=Flowers= solitary, purplish-green, and yellow, erect or declined, terminal; peduncle ½-⅔ inch long, in fruit exceeding the seed-capsule. =Labellum= 3-lobed, crested along a narrow band, upper part expanded, greenish-yellow. =Sepals= linear, 1½-2 inches long, ¹⁄₁₂ inch wide, spreading, dark purple; =petals= linear, obtuse, greenish-yellow, ⅚ inch long. =Stem= 10-12 inches high, round and purplish. =Leaves= 5, verticillate, in a whorl strongly recalling the whorls of the Indian Cucumber plants (_Medeola_), with which it grows in company; obovate, terminal, pointed at apex, 1-3 inches long. Rarely an obovate basal stem-leaf occurs below the whorl. The roots distinguish this plant from Indian Cucumber, yet many times the two plants so closely resemble each other that it is difficult to determine one from the other until the roots are revealed. The stem of the _Pogonia_, however, is larger, fleshy, purplish, and juicy, while the Indian Cucumber is brittle and slender.

_Continental Range_—From Ontario, Canada, southward to North Carolina and Florida; westward to Michigan and Indiana.

_New England Range_—Maine, not reported; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.

4.—POGONIA AFFINIS Austin, 1867[77]

SMALL WHORLED POGONIA

The specific name, _affinis_, comes from the Latin _affinitas_, near alliance, referring to the close relation or affinity this species bears to its sister species, _Pogonia verticillata_.

Small moist woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June.

=Flowers= 2 or solitary, greenish-yellow, peduncle ⅙-⅓ inch long. =Labellum= crested over the whole face and lobes. =Sepals= and =petals= equal. =Stem= 8-10 inches high. =Leaves= in a whorl of 5 at the summit, smaller than the whorl in _P. verticillata_. Seed-capsule erect, 1 inch long.

_Continental Range_—From northern Vermont, southward to Pennsylvania. This orchid has quite recently been collected in Vermont, by Mrs. Henry Holt, near Burlington (1902). Several stations in New Jersey have been destroyed since Mr. Austin first identified it there.

_New England Range_—Maine, not reported; New Hampshire, not reported; Vermont, very rare; Massachusetts, very rare; Connecticut, frequent; it should be more common in this State, since _P. verticillata_ is frequent.

V

Arethusa

Linnæus, 1753

BEAUTIFUL ARETHUSA

The generic name, _Arethusa_, refers to the dedication of this species to the nymph Arethusa of classical literature.

Small scapose orchids with bulbous roots; one of the most beautiful native orchids. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= dilated, recurved, bearded down the face, spreading at the apex. =Sepals= and =petals= similar, arched above, coherent below. =Anther= operculate. =Pollinia= 4; 2 in each anther-sac, powdery, granular. =Scape= 5-10 inches high, glabrous. =Leaves= 1, 4-6 inches long, linear, and hidden. 1-3 =bracts= or scales below. =Seed-capsule= 1 inch long, ellipsoid, 6-ribbed, rarely maturing.

_Continental Range_—In sphagnous bogs from Newfoundland, southward to North Carolina; westward to Minnesota. Rare throughout its range, seeking unfathomable cranberry marshes, among bushes of Kalmia and Labrador Tea, in close company with Rose Pogonia and Grass Pinks. A genus, consisting of 3 species for the world.

North American species north of Mexico 1 New England species 1 Hoosac Valley species 1

New England species:

1. _A. bulbosa_ Linnæus, 1753.

1.—ARETHUSA BULBOSA Linnæus, 1753

BEAUTIFUL ARETHUSA

The specific name, _bulbosa_, refers to the bulbous roots of this orchid.

Small scapose, bogland orchid with bulbous roots. May 17th-June 30th.

=Flowers= 1, rarely 2; rose-purple, terminal, nodding, arising from between 2 unequal =scales=; 1-2 inches long. =Labellum= drooping, dilated, recurved, spreading at apex, often fringed or toothed, variegated with purple blotches and yellow. =Sepals= and =petals= linear, obtuse, arched over the column. =Scape= 5-10 inches high, glabrous, producing 1-3 sheathing bracts. =Leaf= 1, linear, many-nerved, 4-6 inches long, hidden above bracts. =Root= small, onion-like bulb. =Seed-capsule= 1 inch long, ellipsoid, 6-ribbed, rarely maturing, although seedlings appear numerous in natural haunts, the sphagnum being filled with lightly-attached bulbs.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, southward to North Carolina; westward to Minnesota.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, frequent; Rhode Island, common; Connecticut, common.

[Illustration: =The Beautiful Arethusa.= (_Arethusa bulbosa_.)

Showing the structural parts of the flower, the single leaf, and bulbous root.]

VI

Gyrostachys

Persoon, 1807

(_Spiranthes_ L. C. Richard, 1818)

LADIES’ TRESSES

The generic name, _Gyrostachys_, refers to the twisting spikes, which resemble a “coil,” or “curl,” from which originated the common name of Ladies’ Tresses.

Erect spiked racemes of twisting flowers. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= clawed, concave, erect, embracing the column. =Sepals= free, coherent at top with petals, forming a galea. =Flowers= small, spurless, white or greenish, in rows. =Anther= without a lid, situated back of column. =Pollinia= 2, 1 in each anther-sac, powdery. =Fragrance= delicate. =Stem= leafy, bracted above basal leaves. =Leaves= linear, save in two species—_G. simplex_ and _G. gracilis_, in which they are round, oblong, and basal. =Roots= fleshy-fibrous, or tuberous. Seed-capsule erect and oblong.

_Continental Range_—Common in pasture-land and meadow boglands; from Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific coast. There are 80 or more species of this genus distributed throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world.

North American species north of Mexico 19-20 New England species 6 Hoosac Valley species 5-6

New England species:

1. _G. Romanzoffiana_ (Chamisso), MacMillan, 1828-1892. 2. _G. plantaginea_ (Rafinesque), Britton, 1818-1896. 3. _G. ochroleuca_ Rydberg, 1901. 4. _G. cernua_ (Linnæus), Kuntze, 1753-1891. 5. _G. simplex_ (A. Gray), Kuntze, 1867-1891. 6. _G. gracilis_ (Bigelow), Kuntze, 1824-1891.

1.—GYROSTACHYS ROMANZOFFIANA (Chamisso), MacMillan, 1828-1892

HOODED LADIES’ TRESSES

The specific name, _Romanzoffiana_, refers to the species being named in honor of Count Romanzov, a Russian nobleman.

Rather conspicuous bogland orchid, with 1-6 tuberous roots. July 15th-August 27th-September 8th.

=Flowers= white or greenish, 3-rowed, in spiked racemes, slightly twisted, 2-4 inches long, ⅓-⅔ inch thick; very fragrant. =Labellum= oblong, contracted below the crisped apex. =Sepals= and =petals= broad at the base, hooded above. =Stem= 6-15 inches high. =Leaves= below, near the base, 3-8 inches long, with bracts above. Seedlings produce but one tuber, older plants several adhering, older tubers finally withering.

_Continental Range_—From Unalaska and New Metlakatla, along the southeastern coast of Alaska, southward to Pennsylvania; westward to the Pacific Ocean, ascending 8500 feet altitude in moist meadows in Yellowstone Park, Montana, and 9500 feet on Mount Graham, in Arizona. It is especially a Northern species.

_New England Range_—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, infrequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, rare; Reservoir Swamp, Notch Road, North Adams, August 17th, 1903 (Grace G. Niles); swamps, base of Mount Greylock, Adams, (Marcus White); Mr. White is the first botanist to collect this species in Massachusetts.

[Illustration: =The Hooded Ladies’ Tresses.= (_Gyrostachys Romanzoffiana._)]

2.—GYROSTACHYS PLANTAGINEA (Rafinesque) Britton, 1818-1896

EARLY BROAD-LEAVED LADIES’ TRESSES

The specific name, _plantaginea_, refers to a supposed resemblance of this species to the spikes and foliage of certain species of Plantain (_Plantago_).

Small moist woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 7th-July 2nd-August 15th.

=Flowers= yellow and white, spreading, ¼ inch long, in densely flowered raceme, 1-2 inches long, ⅓-½ inch thick. =Labellum= pale yellow on face, oblong, not contracted in middle, apex rounded and fringed, base clawed. =Sepals= and =petals= white; lateral sepals free, lanceolate, upper sepal, united with petals. =Stem= 4-10 inches high. =Leaves= 4-5, oblanceolate, 1-5 inches long, becoming bract-like above.

_Continental Range_—From New Brunswick, Ontario, southward to Virginia; westward to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Rather rare in the southern and western range; nowhere abundant.

=New England Range=—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, rare.

3.—GYROSTACHYS OCHROLEUCA Rydberg, Britton’s _Manual_. 300, 1901[78]

YELLOW LADIES’ TRESSES

The specific name, _ochroleuca_, refers to the yellowish-green or ochroleucous color of the flowers.

Small hillside and damp pasture-land orchid, with fleshy or tuberous roots. August-September 1st-15th.

=Flowers= yellowish-green, very fragrant, in densely flowered raceme, conspicuously acute in bud, of creamy-green color, in company with _G. cernua_, but not so abundant. =Labellum= oblong, crenulate or crisped. =Stem= 12-20 inches high, pubescent. =Leaves= linear, tapering at both ends, basal, with bract-like leaves above. Slightly later than _G. cernua_.

_Continental Range_—From New Hampshire, southward to Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

_New England Range_—Without doubt in each State in company with _G. cernua_, of which it appears to be a form. Frequent Mt. Washington, Massachusetts, and swamps about North Adams, September 1st (Grace G. Niles).

4.—GYROSTACHYS CERNUA (Linnæus) Kuntze, 1753-1891

NODDING LADIES’ TRESSES

The specific name, _cernua_, refers to cernuous or nodding flowers of this species.

Small bogland or damp meadow orchid, with fleshy or tuberous roots. August 25th-September 1st-28th-October.

=Flowers= white, fragrant, nodding or spreading, ½ inch long, in three rows; densely flowered raceme, twisted, 4-5 inches long, ½-⅔ inch thick. =Labellum= oblong, apex rounded, crisped. Lateral =sepals= free; upper one arching with =petals=. =Stem= 6-25 inches high. =Leaves= at or near base, linear-oblanceolate, 3-14 inches long, with 2-6 bracts above.

_Continental Range_—From the Barren Grounds in latitude 64°-69° North, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota, Kansas, Indian Territory, Texas, and New Mexico.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Connecticut, very common.

[Illustration: =The Nodding Ladies’ Tresses.= (_Gyrostachys cernua._)]

5.—GYROSTACHYS SIMPLEX (A. Gray) Kuntze, 1867-1891[79]

LITTLE SIMPLE LADIES’ TRESSES

The specific name, _simplex_, refers to the simplicity of this species.

Slender sandy soil orchid, with _single_ tuberous root. August-September 9th.

=Flowers=, white, small, ¹⁄₁₂ inch long; in slender, twisting, spiked raceme, 1 inch long. =Labellum= obovate-oblong, short-clawed, and crisped at the summit; callosities nipple-shaped. =Stem= simple and slender, 5-9 inches high, with small bracts above basal leaves, glabrous, slightly twisted. =Leaves= 2-3 basal, oblong and short, disappearing at or after flowering season.

_Continental Range_—From Massachusetts, southward to Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Tennessee. It appears more frequent near the coast, from Nantucket, Delaware, Staten Island, and throughout New Jersey, in company with _G. gracilis_.

_New England Range_—Massachusetts, rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, infrequent.

6.—GYROSTACHYS GRACILIS (Bigelow) Kuntze, 1824-1891

SLENDER LADIES’ TRESSES

The specific name, _gracilis_, refers to the slender and grass-like spike of this species.

Small sandy woodland or pasture-land orchid, with several spindle-shaped tuberous roots. April 15th, Florida (Curtiss); May, Alabama; July 25th-September-October 15th, both North and South.

=Flowers= white, very fragrant, ⅙-¼ inch long, in a slender spiked raceme, 1-3 inches long, ⅓-½ inch thick, loose, usually much twisted. =Labellum= white on margins, thick and greenish in middle, ⅙ inch long, clawed at the base, crenulate at the apex. =Stem= 8-24 inches high, slender, grass-like. =Leaves= 3 obovate, sometimes nearly orbicular, basal, dying away at or before flowering season.

_Continental Range_—From Nova Scotia, southward throughout Canada, and New England, to Florida; westward to Minnesota, and Texas.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, very common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, very common; Connecticut, common.

[Illustration: =The Slender Ladies’ Tresses.= (_Gyrostachys gracilis._)

Showing the spindle-shaped roots; this species is closely allied with _G. simplex_, which produces but a single tuber.]

VII

Listera

R. Brown, 1813[80]

LISTER’S TWAYBLADE

The generic name, _Listera_, is in honor of Martin Lister, 1638(?)-1712, a correspondent of Ray.

Small orchids with fleshy-fibrous roots. =Anther=, 1. =Labellum= 2-cleft, longer than petals. =Sepals= and =petals= nearly alike. =Flowers= in terminal raceme, spurless. =Anther= erect, joined to column, without a lid. =Pollinia=, 2, united to gland, powdery. =Stem= 3-10 inches high. =Leaves=, 2, opposite, near the middle of the stem, 1-2 scales below.

_Continental Range_—In moist woodlands and boglands from Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific coast. There are 12 species or more belonging to the north temperate zone which are closely related to species of _Gyrostachys_ and _Peramium_, save in the herbaceous foliage.

North American species north of Mexico 8 New England species 3 Hoosac Valley species 1-2

New England species:

1. _L. convallarioides_ (Swartz) Torrey, 1800-1826. 2. _L. auriculata_ Wiegand, 1899. 3. _L. cordata_ (Linnæus) R. Brown, 1753-1813.

1.—LISTERA CONVALLARIOIDES (Swartz) Torrey, 1800-1826[81]

BROAD-LIPPED TWAYBLADE

The specific name, _convallarioides_, refers probably to a supposed resemblance of this species to _Convallaria_, the Lily-of-the-Valley.

Small woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 9th-August 17th.

=Flowers= purplish-yellow, 3-15 spurless, subtended by acute bracts, ¼-⅓ inch long. =Labellum= wedge-shaped, broader than sepals or petals, produced into 2 distinct lobes at the apex, notched in center, ornamented with tooth at the base. =Sepals= and =petals= linear-lanceolate. =Stem= 4-10 inches high. =Leaves= 2, nearly orbicular in the middle of stem, opposite, smooth, obtuse at the apex, 3-9 nerved.

_Continental Range_—From the wooded coast Unalaska, southward throughout the Canadian provinces, to North Carolina; westward to the fir-forests of Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Bay region of California.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, infrequent; Massachusetts, doubtfully reported.

2.—LISTERA AURICULATA Wiegand, 1899[82]

AURICLED TWAYBLADE

The specific name, _auriculata_, from _auriculum_, ear, refers to the auricled base of the labellum and leaves of this species.

Small cedar swamp orchid, with fibrous roots. July.

=Flowers=, many in slender raceme. =Labellum= slightly ciliate, oblong, broadest at the auricled base, cleft ¼-⅓ its length. =Sepals= lanceolate; =petals= oblong-linear, longer than the ovary, spreading, obtuse. =Stem= 4-7 inches high, slender. =Leaves= large, oval, or elliptic-ovate, borne above the middle of the stem.

_Continental Range_—From Quebec, southward to Maine and New Hampshire.

_New England Range_—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare.

3.—LISTERA CORDATA (Linnæus) R. Brown, 1753-1813.

HEART-LEAVED TWAYBLADE

The specific name, _cordata_, refers to the cordate or heart-shaped leaves.

Small, moist woodland orchid, with fibrous roots. June 27th-July 30th-August 8th.

=Flowers= minute, purplish, in a loose raceme, ½-2 inches long, 4-20 flowered, pedicels bracted, ⅙ inch long. =Labellum= 2-cleft, narrow, with a tooth on each side at the base. =Sepals= and =petals= oblong-linear. =Stem= slender, 3-10 inches high. =Leaves= 2, heart-shaped, or cordate ½-1 inch long.

_Continental Range_—From Alaska, southward to Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Pacific region; and New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, in the Atlantic region. It appears to be more of a northern plant than _L. convallarioides_.

_New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, common; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, infrequent; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.

VIII

Peramium

Salisbury, 1812

(Goodyera R. Brown, 1813)

RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN