Part 18

The origin of the generic name, _Peramium_, is not given in the original description. It may come from _Ammon_, _Amen_, the Egyptian Sun-God of Life, since to the blotched leaves of this genus the Indians attribute great powers, as a remedy against the deadly amniotic poison received from the rattlesnake’s bite.

Orchids with erect bracted scapes, and fleshy-fibrous roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= concave, or sessile roundish-ovate. Lower =sepals= free, upper one united with petals into a galea. =Flowers= in densely-flowered, or 1-sided bracted spikes. =Anther= erect, attached to column, without a lid. =Pollinia= 2, 1 in each anther-sac, composed of angular grains attached to small disk, cohering with top of stigma. =Stems= or =scapes= bracted, 5-20 inches high. =Leaves= several, basal, blotched, with beautiful network of white, green or yellow, resembling a snake’s skin. =Seed-capsule= erect, nearly always maturing. =Seedlings= abundant in _conifer_ shades.

_Continental Range_—From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota and California. There are 25 or more species of this genus ranging in the temperate and tropical regions of the world.

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

New England species:

1. _P. repens_ (Linnæus) Salisbury, 1753-1812. 2. _P. pubescens_ (Willdenow) MacMillan, 1805-1892. 3. _P. Menziesii_ (Lindley) Morong, 1840-1894. 4. _P. ophioides_ (Fernald) Rydberg, 1899-1901.

1.—PERAMIUM REPENS (Linnæus) Salisbury, 1753-1812

SMALL ONE-SIDED GOODYERA—NET-LEAF RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN

The specific name, _repens_, refers to the creeping roots of this species.

Small _conifer_, woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. July 19th-August 5th-30th.

=Flowers= white, on _1-sided_ spike, ⅙-¼ inch long. =Labellum= saccate, recurved, narrowed at apex; column short. =Stem= 5-10 inches high. =Leaves= ovate, basal in a rosette, pointed, yellowish-green, ½-1¼ inch long, ⅓-⅔ inch wide, blotched with white or lighter yellowish-green; several bracts above. This species intergrades with other New England species of _Peramium_, so as to make their designation difficult in many stations.

_Continental Range_—From Nova Scotia, possibly Alaska (?), southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota, South Dakota, and Colorado. Ascends 5000 feet altitude in Virginia.

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

2.—PERAMIUM PUBESCENS (Willdenow) MacMillan, 1805-1892

DOWNY RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN—CANKER-ROOT

The specific name, _pubescens_, refers to the hirsute or downy leaves and scape of this species.

Small _conifer_ woodland orchid, with fleshy-fibrous roots. June 15 Virginia (Curtiss); May 8th Wisconsin; July 4th-September, New England.

=Flowers= greenish-white, in densely-flowered (_not 1-sided_) spike. =Labellum= saccate, apex recurved, obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate; =petals= and upper sepal arching in an ovate galea. =Stem= 6-20 inches high, clothed with hairs, much more hirsute, or downy, than _P. repens_. =Leaves= basal, in a rosette, 1-2 inches long, strongly blotched with greenish-white, 5-10 scales above. The Creeping Goodyera (_P. repens_) intergrades with this species and causes confusion in designation. _P. pubescens_ spikes are _not 1-sided_, the rosette of leaves are of a bluer velvety green, blotched with a purer white network, while _P. repens_ rosette of leaves is dull yellowish-green.

_Continental Range_—From Ontario, Newfoundland, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota. Ascends 4000 feet altitude in North Carolina.

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

[Illustration: =The Haunts of the Rattlesnake Plantain, amid the Pines and Spruces of the Domelet, Pownal, Vermont.=]

3.—PERAMIUM MENZIESII (Lindley) Morong, 1840-1894[83]

MENZIES’ RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN

The specific name, _Menziesii_, refers to the dedication of this species, in honor of the explorer and botanist Menzies.

Small _conifer_ woodland orchid, with fibrous-fleshy roots. June-July 21st-August 20th-September 15th.

=Flowers= greenish-white, spike _not 1-sided_. =Labellum= scarcely saccate, swollen at base, apex narrower, and recurved. =Anther= ovate, pointed; the buds, flowers, and leaves are all conspicuously acute. =Stem= 8-15 inches high. =Leaves= basal in rosette, bracts above, often without blotches of white; resembling _P. pubescens_ very much, although the basal leaves are stiffer and acute at apex and base. The _Peramiums_ intergrade with each other, confusing their specific characters.

_Continental Range_—From Loring, Chilcat, southeast coast of Alaska, southward to Lake Huron, Quebec, Maine, Vermont(?), and New York; westward to Arizona and California. Ascends 9500 feet altitude in Arizona.

_New England Range_—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, doubtfully reported; Massachusetts, doubtfully reported.

4.—PERAMIUM OPHIOIDES (Fernald) Rydberg, 1899-1901

WHITE-BLOTCHED RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN

The specific name, _ophioides_, comes from _ophis_, a serpent, and _oides_, like, referring to the blotched leaves resembling a snake’s skin.

Small cold mossy woodland orchid with thick fleshy-fibrous roots. July-September.

=Flowers= greenish-white; galea concave with a short, strongly recurved tip. =Labellum= deeply saccate, with recurved margins and tip. =Anther= blunt. =Scape= 4-8 inches high, glandular-pubescent. =Leaves= basal in rosette, several; leaf-blade broadly ovate, dark green, usually with the white blotches most conspicuous along the cross-veins. Spike of flowers _1-sided_, loosely arranged. A variety of _P. repens_, with which it is confused.

_Continental Range_—From Prince Edward Island to Manitoba, southward to North Carolina, in company with _P. repens_ and _P. pubescens_.

_New England Range_—Vermont, frequent; Massachusetts, common.

IX

Achroanthes

Rafinesque, 1808

(_Microstylis_ Nuttall, 1818)

ADDER’S-MOUTH

The generic name, _Achroanthes_, refers to the green flowers of this genus.

Small orchids with solid bulbs. =Anther=, 1. =Labellum= cordate, or eared, at the base, embracing the column. =Sepals= free; petals linear, spreading. =Flowers= minute white or greenish, in a terminal raceme. =Anther= erect between the auricles, 2-celled. =Pollinia=, 4, 2 in each anther-sac, smooth and waxy, without caudicles or glands, and cohering at summit. =Stem=, 4-10 inches high. =Leaf= 1, with several scales at base of stem. =Seed-capsule= oval, or globose.

_Continental Range_—From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to Nebraska and Arizona, where a species seeks 9500 feet elevation on Mount Graham. There are 70-80 species reported in the temperate and tropical regions of the world.

North American species north of Mexico 7 New England species 2 Hoosac Valley species 2

New England species:

1. _A. monophylla_ (Linnæus) Green, 1753-1891. 2. _A. unifolia_ (Michaux) Rafinesque, 1803-1808.

1.—ACHROANTHES MONOPHYLLA (Linnæus) Green, 1753-1891

WHITE ADDER’S-MOUTH

The specific name, _monophylla_, refers, inappropriately, to the one leaf, since each of our New England species are 1-leaved.

Small woodland orchid, with bulbous root. June 20th-July 25th-August 2d.

=Flowers= whitish, in a club-like raceme, 1-3 inches long, ¼-½ inch thick; flowers ¹⁄₁₂ inch long, minute, pedicels nearly erect, subtended by bracts ⅙ inch long. =Labellum= ovate, acuminate, notched on sides. =Sepals= and =petals= acute, narrow. =Stem=, 4-6 inches high. =Leaf=, 1, sheathing at its base, 1-2 inches long, distinguished from following species, _A. unifolia_, by being near base of stem instead of middle.

_Continental Range_—From New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, southward to Vermont, doubtfully reported for New Bedford, Massachusetts; westward to Oneida, New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Indiana, and Texas.

_New England Range_—Maine, infrequent; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, Pownal, Swamp of Oracles (Marcus White), rare; Massachusetts, Berlin, and Spencer (Dr. G. E. Stone); Mount Greylock bog, North Adams (Marcus White), rare.

2.—ACHROANTHES UNIFOLIA (Michaux) Rafinesque, 1803-1808

GREEN ADDER’S-MOUTH

The specific name, _unifolia_, one-leaved, refers, like the preceding species, to the 1 leaf.

Small damp woodland orchid, with bulbous root. May-June 26th (South)-July 25th-August 10th-September (North).

=Flowers= in club-shaped raceme 1-3 inches long, 1 inch thick; greenish, minute, ¹⁄₁₂ inch long, pedicels slender, spreading, ¼-½ inch long. =Labellum= broad, 3-toothed at apex. =Sepals= oblong. =Stem=, 4-10 inches high. =Leaf=, 1, near the middle of stem, clasping, nearly orbicular. =Seed-capsule= oval, drooping.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, Ontario, southward to Florida; westward to Missouri and Minnesota. Ascends 4000 feet altitude in North Carolina.

_New England Range_—Maine, frequent; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, Pownal (Grace G. Niles), rare; Massachusetts, Mount Greylock pasture, North Adams (Marcus White), rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, rare.

[Illustration: =The Green Adder’s-Mouth.= (_Achroanthes unifolia._)]

X

Leptorchis

Thouars, 1808

(_Liparis_ Richard, 1818)

LILY-LEAVED TWAYBLADE

The generic name, _Leptorchis_, comes from the Greek, referring to a slender orchid. The former name, _Liparis_, referred to the smooth and shining leaves of these plants.

Small low orchids with bulbous roots. =Anther=, 1. =Labellum= nearly flat, often bearing 2 tubercles above the base. =Sepals= and =petals= spreading, petals usually narrow. =Flowers= in a terminal raceme, numerous and showy. =Pollinia=, 4, 2 in each anther-sac, smooth and waxy, slightly united, without stalks or glands. =Stem= or =scape=, 2-10 inches high. =Leaves=, 2, basal, broad, oval and shining, with several sheathing scales at base. Two or three seasons bulbs adhere to the latest bulb, and in time wither away. =Seed-capsule= long, erect, club-shaped.

_Continental Range_—In moist woodlands and along springy roadside banks. From Canada, New England southward to Georgia; westward to Iowa, Minnesota, and Washington. There are about 100 species of this genus, distributed in the temperate and tropical regions of the world.

North American species north of Mexico 2 New England species 2 Hoosac Valley species 2

New England species:

1. _L. liliifolia_ (Linnæus) Kuntze, 1753-1891. 2. _L. Loeselii_ (Linnæus) MacMillan, 1753-1892.

1.—LEPTORCHIS LILIIFOLIA (Linnæus) Kuntze, 1753-1891

LARGE LILY-LEAVED TWAYBLADE

The specific name, _liliifolia_, refers to the lily-leaves of this species.

Small, moist woodland orchid, with bulbous onion-like roots, more or less exposed. May 17th-June 1st-July 16th.

=Flowers= purplish-green in loose terminal raceme, many-flowered, and showy. =Labellum= purple, wedge-obovate. =Sepals= and =petals= narrow and reflexed. =Stem= or =scape=, 4-10 inches high. =Leaves=, 2, basal, oval, 2-5 inches long, smooth shining emerald-green. =Seed-capsule= club-shaped, erect.

_Continental Range_—From Maine southward to Georgia and Alabama; westward to Minnesota.

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

[Illustration: =The Large Twayblade.= (_Leptorchis liliifolia._)]

2.—LEPTORCHIS LOESELII (Linnæus) MacMillan, 1753-1892

LOESEL’S GREEN TWAYBLADE—FEN-ORCHIS

The specific name, _Loeselii_, refers to the dedication of this species in honor of the botanist Loesel.

Small damp thicket or dry sandy roadside orchid, with onion-like bulbous roots; old bulbs adhering to latest bulb, somewhat exposed. May 30th-June 25th-July 27th.

=Flowers= greenish, minute ⅙-¼ inch long, in a few-flowered raceme, smaller than preceding species, _L. liliifolia_; one of the smallest native orchids. =Labellum= pointed, obovate, apex incurved. =Sepals= narrow, lanceolate. =Petals= reflexed, linear. =Stem= or =scape= 2-8 inches high, 5-7 ribbed. =Leaves= 2, basal, 2-6 inches long, stiff, strongly veined, resembling Plantain leaves. =Seed-capsules= erect, wide-angled.

_Continental Range_—From Nova Scotia southward to Maryland, Kentucky; westward, to Minnesota and Washington.

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

XI

Calypso[84]

Salisbury, 1807

BEAUTIFUL CALYPSO—NORTHERN CALYPSO

The generic name, _Calypso_, refers to the dedication of this genus to the Goddess Calypso. Its Greek signification is not only, as Salisbury wrote, to “cover and conceal” the stigma of the species, but also to preserve a poetical analogy between this botanical goddess, so difficult of access, and the secluded Goddess of Silence, whose Isle of Ogygia was fabled to be miraculously protected from observation by navigators.[85]

Small bogland orchid with solid bulbous and coralloid roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= shoe-shaped, saccate, 2-parted at the apex. =Sepals= and =petals= free, similar in texture. =Flowers= 1, large, terminal pendulous, bracted, resembling a Lady’s Slipper (_Cypripedium_). Linnæus wrongly designated this species _Cypripedium bulbosum_ in 1753. =Stem= or =scape= 3-6 inches high. =Leaf= 1, hyemal, appearing as an autumnal leaf about September 2d,[86] sheathed above by 2-3 scales. =Anther= lid-like below the summit of column. =Pollinia= 2, 2-parted, without caudicles, waxy, sessile, on a thick gland. =Seed-capsule= about ½ inch long, many-nerved.

_Continental Range_—From Alaska, Labrador, southward, to Middlebury, Vermont, and doubtfully reported for Pelham, Massachusetts; westward to California and New Mexico. First collected in the United States in the State of Vermont, at Charleston and Morgan by the botanist Carey, who resided at Bellows Falls in 1831-1833. A monotypic species ranging in cooler portions of north temperate zone, in Europe, Asia, and North America, assuming slight varietal changes in different regions.

North American species 1 New England species 1 Hoosac Valley species 0

New England species:

1. _C. bulbosa_ (Linnæus) Oakes, 1753-1842.

1.—CALYPSO BULBOSA (Linnæus) Oakes, 1753-1842[87]

BEAUTIFUL CALYPSO—NORTHERN CALYPSO

The specific name, _bulbosa_, refers to the bulbous root of this species, which was originally confounded by Linnæus in 1753 as a bulbous _Cypripedium_, and later placed under its generic designation _Calypso_ by Salisbury in 1807.

Small sphagnous bogland or _conifer_ woodland orchid, with bulbous and coralloid roots. April 19th-May 3d-June 15th-July 12th.

=Flowers= terminal, variegated with purple-pink, yellow, or white; shoe-shaped or saccate, resembling a Lady’s Slipper, with which genus it was confused by Linnæus in 1753. =Labellum= large, saccate or shoe-shaped pink-purple, 2-parted at apex, with patch of yellow (or white) woolly hairs near the point of division, spreading. =Sepals= and =petals= free, similar in texture. =Stem= or =scape= 3-6 inches high. =Leaf= 1, autumnal, appearing about September 2d, hyemal, basal, sheathed above by 2-3 scales. =Seed-capsule= ½ inch long, many-nerved.

_Continental Range_—From Sitka, Alaska, Labrador, southward to Middlebury, Vermont, and possibly as far south as Pelham, Massachusetts; westward to Humboldt Bay, mouth of Russian River, California, and northeastern New Mexico.

First collected in the United States in Vermont by the botanist Carey in 1831-1833. The Rocky Mountain _Calypso_ appears to be distinguished from the eastern _Calypso_ by producing a beard of white instead of yellow hairs at the point of division of the labellum. This varietal form is designated _Calypso occidentalis_ (Holzinger) Heller.

Robert Brown, as early as 1813, attempted to establish a distinct species in the American _Calypso_, from that of the European and Asiatic forms. He designated the North American form, _Calypso Americana_. Neither Lindley nor Hooker approved of this distinction, Hooker remarking that the species even in the same country may vary in structure or colors, but not permanently enough to designate it specifically. Smith, Richard and Lindley later agreed with Dr. Hooker in “considering the American, European and Asiatic _Calypso_ the same.”

_Calypso bulbosa_ is the only species of this genus in the north temperate zone, and is nearly related to the section _Pleiones_ of genus _Cœlogyne_, meaning “two-lipped” or 2-parted at the apex of the labellum. _Cœlogyne_ is a native of Asia, and many of the closely allied _Pleiones_ are alpine-orchids, their large rose-colored or cream-colored flowers clinging to the branches of sturdy oaks at an altitude of 7500 feet in latitude 30° North. _Calypso_ also seeks the colder lands, of the _conifer_ forests of Alaska and Labrador, in latitude 54°-69° North; while in the Rocky Mountain region it is found at an elevation of 4000-5000 feet above sea level.

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

[Illustration: =Northern Calypso.= (_Calypso bulbosa._)

“_Calypso, goddess of an ancient time,_ _(I learn it not from any Grecian rhyme._ _And yet the story I can vouch is true.)_ _Beneath a pine tree lost her dainty shoe._ _The goddess surely must have been in haste,_ _Like Daphne fleeing when Apollo chased,_ _And leaving here her slipper by the way,_ _Intends to find it on another day._”

W. W. BAILEY.

From lithograph in Meehan’s _Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States_, 1: 1878. By permission.]

XII

Corallorhiza

R. Brown, 1813

CORAL-ROOT

The generic name, _Corallorhiza_, refers to the coral-like masses of the roots of this genus.

Scapose orchids, saprophytes or root-parasites, with large masses of coralloid branching roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= 1-3 ridged. =Sepals= and =petals= equal; 1-3 nerved, lateral sepals united at the base with the foot of the column, forming a short spur. =Flowers= several in a terminal raceme, purplish, yellowish and white. =Anther= terminal, operculate. =Pollinia= 4, in 2-pairs, free, soft and waxy. =Stem= or =scape= 4-20 inches high. =Leaves= all reduced to scales. =Seed-capsule= oblong, drooping when ripe.

_Continental Range_—In rich woodlands. From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific region. There are about 15 species of this strange genus in the north temperate zone of the world. These species are destitute of green or any distinct form of foliage; their roots are without form, assuming coral-like masses, which draw nourishment for the plants from humus—the rich decay of dead roots and trees in the soil. These plants are known as saprophytes or root parasites.

North American species north of Mexico 9 New England species 4 Hoosac Valley species 3

New England species:

1. _C. Corallorhiza_ (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883. 2. _C. odontorhiza_ (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818. 3. _C. Wisteriana_ Conrad, 1829. 4. _C. multiflora_ Nuttall, 1823.

1.—CORALLORHIZA CORALLORHIZA (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883

EARLY CORAL-ROOT

The specific name, _Corallorhiza_, refers to the coral-like roots of the species and genus.

Scapose rich woodland orchid, with coral-like roots. May 11th-June 28th-July 12th-August 5th (North) September-October (South). A vernal orchid, North, and an autumnal species in Georgia. The dates of flowering for the _Corallorhizas_ are variable and not standard.

=Flowers=, 3-12 in a raceme 1-3 inches long, dull purple, about ½ inch long on short, minutely bracted pedicels. =Labellum= whitish, oblong, 2-toothed, shorter than petals, spur a small protuberance adnate to the summit of ovary. =Sepals= and =petals= narrow. =Stem= or =scape=, 4-12 inches high. =Leaves= reduced to 2-5 sheathing scales. =Seed-capsule= drooping.

_Continental Range_—from Greenland, and Kotzebue Sound, Unalaska, southward throughout Canada to Georgia; westward to Washington and Oregon. Ascends 7600 feet in Yellowstone Park, where it is rather common.

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

2.—CORALLORHIZA ODONTORHIZA (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818

SMALL-FLOWERED CORAL-ROOT—DRAGON-CLAW—LATE CORAL-ROOT—CRAWLEY-ROOT

The specific name, _odontorhiza_, comes from the Greek, _odons_, a tooth, and _rhiza_, a root, referring to the tooth-like shape of the coralloid roots.

Small slender woodland orchid, with coral-like masses of roots. February-March-May (South); July-August-September 6th-October 15th (North).

=Flowers=, 6-20, purplish, in raceme 2-4 inches long. =Labellum= oval, denticulate, narrowed at base; not notched, whitish; =spur= small, adnate to top of ovary. =Sepals= and =petals= lanceolate, marked with purple lines. =Stem= sheathed with 3-4 scales, 6-15 inches high. Confused with _C. Corallorhiza_ northward.

_Continental Range_—From Ontario, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, southward to Alabama, Florida, and Texas; westward to Illinois and Indiana. Ascends 3000 feet in North Carolina.

_New England Range_—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, Cole’s Grove, Williamstown (Cheney), rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.

3.—CORALLORHIZA WISTERIANA Conrad, 1829[88]

WISTER’S CORAL-ROOT

The specific name, _Wisteriana_, refers to the dedication of this species in honor of the botanist Wister.

Slender woodland orchid, with coral-branching roots. March 1st, Florida (Curtiss); Alabama, February-May.

=Flowers= whitish, 6-15, in spiked raceme 2-5 inches long; pedicels, erect and slender. =Labellum= broad and oval, white, clawed, with spots of crimson; notched at apex, differing in this from _C. odontorhiza_, which is not notched at the apex, but projects acutely; =spur= a conspicuous protuberance adnate to top of the ovary. =Stem= 8-16 inches high. =Leaves= reduced to several sheathing scales. =Seed-capsule= oblong drooping, when ripe.

_Continental Range_—From Massachusetts southward to Florida and Texas; westward to Ohio, taking much the same range, and flowering at the same time as _C. odontorhiza_.

_New England Range_—Massachusetts, rare.

4.—CORALLORHIZA MULTIFLORA Nuttall, 1823

SPOTTED LARGE CORAL-ROOT

The specific name, _multiflora_, refers to the multiplying of both flowers and plants in many stations.

Tall woodland orchid, with large masses of coralloid roots. May (Canada)-June 20th-July (Maine); August 14th (Massachusetts); September 15th (Connecticut).

=Flowers=, 10-30, brownish-purple, in spiked raceme 2-8 inches long; pedicels short; flowers ½-¾ inch long. =Labellum= white, spotted with purple, oval deeply 3-lobed, central lobe broad; side lobes narrow, apex curved. Spur manifest. =Sepals= and =petals= linear-lanceolate. =Stem= 2-20 inches high, purplish. =Leaves= reduced to several appressed scales. =Seed-capsule= oblong, drooping when ripe.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, southward to Florida; westward to California. Ascends 2500 feet altitude in Montana (Tweedy).

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

[Illustration: =The Coral-Root.= (_Corallorhiza._)]

XIII

Tipularia[89]

Nuttall, 1818

CRANE-FLY ORCHIS

The generic name, _Tipularia_, refers to the flowers resembling insects of genus _Tipula_.

Slender scapose orchids, with solid bulbous roots; several bulbs, or generations connected by offsets. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= 3-lobed produced into a long spur backwardly. =Sepals= and =petals= similar, spreading. =Flowers= in a long, loose terminal raceme. =Anther= terminal, operculate, 2-celled. =Pollinia=, 4, 2 in each anther-sac, ovoid, waxy, separate, affixed to short stipe, glandular at base. =Stem= 15-20 inches high. =Leaf= 1, basal, arising in autumn, about September 14th, hyemal after the flowering-scape has perished. =Seed-capsule= ½ inch long, 6-ribbed.

_Continental Range_—From Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, Vermont, to New Jersey, Alabama, and Florida; westward to Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Rare in sandy woods. There are but two known species reported for the world, the following, and another, native of Asia, in the Himalayan region. The American species is slightly distinguished from the Asiatic form by the blunt tip of its labellum.

North American species north of Mexico 1 New England species 1 Hoosac Valley species 0

New England species:

1. _T. unifolia_ (Muhlenberg) B. S. P., 1813-1888.

1.—TIPULARIA UNIFOLIA (Muhlenberg) B. S. P., 1813-1888[90]

(_Tipularia discolor_, Nuttall, 1818)

CRANE-FLY ORCHIS

The specific name, _unifolia_, refers to the 1 leaf produced by this orchid.

Alert, small moist sandy woodland or rocky hillside orchid, with solid irregular bulb or corm-like roots. Late July-August-October.

=Flowers= green, tinged with purple, ⅓-¼ inch long, in a loose raceme, 5-10 inches long; pedicels filiform, bractless. =Labellum= 3-lobed, central lobe narrow, prolonged, dilated at apex, side-lobes short and triangular. =Spur= straight, slender, twice as long as sepals and petals, giving an insectean poise to the dull flowers. =Sepals= and =petals= narrow. =Stem= 15-20 inches high. =Leaf= 1, basal, reddish-purple, strongly veined; arising from solid bulb, about September 14th, hyemal. =Seed-capsule= ½ inch long, 6-ribbed.

_Continental Range_—From southern Vermont, New Hampshire, southward to Florida and Alabama; westward to Michigan and Indiana. More abundant South. Nowhere common.

_New England Range_—Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, rare.

XIV

Limodorum

Linnæus, 1753

(_Calopogon_ R. Brown, 1813)

GRASS-PINK—MEADOW-GIFT

The generic name, _Limodorum_, comes from the Greek, signifying a meadow-gift.

Scapose orchids with solid bulbous roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum=, hinged, arching above, and spreading; raised on a narrow stalk, dilated at the apex, bearded on the upper side with long club-shaped hairs. =Sepals= and =petals= nearly alike, separate and spreading. =Flowers= fragrant, pink-purple, 3-15 in a loose terminal raceme, seed-capsule (ovary) straight. =Anther= terminal, operculate, and sessile. =Pollinia= 2, 1 in each anther-sac, loosely granular. =Stem= or =scape= straight, not twisting as usual in other orchids, 1-1½ foot high. =Leaf= 1, grass-like blade, appearing first season, and followed next year by scape of flowers. =Seed-capsule= erect, oblong, and straight.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, Canada, southward to Florida; westward to Minnesota and Arkansas. There are 4 species of this beautiful genus endemic only to the Atlantic region.

A peculiar character of this genus lies in the ovary and stem being straight, causing thereby the labellum to arch above instead of drooping below the organs of fertilization, as instanced in _Orchis_ and _Cypripedium_. Seedlings appear numerous in many swamps.

North American species north of Mexico 4 New England species 1 Hoosac Valley species 1

New England species:

1. _L. tuberosum_ Linnæus, 1753. (_Calopogon pulchellus_ R. Brown, 1813)

1.—LIMODORUM TUBEROSUM Linnæus, 1753

(_Calopogon pulchellus_ R. Brown, 1813)

GRASS-PINK—MEADOW-GIFT

The specific name, _tuberosum_, refers to the tuberous or bulbous roots of this orchid.

Beautiful grassy sphagnous meadow orchid, with bulbous roots. May 15th-June 1st-July 20th-August 1st.

=Flowers=, 3-15 pink-purple, 1 inch long, subtended by acute bracts in spiked raceme 4-15 inches long. =Labellum= hinged, arching above, owing to ovary and stem being straight; broad, triangular at apex; bearded on the upper side with yellow, orange, and rose-colored club-shaped hairs. =Sepals= and =petals= acute, ovate-lanceolate, similar in texture and color. =Stem= or =scape= 1-1½ feet high. =Leaf= 1, linear-lanceolate, 8-12 inches long, grass-like with several scales below. =Seed-capsule= straight, erect, oblong.

_Continental Range_—From Newfoundland, Nova Scotia to the shores of Lake Huron, southward throughout New England to Florida; westward to western Texas and Minnesota.

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

[Illustration: =The Grass-Pink.= (_Limodorum tuberosum._)

A beautiful grassy-leaved orchid found in company with the dainty Rose Pogonia, and frequently with the rarer Arethusa in wild cranberry marshes.]

XV

Aplectrum

Nuttall, 1818[91]

PUTTY-ROOT—ADAM-AND-EVE

The generic name, _Aplectrum_, comes from the Greek meaning without a spur.