文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月06日
Description: This perennial orchid is 1-3' tall and unbranched. The central stem is light green and glabrous. Along this stem, there are 2-5 alternate leaves up to 8" long and 2" across; these leaves become smaller in size as they ascend the stem and they are held more or less upright. The leaf blades are light to medium green, lanceolate-oblong to narrowly ovate, and smooth along their margins; their veins are parallel. The central stem terminates in an elongated raceme of flowers about 3-8" long and 2½" across.
Racemes of Flowers
The flowers are arranged somewhat densely all around the central stalk of the raceme, blooming from the bottom to the top. The flowers are usually bright rose-purple and less often pale rose-purple. Each flower is about 1" long and ¾" across, consisting of 3 petal-like sepals, 3 petals, the reproductive organs, and a nectar spur in the back (about 1" long) that nods downward. The upper sepal and two upper petals (about ¼" long) form a small hood (upper lip) above the reproductive organs. The lowest petal forms the lower lip of the flower (about ¾" long); it is deeply divided into 3 fan-shaped lobes that are barely fringed along their lower margins. The central lobe of the lower lip is larger than the lateral lobes; it usually has a small narrow notch in the middle of its lower margin. The lower sepals are about 1/3" long and form the sides of the flower; they extend further back than either the hood or the lower lip. Each flower has a stout ascending pedicel about 1" long. At the base of each pedicel, there is an ascending small bract (about ¾" long) that resembles a narrow leaf. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Fertile flowers are replaced by erect seed capsules about ½–¾" long that are ellipsoid in shape. The capsules split open to release numerous tiny seeds that are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of fleshy fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a slightly acidic soil that contains loam, silt, or gravel. Because the root system forms a symbiotic relationship with underground fungi, individual plants are difficult to transplant. During some years, this orchid may fail to flower.
Range & Habitat: Purple Fringeless Orchid is uncommon in southern and SE Illinois, while in other areas of the state it is absent. This is a native wildflower of Illinois. Habitats include moist meadows and prairies, prairie swales, openings in floodplain woodlands, swamps, moist thickets, gravelly seeps, streambanks, poorly drained fallow fields, and ditches. This orchid benefits from disturbance that reduces overhead trees and other kinds of competing vegetation. It is often found in seasonal wetlands that are flooded during the spring, but dry out during the summer.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts primarily large butterflies and Sphinx moths. The following floral visitors of Purple Fringeless Orchid have been observed: Danaus plexippus (Monarch), Papilio glaucus (Tiger Swallowtail), Papilio troilus (Spicebush Swallowtail), Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary), Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper), Amphion floridensis (Nessus Sphinx), Hemaris diffinis (Snowberry Clearwing), Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing), and Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx). Various mammalian herbivores (deer, rabbits, cattle, etc.) sometimes browse on the foliage and flowers of this and other orchids. It may be necessary to place wire cages around individual plants or erect fences to prevent the destruction of local orchid populations by these animals.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photograph of the flowering plant was taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: When this orchid is in full bloom, it is very eye-catching and beautiful. The only other species in Illinois that are even remotely similar, viz. Platanthera psycodes (Purple-Fringed Orchid) and Platanthera grandiflora (Large Purple-Fringed Orchid), have rose-purple flowers with strongly fringed lower lips. Because these latter orchids are found only in the northern section of the state, their ranges do not overlap with the more southern range of the Purple Fringeless Orchid.
Racemes of Flowers
The flowers are arranged somewhat densely all around the central stalk of the raceme, blooming from the bottom to the top. The flowers are usually bright rose-purple and less often pale rose-purple. Each flower is about 1" long and ¾" across, consisting of 3 petal-like sepals, 3 petals, the reproductive organs, and a nectar spur in the back (about 1" long) that nods downward. The upper sepal and two upper petals (about ¼" long) form a small hood (upper lip) above the reproductive organs. The lowest petal forms the lower lip of the flower (about ¾" long); it is deeply divided into 3 fan-shaped lobes that are barely fringed along their lower margins. The central lobe of the lower lip is larger than the lateral lobes; it usually has a small narrow notch in the middle of its lower margin. The lower sepals are about 1/3" long and form the sides of the flower; they extend further back than either the hood or the lower lip. Each flower has a stout ascending pedicel about 1" long. At the base of each pedicel, there is an ascending small bract (about ¾" long) that resembles a narrow leaf. The blooming period occurs during mid- to late summer and lasts about 3 weeks. Fertile flowers are replaced by erect seed capsules about ½–¾" long that are ellipsoid in shape. The capsules split open to release numerous tiny seeds that are dispersed by the wind. The root system consists of fleshy fibrous roots.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun to light shade, moist conditions, and a slightly acidic soil that contains loam, silt, or gravel. Because the root system forms a symbiotic relationship with underground fungi, individual plants are difficult to transplant. During some years, this orchid may fail to flower.
Range & Habitat: Purple Fringeless Orchid is uncommon in southern and SE Illinois, while in other areas of the state it is absent. This is a native wildflower of Illinois. Habitats include moist meadows and prairies, prairie swales, openings in floodplain woodlands, swamps, moist thickets, gravelly seeps, streambanks, poorly drained fallow fields, and ditches. This orchid benefits from disturbance that reduces overhead trees and other kinds of competing vegetation. It is often found in seasonal wetlands that are flooded during the spring, but dry out during the summer.
Faunal Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts primarily large butterflies and Sphinx moths. The following floral visitors of Purple Fringeless Orchid have been observed: Danaus plexippus (Monarch), Papilio glaucus (Tiger Swallowtail), Papilio troilus (Spicebush Swallowtail), Speyeria cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary), Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper), Amphion floridensis (Nessus Sphinx), Hemaris diffinis (Snowberry Clearwing), Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing), and Hyles lineata (White-Lined Sphinx). Various mammalian herbivores (deer, rabbits, cattle, etc.) sometimes browse on the foliage and flowers of this and other orchids. It may be necessary to place wire cages around individual plants or erect fences to prevent the destruction of local orchid populations by these animals.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photograph of the flowering plant was taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: When this orchid is in full bloom, it is very eye-catching and beautiful. The only other species in Illinois that are even remotely similar, viz. Platanthera psycodes (Purple-Fringed Orchid) and Platanthera grandiflora (Large Purple-Fringed Orchid), have rose-purple flowers with strongly fringed lower lips. Because these latter orchids are found only in the northern section of the state, their ranges do not overlap with the more southern range of the Purple Fringeless Orchid.
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文章
Miss Chen
2018年02月06日
Description: This perennial orchid is 1-2½' tall and unbranched. The central stem is light green, terete, glabrous, and somewhat stout. There are 2-5 alternate leaves along each stem, developing from sheaths. They are 2-8" long and ½–2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the central stem. The light to medium green leaf blades are elliptic, elliptic-oblong, or lanceolate-oblong in shape and smooth along their margins; their veins are parallel. In relation to the stem, the leaf blades are nearly erect and slightly spreading. The central stem terminates in a narrow raceme flowers about 3-8" long. The whitish or yellowish green flowers are arranged all around the central stalk of the raceme on ascending stout pedicels about 1" long. At the base of each pedicel, there is a linear-lanceolate bract about ¾" long.
Raceme of Flowers
Each flower is about ¾" long and across, consisting of 3 petals, 3 sepals, a nectar spur, and reproductive organs. The upper sepal and upper 2 petals (about ¼" long) form a small hood (upper lip) over the reproductive organs and nectary opening. The upper sepal is broadly oblong in shape, while the upper 2 petals are linear to linear-oblong. The 2 lateral sepals (about ¼" long) are broadly oblong and usually curve backward from the front of the flower. The lower petal forms a lower lip that is deeply divided into 3 fan-shaped lobes. The lateral lobes and usually the central lobe are deeply fringed; less often, the central lobe is shallowly divided into 2-3 smaller lobes. The fringed lower lip may be more white than other parts of the flower. At the back of the flower, there is a narrowly cylindrical nectar spur about ¾" long that nods downward. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are often fragrant, especially at night. Fertile flowers are replaced by narrowly ellipsoid seed capsules about ¾" long. The seed capsules split open to release numerous tiny seeds, which are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of fleshy fibrous roots. Sometimes, vegetative offsets develop a short distance from the mother plant.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand, silt-loam, peaty material, or some gravel. Like other orchids, this species requires the appropriate endomycorrhizal fungus in the soil for proper growth and development. It can be difficult to transplant successfully.
Range & Habitat: The native Green-Fringed Orchid has been found in most areas of Illinois, particularly the NE section of the state; it is relatively uncommon. Habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, sandy swamps, moist open woodlands, shrubby bogs, acidic gravelly seeps, low areas along streams, sandy fields, powerline clearances, and ditches. Green-Fringed Orchid is more likely to appear in degraded areas than many other orchids, although it also occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by moths, including Noctuid moths and Sphinx moths. Such species as Anagrapha falcifera (Celery Looper Moth), Allagrapha aerea (Unspotted Looper Moth), and Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing) have been observed sucking nectar from the flowers. Mammalian herbivores (deer, rabbits, cattle, etc.) sometimes enjoy a gourmet meal by browsing on the foliage and flowers of this and other terrestrial orchids.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photograph of the flowering plant was taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Because of its greenish flowers, this orchid doesn't stand out from the background to the same extent as more colorful orchids in its genus. However, it has a delicate beauty that is peculiarly its own. While there are many orchids in the Midwest that have greenish flowers, this orchid is the only one with a deeply fringed lower lip. Compared to the similar Platanthera leucophaea (Prairie White-Fringed Orchid), the Green-Fringed Orchid has a lower lip with more narrow and insubstantial lobes (this applies particularly to the central lobe). Other species in this genus, e.g. Platanthera blephariglottis (White-Fringed Orchid) and Platanthera ciliaris (Orange-Fringed Orchid), have fringed lower lips that are not divided into major lobes. Thus, not only color, but also subtle differences in floral structure, are important in the identification of an orchid species in this interesting genus.
Raceme of Flowers
Each flower is about ¾" long and across, consisting of 3 petals, 3 sepals, a nectar spur, and reproductive organs. The upper sepal and upper 2 petals (about ¼" long) form a small hood (upper lip) over the reproductive organs and nectary opening. The upper sepal is broadly oblong in shape, while the upper 2 petals are linear to linear-oblong. The 2 lateral sepals (about ¼" long) are broadly oblong and usually curve backward from the front of the flower. The lower petal forms a lower lip that is deeply divided into 3 fan-shaped lobes. The lateral lobes and usually the central lobe are deeply fringed; less often, the central lobe is shallowly divided into 2-3 smaller lobes. The fringed lower lip may be more white than other parts of the flower. At the back of the flower, there is a narrowly cylindrical nectar spur about ¾" long that nods downward. The blooming period occurs during mid-summer and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers are often fragrant, especially at night. Fertile flowers are replaced by narrowly ellipsoid seed capsules about ¾" long. The seed capsules split open to release numerous tiny seeds, which are distributed by the wind. The root system consists of fleshy fibrous roots. Sometimes, vegetative offsets develop a short distance from the mother plant.
Cultivation: The preference is full or partial sun, moist conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand, silt-loam, peaty material, or some gravel. Like other orchids, this species requires the appropriate endomycorrhizal fungus in the soil for proper growth and development. It can be difficult to transplant successfully.
Range & Habitat: The native Green-Fringed Orchid has been found in most areas of Illinois, particularly the NE section of the state; it is relatively uncommon. Habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, sandy swamps, moist open woodlands, shrubby bogs, acidic gravelly seeps, low areas along streams, sandy fields, powerline clearances, and ditches. Green-Fringed Orchid is more likely to appear in degraded areas than many other orchids, although it also occurs in higher quality habitats.
Faunal Associations: The flowers are pollinated primarily by moths, including Noctuid moths and Sphinx moths. Such species as Anagrapha falcifera (Celery Looper Moth), Allagrapha aerea (Unspotted Looper Moth), and Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing) have been observed sucking nectar from the flowers. Mammalian herbivores (deer, rabbits, cattle, etc.) sometimes enjoy a gourmet meal by browsing on the foliage and flowers of this and other terrestrial orchids.
Photographic Location: A prairie in Fayette County, Illinois. The photograph of the flowering plant was taken by Keith & Patty Horn (Copyright © 2009).
Comments: Because of its greenish flowers, this orchid doesn't stand out from the background to the same extent as more colorful orchids in its genus. However, it has a delicate beauty that is peculiarly its own. While there are many orchids in the Midwest that have greenish flowers, this orchid is the only one with a deeply fringed lower lip. Compared to the similar Platanthera leucophaea (Prairie White-Fringed Orchid), the Green-Fringed Orchid has a lower lip with more narrow and insubstantial lobes (this applies particularly to the central lobe). Other species in this genus, e.g. Platanthera blephariglottis (White-Fringed Orchid) and Platanthera ciliaris (Orange-Fringed Orchid), have fringed lower lips that are not divided into major lobes. Thus, not only color, but also subtle differences in floral structure, are important in the identification of an orchid species in this interesting genus.
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