Part 18
_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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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