Galearis spectabilis

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Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Galearis
Species:
G. spectabilis
Binomial name
Galearis spectabilis
Synonyms[1]
  • Orchis spectabilis L.
  • Habenaria spectabilis (L.) Spreng.
  • Galeorchis spectabilis (L.) Rydb. in N.L.Britton
  • Orchis humilis Michx.
  • Galearis biflora Raf.
  • Orchis spectabilis var. lilacina Ames
  • Galeorchis spectabilis f. gordinieri House
  • Orchis spectabilis f. gordinieri Weath.
  • Orchis spectabilis f. albiflora Ulke
  • Orchis spectabilis f. willeyi F.Seym.
  • Galearis spectabilis f. gordinieri (House) R.E.Whiting & Catling
  • Galearis spectabilis f. albiflora (Ulke) C.F.Reed
  • Galearis spectabilis f. willeyi (F.Seym.) P.M.Br.

Galearis spectabilis, commonly known as showy orchis[2][3] or showy orchid,[2] is an orchid species of the genus Galearis. It is native to eastern Canada (Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick) and much of the eastern half of the United States. In america they are found from eastern Oklahoma north to eastern South Dakota in the west and from Atlanta, Georgia and North Alabama north up into Maine to the east.[1][4][5]

Description

1913 folio from an illustrated Flora

Galearis spectabilis can be found in mesic deciduous woodlands in the eastern United States. G. spectabilis produces one or two oval, fleshy basal leaves from a rhizome, which persist throughout summer. Flower stalks arise on 10–15-centimeter (3.9–5.9 in) stems with three to twelve flowers blooming in April to May.[6] The flowers are hooded and the namesake of the plant due to the showy, typically bicolored lavender and white flowers. The lavender hood is formed from three fused sepals. Two petals are tucked inside the hood and the labellum (third petal) is longer and white.

There are two color variants: G. spectabilis f. gordinierii has an all-white flower, while G. spectabilis f. willeyi has an entirely pink flower.

Ecology

Galearis spectabilis can be found in mesic deciduous woodlands in the eastern United States, they begin growth in spring, producing one or two oval, fleshy basal leaves from a rhizome, which persist throughout summer. Pollination of the flower is conducted by long-tongued Bombus, as well as other bees, butterflies, and moths. Besides it alluring colors, G. spectabilis flowers also provide pollinators a nectar reward which collects at the base of the spur. G. spectabilis is typically found on hillsides which may be rocky, damp and near seeps growing under a canopy of deciduous trees in half to deep shade. Plants have also been reported to be found thriving living just about a floodplain, again under a deciduous canopy. Plants are rarely seen in full sun.[7] Plants are slow-growing and form clumps over time via crown offshoots from the rhizome.[8]

Flower Closeup
Closeup of flowers

References

  1. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. 1 2 USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Galearis spectabilis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Galearis spectabilis". Connecticut Botanical Society. March 1, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  4. ↑ Biota of North America Program
  5. ↑ Flora of North America v 26 p 550, Galearis spectabilis
  6. ↑ Galearis spectabilis MissouriBotanicalGarden.org Accessed 26 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Blanchan, Neltje (2002). Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
  8. ↑ Blanchan, Neltje (2005). Wild Flowers Worth Knowing. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
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