About a week ago while walking Maggie, we ran into our neighbor Fanny. Fanny asked us if we had seen the orchids growing along the road not far from where we were standing. We had not, but proceeded up the road looking for the landmark that Fanny had provided. Sure enough we found the small cluster of plants whose flowers were just beginning to open. This orchid’s common name is “showy”, but I must admit its small size makes it difficult to make out without being pointed out to us by Fanny’s directions.
This photo was taken yesterday with the blossoms a bit more open. Click to enlarge.
The following is taken from the University of Texas At Austin, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflowercenter website, http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GASP5
Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf.
Showy orchid, Purple-hooded orchid, Gay orchid
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Synonyms: Galeorchis spectabilis, Orchis spectabilis
USDA Symbol: GASP5
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A short stalk rising between 2 large, glossy, green leaves and topped by 2-15 white and pink to deep lavender flowers.
The genus name, Galearis, is derived from the Latin word, galea, which means helmet. It refers to the two pink to purple upper petals which form a hood over the flower. The specific epithet, spectabilis, is from the Latin for remarkable, admirable or showy.
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