Thanks to Lois, I knew when to go back to the place in the woods where the Rattlesnake Plantain grows to see it bloom.
Later in July or early August, Lois wrote. “It sends up a single spike of small white flowers. An unobtrusive native orchid easily overlooked.”
So I went to the woods to find the unobtrusive orchid. I know where the Rattlesnake Plantain grow now. Just off the path, before the swamp where the skunk cabbage grows. South of the tree with the thick black mushrooms low on its trunk. The tree that often has a dinner plate sized mushroom growing at its roots.
A fertile place.
The Rattlesnake Plantain leaves, though only an inch or so long, are easy to find in the brownish-gray leaf litter. They stand out with their rich green leaves veined in white.
One of the flowers had already bloomed, the long stem brown and shriveling. But another was in full bloom, flowers so tiny, I had a hard time taking their picture.
I was thrilled to see those little white orchids, the ones that Lois described so well.
I might never have seen them or been able to share them, if she didn’t let me know when the orchids bloom in a comment on my blog back in April when I posted a picture of the leaves.
Oh Maria, I’m delighted you were able to see these delicate little blooms. The leaves are so lovely and were often seen by my friend and I on our botany jaunts but we often missed the window of their blooming.
I thought of you and your friend when I saw these Lois, it was after you told me about her and your walking in the woods together. I never would have known to look for a flower this time of the year. I can remember it because it’s the same time of year the Naked Ladies bloom in the yard, around Jon’s birthday too. Good reminders.
I never knew this flower existed! Beautiful! Thank you, Maria!
It’s new to me too Fran. :)