2005 Compilation North American Native Orchid Journal

NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE ORCHID JOURNAL

Volume 11 2005 In this issue: AN ALBINO ADDER�S MOUTH FROM CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS TWO WEEKS AND 39 ORCHIDS IN WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND DID YOU KNOW??

Some North American Orchid Factoids JEWELS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES And from the past� SPIRANTHES PARKSII� NAVASOTA LADIES�-TRESSES

The North American Native Orchid Journal (ISSN 1084-7332) is an annual publication devoted to promoting interest and knowledge of the native orchids of North America. A limited number of the print version of each issue of the Journal are available upon request and electronic versions are available to all interested persons or institutions free of charge. The Journal welcomes article of any nature that deal with native or introduced orchids that are found growing wild in North America, primarily north of Mexico, although articles of general interest concerning Mexican species will welcome. Requests for either print or electronic copies should be sent to the editor: Paul Martin Brown, 10896 SW 90th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34481 or via email at [email protected].

NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE ORCHID JOURNAL

Volume 11 2005

CONTENTS NOTES FROM THE EDITOR

3 AN ALBINO ADDER�S MOUTH FROM

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS Paul Martin Brown

4 TWO WEEKS AND 39 ORCHIDS IN WESTERN

NEWFOUNDLAND 6

Paul Martin Brown From the Past�

requested reprints

SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL � NAVASOTA LADIES�-TRESSES

Cliff Pelchat 23

JEWELS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES The Slow Empiricist

34 DID YOU KNOW??

Some North American Orchid Factoids Paul Martin Brown

39 A CASE FOR EVOLUTION

Stan Folsom 44

Unless otherwise credited, all drawings in this issue are by Stan Folsom The opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the authors. Scientific

articles may be subject to peer review and popular articles will be examined for both accuracy and scientific content.

Volume 11 pages 1-49; issued October 30, 2005. Copyright 2005 by the North American Native Orchid Journal

Cover: Liparis loeselii by Stan Folsom

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR

Although a smaller issue than the previous ones the variety of articles will interest native orchid enthusiasts. The 2004 field season was a banner year for native orchids with the rediscovery of four long-lost species (see p. 43) and in 2005 the publication of Wild Orchids of South Carolina by Jim Fowler and the updated and expanded edition of Wild Orchids of Florida by Paul Martin Brown and Stan Folsom scheduled for release in late November. Note to the reprint and electronic edition. Did You Know?? on page 39 has been updated to August 2006 for these editions.

Paul Martin Brown, editor

Brown: AN ALBINO ADDER�S MOUTH FROM CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

4

AN ALBINO ADDER�S MOUTH FROM CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

Paul Martin Brown

Malaxis bayardii, Bayard�s adder�s-mouth, is one of the rarest orchids to

be found in the northeastern United States. Long suffering under confusion and synonymy, it was revalidated by Catling in 1991. In Barnstable County, Massachusetts, where there were several older records for Malaxis bayardii, there is a current colony of upwards to 500 plants. The number seen vary from year to year but the area is (somewhat) managed and the plants are very happy. In July of 2005 Emily Kellogg observed several plants that lacked all pigment � true albinos � not just white flowers. Malaxis bayardii forma kelloggiae P.M. Brown form. nov. Forma floribus et folia alba conspecibus diversa. Differing from the species in that the entire plant, leaves, stem, and flowers, are white TYPE: U.S.A.: Massachusetts, Barnstable County. Sandwich, growing along old woodroad near Peter�s Pond. 4 July 2005 (HOLOTYPE: photograph E. Kellogg, North American Native Orchid Journal 11: 5. 2005). ENTYMOLOGY: Named for Emily Kellogg, who first observed the form

Although very rare in North America this lack of pigmentation does occur in Epipactis helleborine (Brown, 2004), Platanthera aquilonis (Brown, 2000; Light, 1989) and P. brevifolia (Wm. Jennings, pers. comm.) and may very well randomly occur in other species. Such mycotrophic genera as Hexalectris and Corallorhiza also have white plants but often the flowers have pale yellow markings. Cypripedium acaule has been found with white leaves although the flowers were typical pink and this condition does not appear to persist annually.

Brown: AN ALBINO ADDER�S MOUTH FROM CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

5

The only genus and species in North America with normally white plants lacking in all obvious chlorophyll is Cephelanthera austiniae of the Pacific Northwest. After Kellogg�s initial observation additional plants were found by Brian Cassie and Brian Podlisny and brought to the author�s attention. Unlike some aberrant forms these white plants were pollinated and set seed. Plants of Malaxis bayardii flower from late June into August, and appear to be in flower much long as the floral parts do not with rapidly as do those on Malaxis unifolia. Literature Cited: Catling, P.M. 1991. Systematics of Malaxis bayardii and M. unifolia.. Lindleyana 6:3-23. Light, M.S.. and M. MacConnail. 1989. Albinism in Platanthera hyperborea. Lindleyana 4(3): 158-60. Acknowledgments: In addition to Emily Kellogg, Brian Cassie, and Brian Podlisny , Kent Perkins (FLAS) provide literature information.

Malaxis bayardii forma kelloggiae Barnstable County, MA

Photo by Brian Podlisny

Brown: TWO WEEKS AND 39 ORCHIDS IN WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND

6

Looking Ahead to Volume 12 2006

WILD ORCHIDS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: past, present, and future field guides and floras on

North American native orchids

A (NEW) NAME FOR AN (OLD) HYBRID

And a great deal more��


7

TWO WEEKS AND 39 ORCHIDS IN WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND

Paul Martin Brown

One of the truly rewarding trips to be taken in North America is that of two weeks along the western and northwestern coast of Newfoundland, the island portion of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, in eastern Canada. Newfoundland is a large island that is the easternmost outpost of Canada and is often known as "The Rock" because of the minimal soils over the bedrock that comprises the island. Coastal northwestern Newfoundland is essentially limestone and often has large exposed barrens whereas many of the southwestern areas are large open bogs and marshes. The Appalachian Mountains of North America have their northern terminus in Newfoundland and the spectacular Gros Morne National Park is one of the gems of the national park system.

Roads are few, but for the most part in excellent repair and practically all of the prime orchid sites are roadside areas or quite nearby. Getting there requires either flying into St. John's and renting a vehicle and then driving across the entire island, which can take more than a day, or starting at North Sydney, Nova Scotia and taking the ferry across to Channel-Port aux Basques on the southwestern tip of the island. I find this preferable, as it is the starting point for the trip and it takes less driving time than crossing back and forth to St. John's. Regularly scheduled air transportation is available to Sydney, as well as car rentals, and it is only a short drive to North Sydney to the ferry terminal.


8

Some Newfoundland Favorites!Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens �planipetalum� ecotype

Calypso bulbosa var. americana forma rosea Cypripedium reginae

Pseudorchis straminea Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. praetermissa

Platanthera hookeri forma abbreviata Platanthera grandiflora forma albiflora


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The ideal time to go is in early July when the northern spring is just finishing up in the southern areas and when you return two weeks later summer will be in full swing. Our trip starts in the port town of Channel-Port aux Basques. After leaving the village Route 1 is the only choice for a trip north. Shortly you will be within large open boggy areas, which abound with Arethusa bulbosa, the dragon's-mouth orchid. Large clumps of showy bright pink flowers on 6-8" stems are easy to find along the old railroad line that is now a hiking trail. Both the white-flowered forma albiflora and the very rare lilac blue flowered forma subcaerulea can be found here. This will not be the last of the Arethusa that you will see, but these are by far the easiest to get to. Only a few kilometers north is the entrance to J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park. Be sure to visit the park and walk the nature trail watching for Cypripedium acaule, the pink lady's-slipper, or moccasin flower still in bloom. This is the only area where you are sure to still find this spring beauty in flower at this time. Occasionally the white-flowered form, forma albiflorum may be seen. When you return two weeks later this trail will be your last stop and will have many orchids in flower including Goodyera repens, lesser rattlesnake orchis; Goodyera tesselata, checkered rattlesnake orchis; Liparis loeselii, Loesel's twayblade or fen orchis; Listera cordata, heart-leaved twayblade, Platanthera blephariglottis, northern white fringed orchis; Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. ophioglossoides, northern club-spur orchis; P. dilatata, tall white northern bog orchis; P. lacera, green fringed orchis or ragged orchis; P. orbiculata, pad-leaved orchis and its ecological dwarf forma lehorsii; P. psycodes, small purple fringed orchis. often with the frequent forma albiflora; P. xandrewsii, Andrews' hybrid fringed orchis; Pogonia ophioglossoides, rose pogonia; and Spiranthes romanzoffiana, hooded ladies'-tresses. If you have not had enough of the local bogs as you drive northward you will soon come to an enormous area on the right call Blow Me Down, near a marked area called The Tolt. It was here that the trains were blown of the track by the winter winds.


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Again, the dragon's mouth is scattered throughout the bog and this time accompanied by both Pogonia ophioglossoides, rose pogonia and Calopogon tuberosus, common grass-pink just starting to flower. If these two are not quite out yet do not despair as you will have thousands of them further north. A leisurely drive north will take you to Corner Brook, home of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and a bustling northern city. Many good accommodations and restaurants are to be found here. After a restful night, the mornings' journey will continue northward towards Rocky Harbour and Gros Morne National Park. In Deer Lake you will take Route 430 north. It is advisable to drive directly to Rocky Harbour, get settled, for you will want several days here, and then plan your trips in the area. Comfortable half and full day trips may be made to many of the nature trails within the National Park and good maps and directions can be found at the park headquarters. Orchids can be found on most all of the trails but the two major orchid-laden areas at the Lomond Trail off of Route 131 west of Wiltondale (you passed it on the way here) and the lower elevation section of the Gros Morne Trail. Accessed by an excellent boardwalk and trail The Lomond Trail has one of the largest populations of the utterly spectacular Cypripedium reginae, the showy lady's-slipper with it's often 2 and 3 flowered stems with large pink and white slippers growing 75 cm tall! It is estimated that there are over 25,000 plants in this swamp. Scattered along the trail and in the woodland beyond the swamp are excellent stands of Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata, spotted coralroot, with both the forma flavida and forma rubra; C. maculata var. occidentalis, western spotted coralroot; C. striata, striped coralroot (a recent find and so far only in the striking forma eburnea); C. trifida, early coralroot; Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens, large yellow lady's-slipper; Listera convallarioides, broad-lipped twayblade; L. cordata, heart-leaved twayblade; Platanthera huronensis, green bog orchis; P. aquilonis, northern green bog orchis; P. macrophylla, Goldie's pad-leaved orchis; P. orbiculata, pad-leaved orchis; P. psycodes, small purple fringed orchis; and Malaxis unifolia, green adder's-mouth.


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The main hiking trail to Gros Morne, just south of Rocky Harbour, offers many good orchids along the trailsides of the lower slope. If one is physically able, the entire hike to the top is spectacular, but long and very arduous towards the summit. The broad tablelands on top afford an unparallelled view of eastern Canada. Starting right in the parking lot watch the trailsides carefully for twayblades, both the broad-lipped and Listera auriculata, auricled twayblade, as well as the heart-leaved, rattlesnake orchids, pad leaved orchises and many coralroots. The trail is well maintained and is a series of open footpaths, boardwalks, and stairways. The real gem of this area is the Rocky Harbour Bog. It is a bit difficult to find and unmarked, but if you make inquiries at the National Park headquarters they may be able to point out the entry access along the highway. After you climb up (yes, the bog is above the road and is actually a raised heath) and into the bog you will find endless acres of orchids, carnivorous plants, and other spectacular wildflowers. All three of the bog orchids, Calopogon, Pogonia, and Arethusa can be found here and in all of their color forms. The white fringed orchis also occurs here a bit later in the summer. I expect there are in excess of 100,000 ochid plants growing within the Rocky Harbour bog! If time permits be sure to take a ride to the Tablelands near Trout River. Although not an orchid area, the expansive serpentine barrens offer an unusual collection of highly specialized plants and scenery. These first few days have been but an introduction to the orchid wonders of Newfoundland. Now for the serious orchid hunting! About an hour or so north of Rocky Harbour you will come to Bellburn flats area and the Table Point Reserve, near an old grass airstrip. This is one of the premier orchid sites on the island. You can easily pull off onto the access road and start to explore. The brilliant yellow patches you see scattered throughout the flats are those of the large yellow lady's-slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens. They occur here in the thousands. The plants appear to be only a few inches tall, but much of their stems


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are within the dense dwarf shrub layer. You will see great variation within these plants. The extreme variation was originally described var. planipetalum, having broad, flat petals rather than slender twisted petals. Recent work has demonstrated that this growth form is an extreme expression of habit and not consistent from year to year or even with a given clump. Nevertheless it is the most sought after form by most photographers. Nestled deep within the shrub layer will be a few scattered plants of Platanthera hookeri, Hooker's orchis, in its dwarf form, forma abbreviata. Several species of orchids had named variations described from Newfoundland, Some of these are extreme expressions as in the flat-petalled yellow lady's-slipper while other are ecological dwarves. This form of Hooker's orchid is one of the latter as is Platanthera orbiculata, pad-leaved orchis, forma lehorsii to be found primarily in the southwestern headlands.

Your next stop will be at Plum Point, Make reservations early at Plum Point Motel and Cabins, for it is just about the only place to stay in northwestern Newfoundland that is suitable for your exploring purposes. Plan several days here, as there are many full day trips to be made. After getting settled and consulting the maps these are the places you will want to visit.

1. Port au Choix National Park for the hundreds of yellow lady 'slippers and broad-lipped twayblades. It is here that you will start to see one of Newfoundland's orchid specialties, Pseudorchis straminea. One of the rarest orchids in North America, it is locally abundant from here north to Cape Norman. On The way back to Plum Point be sure to stop off at Reef's Harbour and search for the many Malaxis brachypoda, white adder's-mouth and the unusual forma bifolia that abound in the grassy slopes by the boat launching area.

• Cape Norman and Cook's Harbour on Route 435 is the site of the northernmost lighthouse on the island the broad open tundra-like flats often have a variety of orchids nestled within them. Watch for the many other spectacular wildflowers as well. Icebergs are regularly seen here.


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• Burnt Cape, across from Cape Norman, is one of the all-time favorite places to explore. From the tiny town of Raleigh on Route 437 cross the causeway on to Burnt Island and drive to your right out to the Cape. The large cigar-shaped island is nearly barren of tress and sliced with deep ravines that run the length. The gravel roads are good and travel is easy. Towards the end of the island, at a picnic area that is just opposite the town of Raleigh on the mainland, is the real attraction - Calypso bulbosa var. americana, eastern fairy-slipper, and the type locality for the forma rosea. You have to search carefully and watch your step in and around the ravines but within the sides of them, and occasionally on the top edges, are to be found the calypsos. Other species that are scattered on the cape include Coeloglossum viride var. viride, northern bracted green orchis; Corallorhiza trifida, early coralroot; Goodyera repens, lesser rattlesnake orchis; Listera borealis, northern twayblade; L. cordata, heart-leaved twayblade; Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. ophioglossoides, northern club-spur orchis; P. obtusata, blunt-leaved rein orchis forma collectanea; and Pseudorchis straminea, Newfoundland orchis. Several interesting and unusual ferns can also be found here and the whale watching is excellent!

• Watts Point Ecological Reserve - this is the only out of the way stop that is recommended. Driving north when route 430 turns east at Eddies Cove continue for 2-3 km to the wide-open barrens of the preserve. Exploring areas on both sides of the road, but particularly on the east, you will find tens of thousands of Amerorchis rotundifolia, small round-leaved orchis. These are some of the smallest plants I have ever seen of this species (some no more than 2 or 3 cm tall) and the alternative common name, flyspeck orchid, seems apt. Small roadside scrapes often yield large numbers of Malaxis brachypoda, white adder's-mouth. Numerous other wildflowers that are only found across the strait in Labrador are also found here. It needn't be a long


15

stop, but well worth it. • From an historical perspective you may want to also

visit L'Anse aux Meadows, site of the first Viking establishment in North America, at the terminus of Route 436.

The last area to be suggested is somewhat apart form all of these. It is Tilt Cove on the Baie Verte peninsula. As you begin your trek back to southwestern Newfoundland you may want to revisit the Lomond Trail for later flowering species and then take Route 1 east and eventually Route 410 north to Baie Verte. Not far from Baie Verte (which has a very nice hotel and an excellent small mineral museum) is the small community of Tilt Cove off Route 414. This area is most unusual as it lies in a serpentine area and where there was extensive copper mining. The town is at the bottom of a large basin that opens to the sea to the north. Most of the town is abandoned now after two major heydays in its history. A few of the homes are still occupied and a small museum is also open. But the real attraction her is the presence of Dactylorhiza praetermissa, southern marsh orchid, a species found throughout northern Europe. First though to be either an escape or adventive, the species presence has been traced back at least 100 years and may be truly native. It occurs in large, showy clumps on the seepage hillsides throughout the bowl of the town. Other orchids accompany the marsh orchid and include Platanthera dilatata, tall white northern bog orchis; P. aquilonis, northern green bog orchis; P. huronensis, green bog orchis; and Spiranthes romanzoffiana, hooded ladies'-tresses. By now your two weeks are coming to a close and you will be heading south to Corner Brook once more. On your last day afield driving south towards Port au Basque, watch in the vicinity of Doyles for roadside meads with hundreds of fringed orchises. Both purple fringed species, Platanthera grandiflora large purple fringed orchis and its various forms - forma albiflora, forma bicolor, forma carnea, forma mentotonsa; P. lacera,


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green fringed orchis or ragged orchis; P. psycodes, small purple fringed orchis and the forma albiflora, forma ecalcarata, forma rosea, forma varians and the hybrids P. xandrewsii, Andrews' hybrid fringed orchis and P. xkeenanii, Keenan's hybrid fringed orchis are to be found in many roadside areas. Do not forget to return to Cheeseman Park before you leave to check on the later flowering species.

Note; Three species are found in restricted areas and are not particularly easy to locate. Epipactis helleborine, broad-leaved helleborine, is starting to show up in some of the more urban areas, particularly around St. Johns in the east and Corner Brook in the west. Look around some of the local city parks for this recent visitor from Europe. Goodyera oblongifolia, giant rattlesnake orchis, is known from only one area near Serpentine Lake. It would flower in late July, but the road in is difficult and often gated. Perhaps you will be the one to find it elsewhere! Piperia unalascensis (Platanthera foetida), Alaskan Piperia, was recently discovered just north of Port aux Choix. This species is a common plant of western United States with a few disjunct localities in the upper Great Lakes and on Anticosti Island as well as the Gaspe region of Quebec. It was not a great surprise to find it in western Newfoundland. CHECKLIST OF THE ORCHIDS OF WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND 1. Amerorchis rotundifolia small round-leaved orchis 2. Arethusa bulbosa dragon's-mouth forma albiflora forma subcaerulea 3. Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus common grass-pink forma albiflorus 4. Calypso bulbosa var. americana


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eastern fairy-slipper forma albiflora forma rosea 5. Coeloglossum viride var. viride northern bracted green orchis 5a. Coeloglossum viride var. virescens long-bracted green orchis 6. Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata spotted coralroot forma flavida forma rubra 6a. Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis western spotted coralroot 7. Corallorhiza striata var. striata striped coralroot 8. Corallorhiza trifida early coralroot 9. Cypripedium acaule pink lady's-slipper, moccasin flower forma albiflorum forma biflorum 10. Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin northern small yellow lady's-slipper 10a. Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens large yellow lady's-slipper 12. Cypripedium reginae showy lady's-slipper forma albolabium 13. Dactylorhiza majalis subsp. praetermissa southern marsh orchid forma albiflora 14. Epipactis helleborine* broad-leaved helleborine 15. Goodyera oblongifolia giant rattlesnake orchis 16. Goodyera repens lesser rattlesnake orchis forma ophioides 17. Goodyera tesselata checkered rattlesnake orchis 18. Gymnadeniopsis clavellata var. ophioglossoides northern club-spur orchis


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19. Liparis loeselii Loesel's twayblade, fen orchis 20. Listera auriculata auricled twayblade forma trifolia 21. Listera borealis northern twayblade forma trifolia 22. Listera convallarioides broad-lipped twayblade forma trifolia 24. Listera cordata var. cordata heart-leaved twayblade forma disjuncta forma trifolia forma viridens 26. Listera xveltmanii Veltman's twayblade 27. Malaxis brachypoda white adder's-mouth forma bifolia 28. Malaxis unifolia green adder's-mouth forma bifolia 30. Piperia unalascensis Alaskan piperia 32. Platanthera aquilonis northern green bog orchis 34. Platanthera blephariglottis northern white fringed orchis forma holopetala 36. Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata tall white northern bog orchis 38. Platanthera grandiflora large purple fringed orchis forma albiflora forma bicolor forma carnea forma mentotonsa

39. Platanthera hookeri Hooker's orchis forma abbreviata


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40. Platanthera huronensis green bog orchis 41. Platanthera lacera green fringed orchis, ragged orchis 42. Platanthera macrophylla Goldie's pad-leaved orchis 43. Platanthera obtusata subsp. obtusata blunt-leaved rein orchis forma collectanea forma foliosa 44. Platanthera orbiculata pad-leaved orchis forma lehorsii forma trifolia 46. Platanthera psycodes small purple fringed orchis forma albiflora forma ecalcarata forma rosea forma varians 48. Platanthera xandrewsii Andrews' hybrid fringed orchis 49. Platanthera xkeenanii Keenan's hybrid fringed orchis

50. Pogonia ophioglossoides rose pogonia forma albiflora 51. Pseudorchis straminea Newfoundland orchis 52. Spiranthes romanzoffiana hooded ladies'-tresses


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1. Channel-Port aux Basques 2. Old railroad trail 3. Cheeseman Park 4. Corner Brook 5. Rocky Harbour/Gros Morne

National Park 6. Table Point Ecological Reserve

(Bellburns) 7. Plum Point 8. Burnt Cape (Raleigh) 9. Cape Norman 10. Watts Point Ecological Reserve 11. Tilt Cove

Western Newfoundland

5


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HOW TO GET THERE- Via air to Sydney, Nova Scotia: most flights connect there through Toronto, Ontario. Vehicle Rental: this is an excellent multi-vendor site for rentals. http://www.travelnow.com/cars/search.jsp?pageName=carSearch&cid=39241&pickUpCity=Sidney,NS,CA&validateCity=true&submitted=true Via Marine Atlantic Ferry Service from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland full information may be found at their website: http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/marinee/wheel/index_nav.htm Where to Stay Channel-Port aux Basques http://www.gatewaytonewfoundland.com/accomodations.html# a variety of accommodations Corner Brook http://www.accomodationsweb.com/canada/newfoundland/cornerbrook/ many excellent accommodations Rocky Harbour Ocean View Hotel Route 430 North/Deer Lake Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland Canada http://www.travelhero.com/prophome.cfm/id/79704/hotels/reservations/index.html Plum Point http://www.nfcap.nf.ca/west/PlumPoint/ Plum Point Motel & Cabins (try to get a cabin if you can as they are excellent and offer two or three rooms and good kitchen facilities) Phone: 709-247-2355 Fax: 709-247-2327 Plum Point, NF. A0K 4A0


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http://www.nfcap.nf.ca/west/PlumPoint/Motel.htm Baie Verte/Tilt Cove http://www.centralnewfoundland.com/bview17.php3 Baie Vista Inn P.O. Box 84 Baie Verte Newfoundland, Canada A0K 1B0 Phone: 709-532-8250 Toll Free: 1-877-532-8250 Fax: 709-532-8033 Email: [email protected] IF YOU GO: Although it is summer the weather in July is highly variable from very warm along the southwest coast to cold and possibly sleet/light snow showers at Cape Norman and it is often very windy. You need to bring layered clothing and a waterproof jacket or poncho. At Plum Point Motel there are laundry facilities as well as a general store nearby. Be sure to fuel up your vehicle each evening as the gas stations tend not to open early in the mornings (we have had to wait as late at 10AM to get gas some mornings!). It is best to pack a lunch, or have the restaurant do it, as local restaurants are not easy to find and never seem to be where you are. The Ocean View Motel in Rocky Harbour and Plum Point Motel both have superior dining facilities. The little store in Raleigh (Burnt Cape) has wonderful home made-pies for take out. Don't miss them. Two very good eating places along the road are the Pasadena Family Restaurant in Pasadena just north of Corner Brook (Pasadena is also an alternative to Corner Brook for accommodations) and Maynard Motor Inn, PO Box 59, Hawkes Bay, Newfoundland (709) 248-5225. They also have excellent accommodations and are about 1 hour south of Plum Point.

Pelchat: SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL � NAVASOTA LADIES�-TRESSES

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SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL � NAVASOTA LADIES�-TRESSES

Reprinted in a slightly different format from North American Native Orchid Journal 6(4): 268-279. 2000

Cliff Pelchat

Spiranthes parksii, the Navasota ladies�-tresses, is the only endemic orchid that Texas can claim and it has had an elusive history since its discovery in 1945, and was first described by Donovan Stewart Correll, (Correll 1947). In his 1950 book, Native Orchids of North America North of Mexico, Correll states that it was discovered in Texas in 1945 and that it had no close allies in North American orchid flora; "This species has no close allies in our flora. Its affinity seems to be with several Mexican and Central American species. It apparently occurs in moist habitat, and blooms in October." (Correll 1950) The specimens Correll used to describe the Navasota ladies�-tresses were collected by Haliburton Braley Parks along the Navasota River (Democratic Bridge) in Brazos County, (Correll 1947). For the next 30 years H. B. Parks was the only person to have seen a live specimen of this plant. Many of the herbarium specimens deposited by H. B. Parks contain short non-specific descriptions for location (such as �Democratic Bridge�), which certainly contributed to the difficulty of locating existing populations of S. parksii. Carlyle Luer along with Correll searched for the plants on 2 different occasions without finding them leading him to speculate on their origin; "The writer has thoroughly searched the type locality, along the Navasota River in eastern Texas, in two different years, once with Dr. Correll, but without success. Within a radius of a few miles, three familiar species of Spiranthes were discovered in flower: S. cernua, S. ovalis, and the robust Texan S. lacera var. gracilis . . .It is considered unlikely that a southern relict might survive in the western part of the Coastal Plain and the Eastern Woodland where no other localized endemic species of orchid is


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Fig. 1. Blackland Prairies to the west and the Pineywoods to the east Fig. 2-3 S. parksii Fig. 4 S. cernua typical Fig. 5 S. cernua �cleistapogamic� race Fig. 6 S. parksii exhibiting peloria Fig. 7: S. parksii; spike basal rosettes Photographs by Cliff Pelchat


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known to occur. However, endemic species of other plants are not infrequent. Very possibly Spiranthes parksii represents an aberrant or polyploid form of var. gracilis, or a non-persisting hybrid of var. gracilis and S. cernua." (Luer 1975) Nevertheless, S. parksii Correll was listed as endemic to Brazos County, Texas, (Correll 1950) and (Correll & Johnston 1970). In 1975 it was listed as an Endangered and Threatened Orchid of the United States, (Ayensu 1975). And, in 1982, it was listed as federally endangered (MacRoberts & MacRoberts 1997). Throughout the 1980�s and 1990�s it has had a tendency to become newsworthy such as when it stopped the expansionof Texas highway 6 in 1983, (Liggio 1999), or when it became the focus of a conservation effort in 1990 that involved the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, when 500 plants were reproduced for planting back into the wild, (Houston Chronicle 1990). Rediscovery

On October 25th, 1978 the Navasota ladies'-tresses was rediscovered in Brazos county by Paul Catling and K. L. McIntosh in a Post Oak woodland northwest of the town of Navasota (Catling and McIntosh 1979). They located 7 plants along the banks of a temporary stream surrounded by scattered oaks (post oak, Quercas stellata and blackjack oak, Quercas marilandica) along with American beauty berry, Callicarpa americana. Another site with 13 plants was also discovered close by in an open oak woodland on the banks of another temporary stream. They reported that Spiranthes parksii occurred both on the tops of banks in open sand with a sparse cover of grass and on the sides of banks in the shade of tress and thickets. Since that time it has been documented in Lee, Leon, Freestone, Grimes, Burleson, Madison, Robertson, Fayette, Washington and Jasper counties, (Liggio 1999) and (Bridges and Orzell 1989). The Jasper county site represents a small disjunct population within the Piney Woods of Angelina County National Forest in East Texas 170 kilometers


27

east of all other known populations. Recent surveys of the Jasper County Black Branch Barrens area of the Angelina National Forest have resulted in finding a few other plants (MacRoberts & MacRoberts 1997).

Range/Habitat

Spiranthes parksii, with the exception noted above for Jasper County, inhabits the Post Oak Savannah region of East Texas. The Post Oak Savannah is a region located northwest and west of Houston and occupies a space between the Blackland Prairies to the west and the Piney Woods to the east. To the south the Post Oak Savannah tapers out and mixes with the Blackland Prairies habitat, (Figure 1). This unique habitat is made up of an area of about 8,500,000 acres of gently rolling hills with elevations from 65 to 300 meters above sea level. It receives about 75 to 115 cm of rainfall annually with the peak rainfall occurring during the months of May or June. Vegetatively it consists of open fields dominated by tall grasses and spots of woodlands that are comprised mostly of post oak, Quercus stellata and blackjack oak. Quercus marilandica. Soils consist of acid loamy sands in the upland areas to acid loamy sands and clays in the bottomland areas. (Correll & Johnston, 1970) The area was extensively cultivated for grains, vegetables and fruit trees up through the 1940�s. (Wilson, unpublished) This cultivation may explain the rarity of S. parksii and the disjunctive nature of some of the populations.

Within this range Spiranthes parksii is found mostly along drainage areas that represent naturally disturbed areas through the post oak woodlands leading to the Navasota River and is rarely if ever found in unnaturally disturbed areas such as roadsides, power-line right of ways or open fields (Wilson, unpublished). When I first began searching for this plant I looked in the open grassy areas near woods and along drainages areas [outside of woods] as described by others and as noted on herbarium sheets, e.g. Texas International Speedway. Though I found some plants, mostly at the beginning of drainage areas from the grassy fields


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leading into woodlands and adjacent to the edge of woods along hiking trails the most plants were found within the woods on the banks of the natural drainage ditches. This observation confirms that Spiranthes parksii does not typically inhabit open areas or areas disturbed by man. Today S. parksii is well documented growing in the Navasota region and one especially good and accessible (because it is not private property) location is Lick Creek Park located in College Station. I have observed it growing in this park along the banks of drainage streams and at the mouth of these drainage areas leading from the open grassy areas of the Post Oak Savannah. I have also observed it growing on the margins of the wooded forest near drainage ditches where hiking trails have been formed. This habitat lies in close proximity to Texas A & M University and Dr. Hugh Wilson, from the University, undertook a detailed study of S. parksii. Unfortunately this study was brought to an abrupt halt by the expansion of a recreational bike path. Morphology

The genus Spiranthes is highly variable from the morphological point of view and, at times, it is difficult to differentiate between species in the field. The problem of field identification is compounded for the species S. parksii because it blooms at the same time and in the same range as two other species, S. cernua (L.) L.C. Richard and S. lacera Raf. var. gracilis (Bigel.) Luer, and is found in similar habitat as S. cernua mixed in with blooming populations. However, once one establishes a pattern of identification there is no mistaking S. parksii for either S. cernua or S. lacera var. gracilis, though there are some plants that seem to be intermediate between S. parksii and S. cernua and these are not easily resolved in the field. While photographing these plants with a 105mm macro lens many of the characters described by Correll (Correll 1947 and 1950) are apparent. The line drawing by G. Dillon that accompanies Correll�s description is extremely accurate, and looks as if it was drawn form a live specimen rather then an herbarium sheet.


29

The plants I have observed are from 21 cm to 25 cm tall

with the flowers taking up the top 7 cm - 8 cm of the spike (Fig. 2). They are in 4 ranked coils of 14 to 30 flowers that spiral counterclockwise looking down on the top of the plant. The plants tend to have the flowers concentrated more at the top of the rachis twisting, generally, in a CCW direction forming 4 ranks giving the rachis a symmetrical appearance. In contrast S. lacera var. gracilis tends to have a single rank forming a long spiral to the top for most of the length of the rachis. There are no leaves present at anthesis, but I have observed the leaves of plants in the springtime and they form basal rosettes of 2 to 3 lance like elliptic shaped leaves (Fig. 7). It should be noted that I find the number, size and dimensions of leaves for Spiranthes spp. to be quite variable depending on the time of year observed, the amount of moisture present and apparently the amount of nutrients in the soil. Plants of S. vernalis grown in pots and fed high nitrogen fertilizer have produced over 8 large grass like leaves along with one large bract like leaf on the spike that have sustained through anthesis compared to the 4 to 5 often observed in the field. These observations suggest that identification of S. parksii based on vegetative characteristics of the rosettes is highly unlikely unless the plants were specifically marked while in bloom.

The flowers and most of the rachis are covered in a fine pubescence, the apex of which is tipped with a ball or club. The same pubescence is found on S. cernua but S. lacera var. gracilis is essentially glabrous. The characteristically obovate petals, (Correll 1947), are also easily seen in the field through the lens of the camera or with a 10x loupe. The lip is presented in such away that the apex has a cleft and the center leading inward to the column is padded on each side and creamy yellow in color, (this coloring is also described by Catling & McIntosh 1979). The margins of the lip are ragged and tooth like or in botanical terms dentate compared to the crenulate (scalloped or round toothed) and undulate (wavy) appearance of S. cernua. Small pubescent


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hairs can be observed in the throat of the corolla formed by the lip, dorsal sepal and petals, (Figure 3). The distinctive oval shape of the petals (Correll 1947) can be seen, in the field, under close observation with a loupe or through the lens of a camera. The floral bract is white tipped which is often referred to as a single identifying characteristic of this orchid, but (in this authors experience) cannot in itself be used as a single characteristic for identification because S. cernua can also show a tendency for whitening of the floral bracts. Overall the flower shape is quite distinctive in that it appears to be short and fat. When viewed from the side, the flower from the ovary to the tip of the dorsal sepal forms an arch giving the flower a humped shape in relation to its length and width and extends horizontally from the rachis instead of drooping or nodding as in the case of S. cernua. The dorsal sepal extends just beyond the petals, curls upward at the apex, and has a cleft at the apex. The lateral sepals hug the corolla tightly and look like 2 upturned horns following the lines of the upturned apex of the dorsal sepal and extending a little beyond it. The flower coloring is white with variations from creamy yellow to white in the center of the lip and yellow to light green coloring running through the petals from the base to the midpoint.

In the same location and blooming simultaneously, as mentioned above, with Spiranthes parksii is S. cernua, (Fig. 4). These plants include examples of the sexual and asexual apomictic types, along with peloric forms as well as the �cleistapogamic� characteristic referred to by C. Sheviak, (Sheviak, 1982) (Fig. 5). I have also observed examples of S. parksii that appear to be apomictic, and exhibit some peloria, (Fig. 6). These plants have monstrous looking flowers that are tightly closed with the lip barely protruding pointing straight up parallel with the axis of the stem. On some of the flowers the lateral sepals are at an angle away from the corolla and many of the unopened flowers below at the bottom of the spike are already withering while the ovaries are swelling. Another most unusual characteristic was the almost completely white floral bracts. Close examination of these


31

revealed fine green striping running lengthwise to the apex, but they were mostly white. I have observed the same white coloring in the ovaries of peloric forms of S. cernua. I have also observed plants that seem to be intermediate between S. cernua and S. parksii in that they have the general appearance of S. parksii with regards to general flower shape, presentation of the lateral sepals and white tipped floral bracts, however the lip margin is much more undulate and the lateral sepals are not as closely pressed to the corolla. C. Sheviak noted that S. parksii is linked to the S. cernua complex �by its reproductive mode and some morphological characteristics and indeed is likely related� (Sheviak 1982). I believe that further, more detailed, studies of S. parksii are required to understand its standing within the S. cernua complex and will lead to a clearer understanding of the origin of this plant. Conservation

Earlier in this article I made mention of Lick Creek Park and the bike trails that destroyed the on going study being conducted by Hugh Wilson from the Texas A & M University. In this case the community of College Station wanted recreational mountain bike trails and the best habitat for this type of recreation happens to be prime habitat for Spiranthes parksii � humans 1, orchids 0. Repeated attempts by Hugh Wilson to have the area set aside as a preservation area fell on deaf ears, both at the community level and the national level, e.g. the Federal Government and the Nature Conservancy. Even Texas Highway 6 was allowed to proceed through prime S. parksii habitat once a so called mitigation plan, involving a preservation area now referred to as a weed lot, (Wilson unpublished), was built � humans 2, orchids 0. The most disturbing example of habitat destruction for S. parksii, however, is the clear cutting of trees in documented S. parksii habitat (remember it is essentially a woodland orchid) for the purpose of building the giant Texas A&M bonfire in the name of tradition and school spirit � humans 3, orchids 0, they [the orchids] are out! In 1994 Hugh Wilson made repeated attempts to save this habitat from destruction, both to the Texas A&M University administration, and to the


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Director, Office of Endangered Species for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Of course all of the habitat destruction is well within the boundaries of the law and perfectly legal, but one has to question the ethical ramifications and hypocrisy of this situation. Ironically the only true protection of S. parksii is being afforded by the Texas Municipal Power Authority, (TMPA), as a result of strip-mining operations on leased land. This protection will also disappear as the mining operations wind down and the land leases expire removing them from the stewardship of the TMPA. Summary

Spiranthes parksii is an interesting and unusual orchid. It is interesting because it has a limited range and therefore can teach us much about the conservation of orchid species as we continue to study its habitats. The general observations of the Lick Creek Park populations show that there are similarities between S. parksii and S. cernua and indicate that further more detailed studies will result in a better understanding of this relationship. Finally, I hope that greater awareness of this orchid and others like it will lead to better conservation efforts on the part of individuals that will insure that all of the natural wonders around us are available to future generations. References: Ayenus, E.S. 1975. Endangered and Threatened Orchids of the United

States. Amer Orchid Society Bulletin 44(5): 384 � 394 Catling, P. M. and K. L. McIntosh. 1979. SIDA 8(2): 188-193 Correll, D. S. 1950. Native Orchids Of North America North Of Mexico.

Waltham, Ma. Chronica Botanica Correll, D. S. 1947. A new Spiranthes from Texas Amer. Orchid Society Bull.

16:400 Correll, D. S. and Johnston, M. C. 1970. Manual of The Vascular Plants of Texas.

Texas Research Foundation,1970. Bridges, E. L. & S. L. Orzell 1989. Additions and noteworthy Vascular Plant

collections from Texas and Louisiana, with historical, ecological and geographical notes. Phytologia 66: 12-69

Houston Chronicle 1990, Kathy Huber. Lab Gardeners Try To Thwart Orchid Pirates. Houston Chronicle, Saturday 2/10/1990, P.1, 2 Start edition.


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Liggio, J. and Liggio A.O. 1999. Wild Orchids of Texas. University of Texas Press, 1999.

Luer, C. A. 1975. The Native Orchids of The United States and Canada Excluding Florida. New York Botanical garden, New York.

Evans, Robert E. and MacRoberts, Michael H. and Barbara R. 1997. Notes On Spiranthes parksii Correll (Orchidaceae) Deep In East Texas. Phytologia, 83(3) September 1997: 133-137

Sheviak, C. J. 1982. Biosystematic Study of the Spiranthes cernua Complex. New York State Museum Bulletin No. 448 1982.

Wilson, H. D. unpublished. Spiranthes Parksii - Endangered Orchid of the Texas Post Oak Savannah, Texas A & M Website.

Cliff Pelchat, 2900 Farmington Circle, Edmond, OK 73003; [email protected] EDITOR’S UPDATE: Cliff also published two additional articles in the McAllen International Orchid Journal about Spiranthes parksii. Spiranthes parksii. McAllen International Orchid Society Journal 6(3): 9-15. 2005. Spiranthes parksii � additions to last issue�s article. McAllen International Orchid

Society Journal 6(4): 9. 2005.

Empiricist: JEWELS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES

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JEWELS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES

The Slow Empiricist

It is not true that orchids are fragile hothouse plants for they occur all over the world from beyond the Arctic Circle south to nearly Antarctica! And if the melting going on there continues they may eventually pop up there.

So, if they are so widespread and seemingly hardy why are they rare, threatened and endangered? There are lots of reasons from man�s constant expansion into orchid habitat to extremes in the particular orchids� natural range with southern species reaching the limit of their ability to survive further north of their range. Weather also plays its part with drought years cutting into survival and reproduction (although orchids often go dormant in dry years to bloom exuberantly in normal or wetter years). Some orchids are fire respondent and also bide their time until a wild fire or controlled burn eliminates the competing flora so they can bring forth a large blooming population. Back to the overarching question if orchids are so widespread and seemingly hardy where are they hiding? Where are these unlikely places where one can find an orchid? Having traveled extensively in the United States and Canada there is one enormous habitat that is sprinkled liberally with many species of orchids. Quite simply it is along the roadsides themselves that many orchids find a home. Spiranthes, ladies-tresses, are particularly happy in that kind of habitat. They like open sunny locations that are mowed to keep down


35

competition. Some like to nestle up nearer the hedgerow for some shade or shelter, others like to grow in the damper ditches.

Sacoila lanceolata, the leafless beaked orchid growing along a roadside in Levy County, Florida


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Not only Spiranthes, but Platanthera, the fringed and rein orchises, Calopogon, many of the grass pinks, Sacoila, the leafless beaked orchid, and even some species of Listera and Liparis, the twayblades, like the roadsides� expanses for a home.

I have seen the following growing along the highway, often in mixed colonies:

• Florida and the southeast: Sacoila (FL), Calopogon, Platanthera, Spiranthes, Gymnadeniopsis

• Northeast: Spiranthes, Pogonia. Gymnadeniopsis, Epipactis, Platanthera, and

even pink lady�s-slippers! • Northwest:

Spiranthes, Platanthera, Piperia, a stray Calypso and mountain lady�s-slippers

The prairies of southern Manitoba amazed us with plants of Platanthera praeclara, the western prairie fringed orchis, extending from the prairies into the roadside shoulders and ditches, often with the green rein orchises, Platanthera huronensis and P. aquilonis. So much of what you see in both Newfoundland and Alaska are roadside plants, in part because there are so few roads to the interior that the main roads are where you tend to be! Some even stranger places I�ve seen orchids growing along the highway were Spiranthes casei, Case�s ladies-tresses, growing in rip rap in Vermont, Listera borealis, northern twayblade, growing in the gravel parking lot in Alberta near Lake Louise and Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis, western calypso, in northern California growing under the redwoods right along and nearly within the road! Another unlikely habitat occurs at high elevations where the weather can be harsh and unforgiving but in the mountain meadows or tucked into small sheltered depressions on windswept heights orchids find a niche! I have seen the rattail adder�s-mouth orchids, Malaxis soulei, in August in the Huachuca Mountain heights in Arizona and Cypripedium montanum, mountain lady�s-slippers, gracing the roadsides in Radium Hot Springs,


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British Columbia. In the Olympics of western Washington the Alaskan orchid, Piperia unalascensis, grows in a dwarf form (forma olympica) and down in Port Angles roadsides abound with up to five species of Piperia!

Old cemeteries that don�t get mowed frequently have habitats that invite orchids to colonize them. New England is rich with small cemeteries that yield the ardent explorer with handsome rewards. One such cemetery in Connecticut has Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis, southern slender ladies�-tresses, and several hybrids as well as S. vernalis, grass-leaved ladies�-tresses, flowering in mid-August. You don�t always need a neglected old cemetery to find an orchid jewel. Florida has a cemetery where dancing lady orchids. Tolumnia bahamense, grows in the undeveloped areas. It is here the Florida rosemary bushes afford the orchid an opportunity to climb and flower with charming cascades of butterfly-like blossoms. They appear to be doing a stately gavotte in the gentle breeze. Sometimes vacant lots or abandoned housing developments offer orchids the right conditions to seed in although more often the orchids have been destroyed by the clearing and bulldozing. Those orchids that are successional may take up residences as nature reclaims the area. A borrow pit in southern New Hampshire that was cleared for a golf driving range that failed is filled with grass pinks, Calopogon tuberosus, and rose pogonia, Pogonia ophioglossoides, and a few northern tubercled orchids, Platanthera flava var. herbiola, are starting to show up. Of course, several species of Spiranthes are found throughout the pit habitat. Succession is claiming the area though and poplars, willows, and other trees have seeded in as nature reforests the clearing chasing out the orchids. In housing developments that never materialized in California and Washington, and Florida we have found orchids in the ditches as well as the vacant lots. Florida yielded wild coco, Eulophia alta, water-spider orchids, Habenaria repens, and a variety of Spiranthes of course. Wet ditches in otherwise dry areas in California had Epipactis gigantea,


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chatterbox, and Washington State yielded a race of Spiranthes romanzoffiana, hooded ladies�-tresses, growing in vacant lots near Sequim. Lastly, don�t be afraid to explore in your own back yard. We have found many orchids within a mile of our winter home in Florida. All you have to do is look and be open to the possibilities that an orchid might be there. There have even been records of orchids coming up in the crack in the cement sidewalks where the broad-leaved helleborine, Epipactis helleborine, can be quite at home. With an open mind and a keen eye you might just find a few jewels of your own! Good Exploring! Your Slow Empiricist

Stan Folsom with a roadside colony of Spiranthes ochroleuca in southern Nova Scotia

SOME NORTH AMERICAN ORCHID FACTOIDS

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(Updated for August 2006)

Did You Know????

There are 210 species plus an additional 3 subspecies and 24 varieties of native orchids found in North America north of Mexico for a total of 237? (Note: Opinions will always vary as to the precise number as different orchidists view species differently. The old lumpers vs. the splitters! This number takes the more open approach and embraces as many species as have been described. From a very conservative standpoint the number might be reduced to 234). We also have 14+ non-native or alien species that have been documented as naturalized, introduced, escaped, waifs, etc. Of these only 6 are truly naturalized and reproducing in populations in the wild.

• Cyrtopodium polyphyllum southern Florida • Epipactis helleborine much of the temperate United States and sparingly

in Canada • Listera ovata southern Ontario • Oeceoclades maculata southern and central Florida • Spathoglottis plicata southern Florida • Zeuxine strateumatica southeastern United States Both Dactylorhiza species founding Ontario and Newfoundland are of

questionable origin. For the combined total of 251 species, subspecies, and varieties that have been found growing in the wild in the North America north of Mexico plus more than 200 named color and growth forms: 112 species are found only in the US and Canada


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Four NEW orchids in North America Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis Piperia yadonii San Juan Islands, WA-Chelsea Kieffer Monterey Co., CA � Brad Kelley Spiranthes casei var. novaescotiae Malaxis wendtii Yarmouth Co., NS � P.M. Brown Brewster Co. TX � C. Pelchat


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The most recently discovered species new to the US is Microthelys rubrocallosa 2004 in Arizona Of this total 22 have been described as new species in the past 25 years.

• Calopogon oklahomensis D.H. Goldman

• Corallorhiza bentleyi Freudenstein

• Cypripedium kentuckiense C.F. Reed

• Deiregyne confusa Garay • Epidendrum floridense Hágsater • Galeandra bicarinata G.A.

Romero & P.M. Brown. • Govenia floridana P.M. Brown • Malaxis abieticola Salazar &

Soto Arenas • Malaxis wendtii Salazar • Piperia candida Morgan &

Ackerman • Piperia colemanii Morgan &

Glicenstein

• Piperia yadonii R. Morgan & J. Ackerman

• Platanthera pallida P.M. Brown • Platanthera praeclara Sheviak &

Bowles • Platanthera tescamnis Sheviak &

Jennings • Platanthera zothecina (Higgins &

Welsh) Kartesz & Gandhi • Schiedeella arizonica P.M. Brown • Spiranthes delitescens Sheviak • Spiranthes diluvialis Sheviak • Spiranthes eatonii Ames ex P.M.

Brown • Spiranthes infernalis Sheviak • Spiranthes sylvatica P.M. Brown

Also 8 new varieties have been described or revalidated at the varietal level

Corallorhiza maculata (Rafinesque) Rafinesque var. ozettensis E. Tisch Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Willdenow) Nuttall var. pringlei (Greenman) Freudenstein Cypripedium parviflorum Salisbury var. makasin (Farwell) Sheviak Hexalectris spicata (Walter) Barnhardt var. arizonica (S. Watson) Catling & Engel Epidendrum magnoliae Mühlenberg var. mexicanum (L.O. Williams) P.M. Brown Piperia elegans (Lindley) Rydberg subsp. decurtata Morgan & Glicenstein Spiranthes casei Catling & Cruise var. novaescotiae Catling Spiranthes ovalis Lindley var. erostellata Catling Triphora trianthophora (Swartz) Rydberg var. texensis P.M. Brown & R. Pike

28 new hybrids have been described in the past 25 years including:

• Cleistes xochlockoneensis P.M. Brown • Cypripedium xalaskanum P.M. Brown


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• Cypripedium xcolumbianum Sheviak • Cypripedium xherae Ewacha &

Sheviak • Liparis xjonesii S. Bentley • Listera xveltmanii Case • Platanthera xapalachicola P.M.

Brown & S. Stewart • Platanthera xandrewsii (Niles) Luer • Platanthera xbeckneri P.M. Brown • Platanthera xbicolor (Rafinesque)

Luer • Platanthera xcanbyi (Ames) Luer • Platanthera xchannellii Folsom • Platanthera xcorrellii Schrenck • Platanthera xestesii Schrenck • Platanthera xhollandiae Catling &

Brownell

• Platanthera xkeenanii P.M. Brown • Platanthera xlassenii Schrenk • Platanthera xlueri P.M. Brown • Platanthera xosceola P.M. Brown &

S. Stewart • Platanthera xreznicekii Catling,

Brownell & G. Allen • xPlatanthopsis vossii Case • Spiranthes xborealis P.M. Brown • Spiranthes xeamesii P.M. Brown • Spiranthes xfolsomii P.M. Brown • Spiranthes xitchetuckneensis P.M.

Brown • Spiranthes xintermedia Ames • Spiranthes xmeridionalis P.M. Brown • Spiranthes xsimpsonii Catling &

Sheviak Florida, not surprisingly, has the most species that are restricted to 1 state (73). Apart from non-natives other states, provinces, and countries in North America north of Mexico that have species, subspecies, or varieties restricted to just that state or province are: New York 1

• Platanthera pallida ENDEMIC California 4

• Piperia colemanii ENDEMIC • P. leptopetala ENDEMIC • P. michaelii ENDEMIC • P. elegans subsp. decurtata ENDEMIC • P. yadonii ENDEMIC

Nevada 1 • Spiranthes infernalis ENDEMIC

Arizona 4 • Corallorhiza maculata var. mexicana • Hexalectris revoluta var. colemanii ENDEMIC • Malaxis corymbosa • Microthelys rubrocallosa • Spiranthes delitescens ENDEMIC

New Mexico • 1 Platanthera brevifolia

Texas 7

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6

• Deiregyne confusa • Dichromanthus cinnabarinus • Hexalectris grandiflora • H. revoluta var. revoluta • Malaxis wendtii • Spiranthes parksii ENDEMIC • Triphora trianthophora var. texensis ENDEMIC

Alaska 5 • Cypripedium yatabeanum • Dactylorhiza aristata var. aristata • Dactylorhiza aristata var. kodiakensis • Platanthera tipuloides var. behringiana • Platanthera chorisiana

Nova Scotia 1 • Spiranthes casei var. novaescotiae ENDEMIC

Greenland 1 • Platanthera hyperborea ENDEMIC?

The most recently �rediscovered� species in the US are:

• Deiregyne confusa 2004 Texas • Ponthieva brittoniae 2004 Florida • Pelexia adnata 2004 Florida • Cranichis muscosa 2004 Florida

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Folsom: A CASE FOR EVOLUTION

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A CASE FOR EVOLUTION

Stan Folsom

Charles Darwin based his theory of evolution on observations of living things that have evolved and adapted to the changes that have occurred in their environment. He labeled this process as survival of the fittest. Orchids help to bear out Darwin�s tenets (Darwin, 1859, 1962). Orchids have been around as long as mankind and most likely well before that and although they are not well known from the fossil record. They are considered the most advanced form of flora on the planet with many varied adaptations that have helped them survive. They have met the changes that have occurred on this planet since they first appeared in the prime evil landscape in clever ways to ensure their survival. Orchids are continuing to evolve as they adapt to fit the conditions they encounter today. Orchids have seen the world change mightily over the millennia of their existence. Whole areas of the landmasses underwent massive alterations as lush, verdant areas gave way to encroaching deserts when weather patterns changed. Mountains pushed up in former plains and seas receded. Ice ages and cataclysmic events like gigantic volcanic eruptions or giant meteors striking the earth wrought havoc with living things. Yet orchids have endured and through adaptation have grown to over 30,000 species and spread to the four corners of the world. This paper explores some of the techniques orchids have used to maintain their viability on Earth. We will examine some of


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the mechanisms and strategies that North American orchids have developed to cope with these events that have changed their world. Let us examine the pollinization processes that orchids have devised to ensure their survival. This process has evolved to be very specific in many orchid species. They have unique techniques and attract only certain agents of pollination. As everyone knows orchids have 3 sepals and 3 petals with the stamen(s) and pistil fused into a column. The three petals consist of two lateral petals and the third petal is formed into a lip. The lip acts as both an attractant and landing platform for many pollinators. The many genera and species of orchids have lips in varying size, shape, and colors that entice many kinds of pollinators including butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, flies, and gnats, to name a few. Some orchids use scent, often at a specific time of day or night, to attract the pollinators, others brilliant color, and still others dynamic patterns. Many botanists have watched orchids hoping to discover the actual pollinators or kinds of actions that were required to ensure fertilization. Roger Hammer, of Homestead, Florida, spent several nights in the Fakahatchee Swamp to observe the giant nocturnal moth that pollinates the ghost orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii (Hammer, 1996).

Calopogons are constructed in such a way that their lip is uppermost. With the lip in this position when the heavy bee pollinator attaches itself to the attractive yellow beard (a false pollen) it snaps down with the bee�s weight and deposits the pollen brought from the bee�s visit to another blossom into contact with the flower�s stigmatic surface, therefore effecting pollination. Some species even allow rain, by assisting the transfer of the pollen, to act as the agent for pollination (Catling, 1980).


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Habenaria macroceratitis and H. quinqueseta have evolved so that they have long spurs that yield a reward for the long proboscis of its moth pollinators much as in the situation with the ghost orchid. The fringed orchids (Platanthera spp.) of North America are also pollinated in this manner ensuring their survival. Some orchids have developed the ability to self-pollinate. This way they do not have to rely on the presence of an outside agent such as a moth, fly, or bee to effect their fertilization. Genera such as Spiranthes and Corallorhiza have species that have evolved to the point that they do not even need to have their

flowers open to achieve fertilization. This mechanism is called cleistogamy�or fertilized within the bud. Other species of orchids and, yes there are other plants out there too, such as dandelions, Taraxacum officinale, are apomictic � developing seed without any agent of pollination and plants often are lacking in one or more of their critical sexual organs such as a rostellum

and the ovaries develop into embryos and the plants actually clone

themselves. This process often occurs in species that have originated from ancient hybridization and involve many species in their ancestral parentage.

Orchids have also devised means for survival through clever strategies like lying dormant for years

P. ciliaris

C. odontorhiza with cleistogamous flowers


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when growing conditions are not suitable. Some have become dependent on calamity to continue their existence. Wild fires, landslides, tornados and hurricanes all play their part in destroying natural areas but the fire-respondent and successional species of orchids have learned to take advantage of these opportunities to repopulate an area.

Orchid seeds are hardy as well as being able to remain dormant for some years, as they have been discovered in the upper stratosphere. Some tropical species, especially in places like Florida, are hardy enough so that they withstand freezes that destroy the plants but not their seeds which seem to have the ability to lodge in protective niches and survive. The Christmas Day freeze of 1989 in Florida took out entire colonies of tropical orchids but as of 2005 new young plants are growing in the areas where their parents used to exist suggesting that the seeds can withstand colder temperatures.

Some orchids have developed in special niches to ensure their survival. Spiranthes sylvatica prefers shady hedgerows while others prefer damp seep habitats. Some have adapted to wet conditions forming mats on streams or growing in wet bogs.

Then there are those that have taken to the trees and many have developed pseudobulbs to store water. Some, such as the ghost orchid and harrisella, are leafless and when out of flower are virtually invisible to predators.

Hybridization between orchid species is another form of insurance for survival if the new plants breed true in future generations. Scientist can now examine the DNA and determine the gene flow from the parents. They can also ascertain the new plants� status as diploid or polyploid. Sheviak (1982, 1991) has done much of this work on North American species and has clarified the status of several species especially in the genera Spiranthes and Platanthera..


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Casual observation can often notice differences in related species. Spiranthes cernua�a compilospecies�show gene flow or influence, from the basic diploid species that are found within its range. In the Northeast, Spiranthes cernua shows a marked influence of S. ochroleuca and in the Midwest of S. magnicamporum. Spiranthes diluvialis, an allotetraploid species derived from S. magnicamporum and S. romanzoffiana has evolved into a solid, wide-ranging species that although still rare, often occurs now where neither ancestral parent may be found (Sheviak, 1984).

Lastly, alien species have arrived whether having been borne in on storm winds or hitchhiking a ride in cargo from far off lands or brought to our shores as a garden plant. An example in Florida is Zeuxine, the lawn orchid, our only annual orchid, and has seeded in all over the place but does not drive out native species. Zeuxine has been documented to have arrived in lawn seed from the Far East in the 1920s. Another example would be Oeceoclades maculata, the African spotted orchid with its beautiful mottled leaves. This species started to appear about 25 years ago and has now insinuated itself through central and southern Florida. It is assumed it first arrived as wind-borne seed from Africa and has also colonized several islands in the Caribbean. Further north Epipactis helleborine, the broad-leaved helleborine, has been known in North America for more than a century after it was first seen near Syracuse, New York. It is now found throughout most of temperate North America and shows a decided fondness for

S. diluvialis


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calcareous habitats and even in the cracks of the sidewalks in Boston! Dactylorhiza found in Ontario and Newfoundland present another problem in that although the species are European in their primary distribution. Their arrival in northern North America has not been documented and as they are in similar habitats as in northern Europe their alien status is unsure.

Orchids are still evolving and meeting the conditions of their environment. There are orchids that have adapted to mowing and consistently bloom on spikes that stay below the mowers blades. Orchids have seeded into human areas where they can find the right conditions such as the lime leaching from cement sidewalks and roadways. They are traveling on hurricanes, in cargoes from other countries, along railways and roadways as they seed into new places.

Whatever the process, however, North American orchids have proven they are survivors and will hopefully be around for many more millennia to come. The prospect invites conjecture as to what new and exciting forms will evolve in the future.

Literature Cited: Catling, P. M. 1980. Rain-assisted autogamy in Liparis loeselii (L.) L. C. Rich.

(Orchidaceae). Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club107:525-529. Darwin, C. 1859. On the origin of species by means of natural selection. London. John

Murray. [1st edn]. -------. 1862. On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are

fertilised by insects. London. John Murray. Hammer, R. 1996. A Week in the Fakahatchee. Orchids. 65(3): 252-261. Sheviak, C. J. 1982. Biosystematic study of the Spiranthes cernua

complex. Bull. New York State Mus. Sci. Serv. 448. ------. 1984. Spiranthes diluvialis (Orchidaceae), a new species from the

western United States. Brittonia 36: 8–14. ------. 1991. Morphological variation in the compilospecies Spiranthes

cernua (L.) L.C. Rich.: Ecologically-limited effects of gene flow. Lindleyana 6: 228–234.

Stan Folsom, 10896 SW 90th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34481. Stan has written numerous articles for the NANOJ and is a fine artist whose work is found in the series of orchid field guides co-authored with Paul Martin Brown.

Documents

2005 Compilation North American Native Orchid Journal