Coralroot

My neighbour came over to say she found a neat plant back in the bush and wanted me to come see. As we walked she described it to me. I said it sounds like coralroot and it was. I have had them grow in one general area of my front yard over the years we've been here. This year I have only one shoot. I went to email her the link to my site regarding Coralroot only to find I've never written anything up on it. So I'm about to rectify that!

Coralroots cannot be cultivated as they are parasitic and grow in a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi. As a result, they can be found in a place one year and not the next. I notice the one growing in my yard this year isn't in quite the same place as in other years. The coralroot growing in my yard is the Ozette Coralroot but I have also found Spotted Oralroot growing in the woods not far away.

Ozette Coralroot (awaiting confirmation on this)

Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis

2009 June 7

2008 June 11

2008 June 14

2008 June 12

2008 July 2

Spotted Coralroot

Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata

2010 June 14

Link: http://www.wanativeorchids.com/Corallorhiza/index.html

Rein Orchid: Round-Leaved

"Round-Leaved Rein-Orchid" (Platanthera orbiculata)

I saw this plant on the forest floor in May. Not knowing what it was, I began tracking its progress:

2008 May 16

2008 May 21

2008 May 23

2008 June 19

2008 July 8

A Round-Leaved Rein Orchid! It is growing in a deep covering of trees and woodland plants. If I wouldn't have noticed it before the other forest floor "stuff" had grown up, and marked the spot, I would have missed this plant all together. I have only found one off these. We live in an arid area so am surprised to have found one at all! Again, it is growing in that area where I suspect an underground water source. I took the pictures without a flash. The last picture was so shady I had the ISO cranked up to 800 ... not quite as sharp as I would have liked. If I get a chance, I'll try again. Usually the mosquitoes are attacking me as well ... a bit distracting ... trying to be still enough to take a shot while they are sticking their stickers into your hand ... in full view! Arrrgghhh!!!

First Nation peoples made a poultice of leaves which they applied to sores caused by scrofula, to cuts, as well as to blisters on hands and feet.

This species apparently has the largest flowers of all western rein orchids. I read that several kinds of moths feed on this plant's nectar and probably pollinate the flower.

Plantain: Rattlesnake

Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia)

2008 June 2

2008 June 19

2008 June 24

2008 July 1

2008 July 20

2008 July 27

2008 July 31

2008 May 18

This plant was growing in our own back yard so it was easy to document its progress!

The leaves were sometimes used as a poultice for cuts and sores or, a concoction was made for ulcer and stomach troubles. Some First Nations women chewed the leaves to ease childbirth.

Fairy Slipper Orchid

"Fairyslipper" (Calypso bulbosa)

2008 May 12
In 2007 the Fairy Slippers were well into bloom by May 10
but we've had a much cooler spring this year.

2007 May 10

2007 May 10

2007 May 10

2008 June 19
I checked on the orchids this day
and all that remained on one of the plants was this seed pod?

We actually have these growing in one corner of our yard. We also found a number growing back on the deer trails. A delicate and very sensitive beauty (it has a very sensitive root system and only grows in association with a specific fungi). Disturb them (even by picking the flower) and they just won't grow ... so please don't be tempted to pick the flowers! It is one of those beauties that should only be admired from the distance ... or down on your knees at eye level ... no touching! First Nation peoples would eat the corms.