Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Showy Orchis, Orchis spectabilis

This orchid is getting very difficult to find. Photographed in southern Michigan in 2008. Now called Galearis spectabilis.

3 comments:

Jeff Sherry said...

Beautiful. Is it due to loss of habitat or global warming that makes this lovely orchid difficult to find?

Keith Board said...

Loss of habitat and degradation of habitat are probably involved. Maybe loss of bees, too. If I was at the southern limit of its range and saw it receding northward, I'd consider global warming, but it ranges from Canada all the way south to the gulf, and I'm in Indiana.

Jeff Sherry said...

Thanks Keith. I lived in Indiana for 20 years and never saw an orchid.