Galearis spectabilis

"Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf., commonly known as showy orchis or showy orchid,[2] is an orchid species of the genus Galearis. It is native to eastern Canada (Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick) and much of the eastern half of the United States (from southeastern Oklahoma east to eastern South Dakota and north to Maine and Minnesota)"

Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf., Herb. Rafinesq. 72 (1833).

 

Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf., Photo by Paul Eastwood

its native range is E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A.

Latin Name: 

Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf. 

Family: 

Orchidaceae Juss.

Synonym:

Galearis biflora Raf.

Galearis spectabilis f. albiflora (Ulke) C.F.Reed

Galearis spectabilis f. gordinieri (House) R.E.Whiting & Catling

Galearis spectabilis f. willeyi (F.Seym.) P.M.Br.

Galeorchis spectabilis (L.) Rydb.

Galeorchis spectabilis f. gordinieri House

Habenaria humilis (Michx.) Sw.

Habenaria spectabilis (L.) Spreng.

Orchis humilis Michx.

Orchis spectabilis L.

Orchis spectabilis f. albiflora Ulke

Orchis spectabilis f. gordinieri Weath.

Orchis spectabilis var. lilacina Ames

Orchis spectabilis f. willeyi F.Seym.

English Name:

Showy Orchis.

Description: 

A small plant reaching a height of 6-12 in. Has glossy green basal leaves. Flowers are a short raceme, violet purple with white lips.

Distribution:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Ecological:

Moist, calcareous woodlands, thickets, and old fields; 0-1300 m.

Flowering times:

Blooms in the spring.

Flower size:

1.5 cm.

Cultivation:

Best grown in loose, organically rich, moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Leaf mold should be worked into the soil and may also be used as a mulch. Plants need good air circulation. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Plants observed growing in the wild transplant poorly and should not be dug for use in home gardens. Once established, plants are best left undisturbed. Plants are difficult to grow from seed. Plants prefer cool summer conditions and are not recommended for growing in areas south of USDA Zone 7.

Type:

Herbaceous perennial.

Uses:

Wildflower gardens. Woodland areas. Wooded slopes.

Reference: 

- theplantlist.org

- ipni.org/n/635315-1

- science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:619636-1

- gardensoftheblueridge.com/products/galearis-spectabilis-orchis-spectabilis-showy-orchid

- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galearis_spectabilis

- orchidspecies.com/bulbnewportii.htm. 

- powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:635315-1

- andysorchids.com/pictureframe.asp?picId=6923

- missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=283507&isprofile=0&n=1

- efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101637