1920] - Lownes,—Notes on Pogonia trianthophora 53 
(P. rotundifolia of Barton). Similarly, in describing his P. cordata, 
Andres compares his plant with P. americana, but says that it has 
the "Blüten . . . chlorantha-àhnlich . . . vielleicht nur eine 
geographische Rasse derselben." While typical P. chlorantha in 
America belongs chiefly in the Canadian region, and var. paucifolia 
primarily to the mountain-slopes of northern New England and 
adjacent regions, var. convoluta is a more southern extreme which 
does not ascend to noteworthy altitudes. 
Gray HERBARIUM. 
NOTES ON POGONIA TRIANTHOPHORA. 
ALBERT E. LOWNEs. 
Or all the Orchidaceae found in the region about Asquam Lake, 
New Hampshire, Pogonia trianthophora (Sw.) BSP. is without doubt 
the most interesting. It was first reported in 1898 when a single 
station was found. Now there are six known stations, scattered 
over a comparatively small area, and containing between five and 
ten thousand plants. An intensive study of the plant began in 
1917, and after three years of observation it is possible to note the 
following facts. 
An unusual feature is the close colonial manner of growth, twenty 
to forty plants occurring within a square foot. "These colonies are 
found in pockets or hollows in beech woods, which are filled with 
the decaying leaf-mold without soil. Late in July or early August 
the little pointed tip of the lowest leaf makes its appearance. Under 
favorable weather conditions the stem lengthens rapidly, and in a 
week the flowers are borne. The flowers are erect, white (rarely 
pink), the anther deep magenta. 
Fertilization, which is rare, is effected by a species of small bee 
(Halictus quadrimaculatus). The bee forces his way into the 
blossom, hitting the anther as he goes, and loosening but not 
detaching it. As he backs out, the pollinia adhere to his thorax. 
The flower then nods and becomes a pale buff color. The seed 
rarely ripens at Squam Lake. 
