182 CLASS GVNANDRIA- 



petals ; and, as well as the whole raceme of flowers, 

 is of a bright orange inclining to white. This species 

 is, again, scarcely to be distinguished from the O. ble- 

 phariglottis, excepting by the snow white elegant 

 flowers, and shorter lip of the latter. The O. psyccdes 

 has greenish flowers with a 3-parted lip, having its 

 segments divided like hairs, and below a long filiform, 

 clavate, ascending spur. Another, rather common 

 species, in the northern states, flowering in July, is the 

 O. fimbriate, bearing racemes of fine purple flowers, 

 and having a 3-parted lip, scarcely longer than the 

 petals, with the segments cuneiform (or wedge-shaped), 

 and ciliately fringed ; the lateral petals are also a little 

 torn ; the spur filiform, clavate, and longer than the 

 germ. There are 2 or 3 other species very similar to 

 this, of which the O. grandiflora is the most beautiful 

 for the superior size, and often, fragrance of its flowers. 

 All these species, except the first, are by some refer- 

 red to Habenaria, but do not appear possessed of any 

 very obvious distinguishing trait, and are not to be 

 known apart by aspect or habit. 



Of the genus Neottia, or its subgenus Spiranthes 

 of Richard, we have several species, common both in 

 dry sandy woods, and in wet meadows. These come 

 out late in the season, have all white flowers inclined 

 to one side, and form a twisted or spiral wreath like a 

 stair-case of the same construction. The genus is 

 characterized as follows. The corolla is ringent, with 

 the 2 lower petals passing beneath the lip, which is 

 beardless ; the interior petals are connivent. The 

 column (or style) apterous (or wingless) ; the pollen 

 farinaceous. The leaves of the species vary a little- 

 in form, and the stems are nearly naked. In the fol- 

 lowing genera the pollinia are inserted in a lid at the 

 summit of the stigma. 



One of our most common little plants, in swamps 



