LOESEL'S TWAYBLADE 



Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. 



May- 

 Woods, thickets, swamps 



At about the time when greater twayblades 

 bloom, a kindred species, Loesel's tway- 

 blade, also comes into bloom in swamps and 

 damp thickets. The flower, however, is smaller and is yellow-green, and 

 the shining leaves are arranged along the erect stalk. The plant has 

 that "look of orchids" but is less conspicuous and less dramatic than the 

 greater twayblade with its magnificent simplicity and its simple mag- 

 nificence. 



Illinois is not often recognized as an orchid-growing state, yet there 

 are at least thirty-three species of the Orchid family to be found in 

 Illinois. A new one for the state, crested coral root (Hexalectris spicata) 

 was discovered in 1949 by Dr. Glen 8. Winterringer, assistant botanist 

 at the Illinois State Museum, during field work in southern Illinois. On 

 any field trip another new orchid may be found. But so inconspicuous 

 are some of our orchids that they may be easily missed even by the 

 experienced botanical eye, or may be calmly devoured by cows, just as the 

 pink mocassin is devoured by deer in the nortliern wilderness. 



Loesel's twayblade has a single stalk of inconspicuous flo^\•ers which 

 rises from a pair of pale green, glossy leaves clasping the stem. 



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