"demonstrably secure globally, though it may be 

 guite rare in parts of its range": (global rank = 

 G5) . In Montana, it is listed as "endangered in 

 state" (6-20 occurrences; state rank = S2). 



None of these state ranks currently provide any 

 direct legal protection for O. rotundifolia . 

 Through its inclusion on the Region 1 sensitive 

 plant list, the species has legal protection under 

 U.S. Forest Service agency policies (W. Ruediger, 

 pers. comm. ) . 



DESCRIPTION 



GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Orchis 

 rotundifolia is characterized by a single stem 

 with a solitary, roundish basal leaf. Stems reach 

 only 8 inches in height. The basal leaf may be up 

 to 4 inches long. The 2-8 flowers (to 0.8 inches 

 long) , face nearly the same direction in the 

 inflorescence. The flowers have 3 sepals (outer 

 floral leaves) that are white to pinkish in color. 

 Only the upper sepal is distinctly hood-shaped, 

 while the 2 lateral sepals are lance-shaped. All 

 of these have wavy margins. The upper 2 petals of 

 the flower are more lance-shaped while the lower 

 petal forms a broad fringed lip. These petals are 

 also white or pinkish in color and have wavy 

 margins. The lower lip petal is distinctive for 

 its magenta or purple spots (rarely streaked) . 



This perennial plant flowers from June to early 

 July (in Montana). It later forms capsules that 

 contain numerous tiny seeds. See color photos of 

 plants and habitat. Appendix B, pp. 17-20. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Plant glabrous, 

 rhizomatous-stoloniferous, mostly 10-20 cm. (8-16 

 in.) tall, scapose; the base of the stem with 1-3 

 sheathing bracts and a single sessile to short- 

 petiolate leaf, the blade broadly elliptic to 

 suborbicular 3-9 cm, (1.2-3.6 in.) long; raceme 

 mostly 2-8 ( 15) -flowered , flowers generally rather 

 crowded, subtended by greenish or purplish, 

 lanceolate bracts about as long as the ovary; 

 sepals 5-nerved, whitish to light pink, the upper 

 one ovate, rounded, 6-10 mm (0.24-0.40 in.) long, 

 erect and with the slightly connivent petals 

 forming a hood over the column; lower sepals 

 spreading, somewhat oblique; petals pink, slightly 

 shorter than the sepals, usually 3-nerved; lip 

 white to pinkish, magenta-purplish spotted ( or 



