142 OUR NATIVE ORCHIDS 



not as apt to be overlooked or mistaken for a naked stalk 

 of seed pods as some of the smaller Coralroots. 



The flowers grow stiffly erect on the scape, but droop on 

 lengthened pedicels in fruit. 



The petals of this species are narrow and about a quarter 

 of an inch long and somewhat spotted. The lip with its 

 alluring spots has a peculiar shape. It is oval in general 

 outline, but is three lobed. At the upper part there is a 

 deep constriction that gives the effect of a pair of rings. 

 Often there is another hour-glass constriction on the lower 

 portion. At the throat above the spots are two distant 

 ridges which undoubtedly guide the insect's tongue to its 

 destruction. 



The knob on the ovary that serves for a spur is quite 

 distinct in this species and makes one wonder whether in the 

 course of gradual development the Coralroots began to 

 evolve a spur, and finally some more perfectly adapted 

 species was developed that carried it to perfection, as in the 

 Habenarias, or whether the knob or wart pressed close to 

 the orary is a survival of a once more perfectly developed 

 spur with a honey sac. The lack of leaves and the general 

 degenerate character of the Coralroots seem to indicate 

 that the spur is a survival rather than a forerunner of 

 spurred flowers. 



The Large Coralroot is found in the woods of the 

 Northern States. It extends as far north as Nova Scotia and 

 British Columbia. It grows in Florida, Missouri, Wash- 

 ington State and California; and the explorers of the 40th 



