©rcbis jfamllp. 



Habenaria Hookeri. 



Found along swamps, or in woods, in June. 



The angular, somewhat twisted, green flower-stem rises from 

 between two leaves, to the height of 8 or 12 inches. 



The large and rounding leaf is 3 or 4 inches broad, and not greatly 

 longer ; it has many parallel ribs marking it underneath, a thick and 

 leathery texture, and a smooth, very glossy surface. The color is a 

 strong dark green, the underside being covered with a pale bloom. 

 The two leaves are opposite each other, lying upon the ground. 



The flower is rather noticeable in shape, for the lip is wide at the 

 base, with a pointed and much curving tip ; the upright petals are very 

 sharp-pointed (like a scimetar), and their needle-like tips cross each 

 other ; the spur is a trifle longer than the foot-stem, and very slender ; 

 the broad upright part of the calyx behind the upper petals curves 

 forward over them, and nearly meets the upward curve of the lip (thus 

 increasing a resemblance to a pair of nippers) ; the side calyx-parts are 

 oblong, with fine tips, which turn back. In color all parts of the flower 

 are green, the lip tending somewhat toward yellow. The flowers are 

 set, on twisted foot-stems, alternately, and a certain space apart, in a 

 spike ; they each spring from the angle of a sharp-pointed little leaf 

 (or bract) which is longer than the foot-stems. 



One of the most interesting features of this Orchid is the peculiar 

 varnished appearance of the underside of the foot-leaf. 



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